When is Boxing Day?

Upcoming dates

• 2026Sat, December 26
• 2027Sun, December 26
• 2028Tue, December 26
• 2029Wed, December 26

When is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day always falls on December 26, a fixed calendar date, so the weekday changes from year to year. When it lands on a weekend, a substitute day off is often given in the following days.

It is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth nations, and in Ireland it is observed as St. Stephen's Day. It is not a public holiday in the United States, where December 26 is an ordinary day for most people.

The origins of the name

The exact origin is not certain, but the name is generally linked to the tradition of giving a 'Christmas box,' a gift or money, to servants, tradespeople, and those in need around this time of year. Servants who worked on Christmas Day were often given the following day off to visit their families.

Another connection is to church alms boxes, whose contents were distributed to the poor after Christmas. Over time the day became an established public holiday across Britain and much of the Commonwealth.

How Boxing Day is spent

For many people the day is now associated with relaxing after Christmas, spending time with family, and enjoying leftovers. It is also one of the biggest shopping days of the year in countries that observe it, with major sales in shops and online.

Sport is a strong tradition on Boxing Day, especially football matches in England and cricket in Australia, where the Boxing Day Test is a fixture of the calendar. Outdoor walks and gatherings are also common ways to pass the day.

Frequently asked questions

When is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is on December 26, 2026.

What day of the week is Boxing Day?

This year, Boxing Day falls on a Saturday.

How many days until Boxing Day?

114 days.