When is Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve is 24 December. This timer counts to midnight at the start of that date, not to Christmas Day.
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Christmas Eve is 24 December. This timer counts to midnight at the start of that date, not to Christmas Day.
Quick, clear answers
Christmas Eve date and countdown
Calendar days and live time
The Christmas Eve page shows the calendar-day gap as well as a live countdown to midnight at the start of the date.
It follows your local time
Everything is calculated in your browser using your device date and time zone. No personal date is sent to the server.
Christmas Eve is not Christmas Day
Christmas Eve falls one day before Christmas Day. It is often a working or travel day before evening traditions begin.
History and UK traditions
Christmas Eve traditions in the UK
The final day of Advent mixes practical preparation with family rituals and anticipation.
Stockings are hung before bedtime
Children leave stockings for Father Christmas, sometimes with a snack and drink for the overnight visitor.
A carrot is often left for the reindeer
The small ritual gives children a tangible sign that Father Christmas and his team have visited.
Carols and services mark the evening
Crib services, carol services and Midnight Mass are important parts of Christmas Eve for many communities.
It is Britain’s last big preparation day
Travel, food preparation and last-minute wrapping make 24 December one of the busiest days of the festive period.
Plan without the rush
Planning for Christmas Eve
1
A month or more ahead
Set a realistic budget and note the bookings or purchases needed for Christmas Eve.
2
A couple of weeks ahead
Confirm travel, deliveries and plans with the people involved.
3
In the final days
Keep only essential tasks and leave room to enjoy the occasion.
Frequently asked
Christmas Eve: questions and answers
Yes. It is the day immediately before Christmas Day.
It reaches zero at the start of 24 December, so the entire local date is treated as Christmas Eve.
They are consecutive dates: Christmas Day begins at the next midnight.
It uses the local time zone configured on your device and shows it alongside the result.
Yes. The next valid date is calculated automatically, so the same page continues to work in future years.
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