Boxing Day, except when December 26 is a Sunday. If it is a Sunday, Boxing Day is transferred toDecember 27by Royal Proclamation. (Commonwealth of Nations), and its related observances:
Day of Good Will(South AfricaandNamibia), Family Day (Vanuatu), Thanksgiving (Solomon Islands)
Boxing Day is celebrated annually on December 26 in many Commonwealth nations as a time for giving, relaxation, and community gatherings. It also includes related observances such as the Day of Good Will in South Africa and Namibia, Family Day in Vanuatu, and Thanksgiving in the Solomon Islands.
Boxing Day originated in the United Kingdom as a day when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts known as Christmas boxes from their employers or customers. It is now observed as a public holiday across the Commonwealth, marked by charitable events, sporting fixtures, and family gatherings. When December 26 falls on a Sunday, Boxing Day is traditionally transferred to December 27 by Royal Proclamation. In South Africa and Namibia, it is recognized as the Day of Good Will to honor generosity to those in need. Vanuatu celebrates Family Day on this date with community festivities, while the Solomon Islands observe Thanksgiving with church services and family meals. The modern holiday blends historical customs with contemporary leisure activities such as shopping and outdoor sports.
Boxing Day
December 27
Commonwealth of Nations
Day of Good Will
South Africa
Namibia
Family Day (Vanuatu)
Thanksgiving (Solomon Islands)
Christianfeast day:
Abadiu of Antinoe(Coptic Church), Earliest day on whichFeast of the Holy Familycan fall, celebrated on Sunday after Christmas or 30 if Christmas falls on a Sunday., James the Just(Eastern Orthodox Church), Saint Stephen(Western Church), Synaxis of the Theotokos(Eastern Orthodox Church), December 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day honoring figures such as Saint Stephen, James the Just, and the Synaxis of the Theotokos, observed across Coptic, Eastern Orthodox, and Western churches.
December 26 marks several Christian commemorations around the world. The Coptic Church celebrates Abadiu of Antinoe, a martyred bishop, while Eastern Orthodox Christians honor James the Just, regarded as the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Western churches observe Saint Stephen, recognized as the first Christian martyr, with liturgical readings and special services. The Feast of the Holy Family may also fall on this date, celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas or on December 30 if Christmas Day is a Sunday. Eastern Orthodox liturgics include the Synaxis of the Theotokos, a gathering in honor of Mary, the Mother of God. These observances reflect the diversity of Christian traditions and their shared focus on faith, sacrifice, and familial devotion.
feast day
Abadiu of Antinoe
Coptic Church
Feast of the Holy Family
James the Just
Eastern Orthodox Church
Saint Stephen
Western Church
Synaxis of the Theotokos
December 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Independence and Unity Day (Slovenia)
Slovenia's Independence and Unity Day commemorates the 1990 plebiscite where Slovenians voted overwhelmingly for independence from Yugoslavia.
On December 26, 1990, over 88% of Slovenian voters participated in a referendum endorsing independence and sovereignty from Yugoslavia. Known as Independence and Unity Day, it marks the beginning of Slovenia's journey as a modern nation-state. The holiday is celebrated with official ceremonies, cultural performances, and public gatherings across the country. Citizens reflect on the peaceful struggle for self-determination and the importance of national solidarity. Parades, concerts, and civic events emphasize Slovenia's unique heritage and democratic values. This day fosters a sense of unity among Slovenians as they honor the collective decision that shaped their country's future.
Independence and Unity Day (Slovenia)
Mauro HamzaDay (Houston, Texas)
Mauro Hamza
Houston, Texas
Mummer's Day(Padstow,Cornwall)
Padstow's Mummer's Day is a centuries-old Cornish folk celebration on Boxing Day featuring masked dancers, music, and traditional rituals.
Mummer's Day in Padstow revives ancient winter customs that date back hundreds of years in Cornwall. Locals don colorful costumes and elaborate masks to perform dances and processions through the streets. Musicians play traditional tunes on fiddles, accordion, and drums to accompany the performers. The event centers on the 'White Boys' and 'Mummers' who enact short plays and greet spectators with festive cheer. Community members gather to share food and drink, reinforcing bonds and preserving regional heritage. Despite the chilly weather, joyful energy and warmth of the festivities make Padstow's Mummer's Day a highlight of the holiday season.
Mummer's Day
Padstow
Cornwall
Saint Stephen's Day(public holiday inAlsace, Austria,Catalonia,Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy,Ireland,Luxembourg, Poland,Slovakiaand Switzerland), and its related observances:
Father's Day(Bulgaria)
Saint Stephen's Day commemorates Christianity's first martyr and is observed as a public holiday in many European regions, with related observances such as Bulgaria's Father's Day.
Celebrated on December 26, Saint Stephen's Day honors the first Christian martyr with church services, prayers, and charitable works. In countries like Austria, Croatia, and Germany, it is a public holiday marked by family gatherings and outdoor events. In Catalonia and parts of Italy, parades and reenactments of Saint Stephen's legend bring communities together. Austria's festive traditions include Christmas markets extended into Boxing Day. Bulgaria observes Father's Day on this date to recognize paternal relationships within families. From Ireland's sporting matches to Switzerland's regional customs, Saint Stephen's Day blends religious reverence with local cultural celebrations.
Saint Stephen's Day
Alsace
Catalonia
Croatia
Ireland
Luxembourg
Slovakia
Father's Day
The first day ofKwanzaa, celebrated until January 1 (United States)
The first day of Kwanzaa marks the beginning of a week-long celebration of African heritage, unity, and cultural values in the United States.
Kwanzaa begins on December 26 and continues through January 1, celebrating African roots and communal principles known as Nguzo Saba. The first principle, Umoja (Unity), is symbolized by lighting the black candle in the Kinara. Families gather for feasts called Karamu, share stories, and exchange handmade gifts. Ceremonies include music, dance, and readings that highlight African customs and values. Community centers and cultural organizations often host public events, educational workshops, and artistic performances. Kwanzaa fosters reflection on heritage, social responsibility, and collective progress among African-American communities.
Kwanzaa
The first day ofJunkanoostreet parade, the second day is on theNew Year's Day(The Bahamas)
The first day of Junkanoo, the vibrant Bahamian street parade, bursts with colorful costumes, rhythmic music, and high-energy dancing.
Junkanoo in the Bahamas traces its roots to West African traditions brought by enslaved people during the colonial era. Participants create elaborate costumes adorned with feathers, sequins, and cardboard to form striking patterns and designs. Parades kick off in the early hours, with music driven by goatskin drums, cowbells, and conch shells. Teams compete for top honors in categories like music, dance, and visual impact. Streets in Nassau and other islands fill with spectators who enjoy the festive spectacle and local cuisine. Junkanoo showcases national pride, communal creativity, and the enduring spirit of Bahamian culture.
Junkanoo
New Year's Day
The Bahamas
The second day of theTwelve Days of Christmas(Western Christianity)
Second day of Christmas (Public holiday inthe Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia)
The second day of Christmas continues the festive season in Western Christianity and is a public holiday in the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia.
In Western Christian tradition, December 26 is celebrated as the second day of the Twelve Days of Christmas, following Christmas Day. Liturgical services emphasize gratitude for the Nativity and include special prayers and hymns. In the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia, this day is observed as a public holiday, with families gathering for meals and extended celebrations. Gift exchanges may continue, and many attend additional church services. Cultural events, such as concerts and performances, mark the occasion in urban centers. This period of festivity underscores the enduring joy and communal spirit of the Christmas season.
Twelve Days of Christmas
the Netherlands
Wren Day(Irelandand theIsle of Man)
Wren Day, or Wren's Day, is celebrated in Ireland and the Isle of Man with music, costumes, and the pursuit of the symbolic wren bird.
Wren Day traditions date back to Celtic folklore, where the wren was once considered the king of birds. On December 26, 'wren boys' dress in straw suits, colorful ribbons, and masks to parade through towns and villages. They carry decoy wrens or boxes adorned with the bird's image while singing traditional songs and playing instruments like tin whistles and drums. Donations collected during the procession are given to support local schools and hospitals. Celebrations often culminate in communal dances, feasting, and storytelling that honor the cycle of life and death. This unique custom reflects the blending of pagan heritage and Christian symbolism in Irish culture.
Wren Day
Ireland
Isle of Man
Day of Good Will(South AfricaandNamibia)
A public holiday observed in South Africa and Namibia on December 26, promoting unity and goodwill after Christmas.
The Day of Goodwill was established to foster reconciliation and kindness among communities in South Africa and Namibia. Falling on December 26, it provides an opportunity for people to extend generosity beyond the Christmas celebrations. Many individuals and organizations engage in charitable activities, support disadvantaged groups, and volunteer in social projects. Families and friends often gather to reflect on the true spirit of giving. The holiday underscores national solidarity and the importance of caring for one another. It serves as a reminder to spread compassion and mutual respect in everyday life.
Day of Good Will
South Africa
Namibia
Family Day (Vanuatu)
A national public holiday in Vanuatu celebrating the importance of family unity and togetherness.
Family Day in Vanuatu is observed on December 26 each year. It is a time when families come together to enjoy shared meals, outdoor activities, and cultural traditions. Many workplaces and schools close for the day to allow people to focus on loved ones. Community events, such as beach gatherings and local performances, strengthen family bonds and cultural identity. The holiday highlights the role of family support and community cohesion in Vanuatu's society. It encourages reflection on familial relationships and appreciation for generational connections.
Family Day (Vanuatu)