Is Christmas Eve a holiday?
Christmas Eve is December 24. It is not a regular federal holiday, but in years when Christmas falls on a Saturday (like 2027) federal offices observe Christmas on December 24, and several states close offices every year.
Next Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24, 2026Christmas Eve dates, 2026–2031
Rule: December 24.
What’s open on Christmas Eve
| Service | Typical status |
|---|---|
| Banks | Open* Open; many branches close early |
| Post office / mail delivery | Open* Open; some offices close early |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Early close Early close at 1:00 p.m. ET in 2026; closed in 2027 |
| Federal offices | Open Open, except when it is the observed Christmas holiday (2027) or the President grants the day off |
| State offices | Some closed Closed in some states (see the list on this page) |
| Public schools | Varies Most closed for winter break |
Christmas Eve is a regular weekday for most schedules, with early closings common. In 2027 federal offices and the stock market observe Christmas on December 24. Check any date with the holiday status checker.
States that close for Christmas Eve in 2026
These states list December 24, 2026 on the official calendars Daymark has checked. Others, plus cities and counties, may also close; check the local government.
| State | Listed as | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Christmas Eve | Offices closed |
| Colorado | Governor’s Holiday Paid administrative leave granted by the Governor for 2026, not a statutory holiday. | Offices closed |
| Georgia | Washington’s Birthday (observed) Moved from February | Offices closed |
| Indiana | Washington’s Birthday (observed) Moved from February | Offices closed |
| Kansas | Christmas Eve | Offices closed |
| Kentucky | Christmas Eve | Offices closed |
| Michigan | Christmas Eve | Offices closed |
| North Carolina | Christmas | Offices closed |
| North Dakota | Christmas Eve Offices close at noon | Half day |
| Oklahoma | Christmas Additional Christmas holiday | Offices closed |
| South Carolina | Christmas Eve | Offices closed |
| Tennessee | Christmas (additional day) Added by the Governor | Offices closed |
| Texas | Christmas Eve Day | Offices closed |
| Virginia | Additional holiday time 8 hours | Partial day |
| West Virginia | Christmas Eve | Half day |
| Wisconsin | Christmas Eve Day | Offices closed |
The story behind Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is the evening before Christmas Day. In Christian tradition the celebration of Jesus’s birth begins at sundown, which is why many churches hold candlelight services and midnight Mass on December 24.
It has never been a permanent federal holiday, but presidents have sometimes given federal employees the day off by executive order, usually announced late in the year.
When Christmas Eve becomes the federal holiday
When December 25 falls on a Saturday, federal offices observe Christmas on Friday, December 24, and the stock market closes that day too. That happens in 2027. Not everything follows: the Federal Reserve stays open on the Friday before a Saturday holiday, and USPS observes the holiday on the Saturday itself, so most banks and post offices are open on December 24, 2027.
How it’s celebrated
Traditions vary widely: candlelight services, midnight Mass, the Italian-American Feast of the Seven Fishes, Nochebuena dinners in many Latino families, and children tracking Santa’s route, a NORAD tradition since 1955.
In 2027 Christmas Eve is the observed federal holiday, but most banks and post offices are still expected to open, because the Federal Reserve and USPS handle Saturday holidays differently.
Planning around the day
Expect early closings: the stock market closes at 1:00 p.m. ET when December 24 is a weekday, and many banks, post offices and stores close early. Finish shipping, banking and government errands by December 23 if you can.
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas Eve a federal holiday?
Not usually. It becomes the observed federal holiday only when Christmas falls on a Saturday, as in 2027. Presidents sometimes give federal workers the day off by executive order.
Is the stock market open on Christmas Eve?
In 2026, NYSE closes early at 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 24. In 2027 the market is closed on December 24 for the observed Christmas holiday.
Is the post office open on Christmas Eve?
Usually yes, though some locations close early. USPS observes Christmas on December 25 even when it falls on a Saturday, so post offices are expected to be open on December 24, 2027 as well.
Sources and how we check
Federal holiday dates and observed-day rules follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Market dates follow the NYSE holiday calendar; bank dates follow the Federal Reserve. Read our editorial policy or report a correction.