People around the world celebrate Boxing Day on December 26. Although Americans don't recognize Boxing Day as a holiday, people in many other parts of the world, including Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Australia, look forward to the day after Christmas each year.
When Christmas Day is a Sunday, the Boxing Day holiday is still observed on Monday 26 December, with the substitute holiday for Christmas Day observed on Tuesday 27 December.
The U.S. is one of the few English-speaking countries — and former British colonies — that doesn't celebrate Boxing Day. In fact, when Christmas falls on a weekday, it's just another day and employees head back to work.
The following holidays are observed by the majority of US businesses with paid time off: New Year's Day, New Year's Eve, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after known as Black Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas.
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What do Americans do on Christmas Day?
The most important day in the United States is December 25th, which is Christmas Day. It is usually celebrated with a big family dinner in the style of Thanksgiving dinner and usually includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and salty meat pies. Plus, it's the day Santa Claus arrives!
Winter Break: Around two weeks in late December to early January. Spring Break: A one-week break, usually in March or April. Summer Break: A long break lasting about 8-12 weeks, typically from late May or early June to mid-August or early September.
The U.S. is one of the few English-speaking countries that does not recognize Boxing Day. Americans don't celebrate mainly because the country is not part of the British Commonwealth and the holiday did not become officially recognized until 1871, almost a century after the U.S. gained independence.
Contrary to popular belief, Boxing Day doesn't actually have anything to do with the sport of boxing. Its name is believed to come from Victorian times (the 1800s) when the rich used to box up presents to give to the poor, on the day after Christmas Day.
On Boxing Day many retailers heavily discount everything from toys to electronics. Much like the Black Friday sales kickstart the Christmas shopping, you could say that the Boxing Day sales wrap it up.
Regrettably, with no significant national celebrations on the horizon, there are currently no plans to add any extra bank holidays to the eight days we'll receive in 2026. The next bank holiday in England and Wales is Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day), followed by Boxing Day - Friday, December 26.
It is celebrated every year on December 26, the day after Christmas. The holiday was previously known as Boxing Day. Other countries—such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia—also celebrate December 26 as a public holiday. In England it is still known as Boxing Day.
December 26 is a day off for most workers where it's a state holiday. In places where it's not a public holiday, most families use up a vacation day, as most schools are closed. US presidents have given federal government workers either a full or half day off in some years.
Several federal holidays are widely observed by private businesses with paid time off. These include New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Traditionally, Boxing Day was a day for heading out, and you might well feel drawn to the idea of escaping the house after spending Christmas Day cooped up. If you don't fancy a traditional panto (oh yes you do!) or a football match, you could join thousands of others and have a wild swim, or simply a good long walk.
Boxing Day / St Stephen's Day / 26th December is also a public holiday in other countries such as the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (If Christmas is at the weekend, normally the next working day is made into a public holiday as a 'substitute' for Boxing Day).
So, first things first… although Boxing Day has always been associated with sport in the United Kingdom, the name itself has nothing to do with boxing. It dates back to the days when grand houses were filled with servants, who having worked on Christmas Day were given the following day as a holiday.
Stephen, Christianity's first martyr, held more significance than the British tradition of Boxing Day. The term “Boxing Day” originated from the British custom of giving boxes of gifts to employees and the poor, a practice that, while charitable, didn't resonate as deeply with Irish cultural traditions.
However, it is not an employee holiday. Countries with closer ties to Britain, like Canada and Australia, more widely celebrate Boxing Day. In addition to shopping, the holiday is frequently marked by special sporting events and devouring the leftovers of Christmas Day — much like Black Friday has become in the U.S.
Television and media coverage. Boxing used to be a popular staple viewing on American television due to its low costs and production values and was broadcast on all the major networks. Since the 1970s, it is mostly broadcast on pay-per-view and pay television channels, like HBO and Showtime.
Boxing Day, in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, holiday (December 26) on which servants, tradespeople, and the poor traditionally were presented with gifts. By the 21st century it had become a day associated with shopping and sporting events.
As one of the two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia (the other being East Timor), the Philippines celebrates the world's longest Christmas season (Filipino: Kapaskuhan), spanning what are colloquially referred to as the "ber months".
In America, summer vacation lasts about 10 to 12 weeks. This break length can change depending on the state or local school rules. It's a long break from school meant to give students and teachers a well-deserved rest. Summer vacation time can differ from place to place in America.
A liturgical feast central to Christianity, Christmas preparation begins on the First Sunday of Advent and it is followed by Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night.
