Christmas Countdown
Christmas falls on December 25 every year, celebrating the birth of Jesus and, for billions of people, family, generosity and light in the middle of winter. This countdown is to Christmas 2026, ticking down to the morning of December 25, live.
How many days until Christmas?
Christmas is on Friday, December 25, 2026, which is 176 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
Where Christmas comes from
The first recorded December 25 celebration of Christ's birth dates to Rome in 336 AD. Over the centuries it absorbed midwinter traditions, evergreens, feasting, gift-giving, and grew into both a major Christian feast and a global cultural holiday.
How the world celebrates
Gifts arrive from Santa Claus, Père Noël, or the Christkind depending on where you are; some countries open presents on Christmas Eve, others on the morning of the 25th. In Japan, fried chicken became a Christmas tradition; in Australia, it's celebrated in midsummer on the beach.
Quick facts
- First recorded December 25 celebration: Rome, 336 AD
- A federal holiday in the United States since 1870
- “Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving
- Japan's KFC Christmas tradition dates to 1974