The short answer: Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, December 26, and it is a public holiday in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday, so the official UK bank holiday moves to Monday, December 28.
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Below you'll find what the day means, where it's observed and simple ways to make it a restful part of your holiday week.
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When is Boxing Day 2026?
Boxing Day is always December 26, but the day off can shift when the 26th lands on a weekend. Here is how 2026 looks, based on the official GOV.UK bank holiday list and each country's published public holiday calendar:
| Place | Boxing Day 2026 | Day off observed |
|---|---|---|
| England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland | Saturday, December 26 | Monday, December 28 (substitute day) |
| Canada (federal) | Saturday, December 26 | Varies by employer and province; often the next weekday |
| Australia and New Zealand | Saturday, December 26 | Usually Monday, December 28 |
| United States | Saturday, December 26 | Not a federal holiday (see the OPM federal holiday list) |
Because Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday, many families will get a four-day stretch from Friday to Monday. That makes it a nice year to plan a slow weekend instead of rushing back to errands. Our December 2026 calendar is an easy way to map out who is hosting what.
What does Boxing Day mean?
According to Britannica, the name most likely comes from the Christmas box: a gift of money, food or small goods that employers gave to servants, tradespeople and workers on the day after Christmas. Staff often worked on Christmas Day, so the 26th became their day to go home and celebrate with their own families. Churches also opened their alms boxes and shared the money with people in need.
Over time the day moved away from those formal gifts. Today it is mostly a second, quieter holiday: one for leftovers, visiting, sports and shopping. It is also December 26, the Feast of St. Stephen in many Christian traditions, which is why you'll hear it called St. Stephen's Day in Ireland and parts of Europe.
Where is Boxing Day a holiday?
Boxing Day is a public holiday in:
- The United Kingdom (as a bank holiday)
- Canada (federal statutory holiday, with provincial rules that differ)
- Australia (called Proclamation Day in South Australia)
- New Zealand
- Several Caribbean and African Commonwealth countries
- Ireland, where December 26 is St. Stephen's Day
In the United States it's a regular working day, although many stores lean into after-Christmas deals. If you're watching for those, see our guide to after-Christmas sales.
Easy ways to celebrate Boxing Day at home
You don't need a big plan. These are simple ideas that work for small families and big gatherings alike:
- Have a leftovers spread. Set out turkey or ham sandwiches, cold cuts, cheese, pickles and the last of the cookies. Nobody has to cook a full meal.
- Visit the relatives you missed. Boxing Day is a classic time for a second round of visits with grandparents, in-laws or friends.
- Take a long walk. In the UK the "Boxing Day walk" is a beloved habit, and fresh air feels good after a heavy Christmas dinner.
- Watch a game. Football in the UK, hockey's World Juniors in Canada and cricket's Boxing Day Test in Australia are all long-running traditions.
- Give something back. Drop off a donation, fill a food bank box or tip the people who served you all year. It's the closest thing to the original Christmas box.
- Write thank-you notes. While the gifts are fresh in your mind, jot down who gave what. Our Christmas Budget & Gift Planner has a gift log page that makes this quick.
- Reset the house. Put away wrapping paper, set aside boxes for returns and start one small cleanup so the week ahead feels calmer.
Boxing Day sales: shop with a plan
Boxing Day sales are the biggest shopping event of the year in the UK, Canada and Australia, and US retailers run similar post-holiday deals. A few habits help you save money instead of spending it:
- Make a short list before you open any store app, and stick to things you actually need.
- Set a spending limit for the day and track it as you go.
- Check return windows, especially for electronics and clothing.
- Compare against prices you saw earlier in the season so a "sale" is really a sale.
Boxing Day vs. Christmas Day vs. St. Stephen's Day
| Day | Date | What it's about |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Gifts, church, the main family meal |
| Boxing Day | December 26 | Rest, leftovers, visits, sports, sales, charity |
| St. Stephen's Day | December 26 | Religious feast day; the Irish name for the holiday |
If you're planning the rest of the week, our ideas for Christmas Eve traditions and New Year's Eve dinner ideas round out the season.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Boxing Day? Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, December 26, and it is a public holiday in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and several other Commonwealth countries. It grew out of an old custom of giving boxes of money, food or gifts to servants, tradespeople and the poor, and today it is mostly a quiet family day with leftovers, sports and big sales.
When is Boxing Day 2026? Boxing Day 2026 is Saturday, December 26, 2026. Because it falls on a weekend, the UK bank holiday moves to a substitute day on Monday, December 28, 2026, so many offices and banks there will close on that Monday instead. Check your own country or province, because the rules for substitute days are not the same everywhere.
Is Boxing Day a holiday in the United States? No, Boxing Day is not a federal holiday in the United States, and most American businesses, banks and post offices are open on December 26. Some Americans with British, Canadian or Caribbean roots still mark the day, and many US stores run after-Christmas sales that feel a lot like Boxing Day deals.
Why is it called Boxing Day? Nobody is completely certain, but the most common explanation is that wealthy households gave their staff a Christmas box, a gift of money or goods, on the day after Christmas because the staff worked on Christmas Day itself. Churches also opened alms boxes for the poor around this time, and both customs likely shaped the name.
What do people do on Boxing Day? Most people treat Boxing Day as a slow, cozy day: eating Christmas leftovers, visiting the relatives they missed on Christmas Day, going for a long walk, watching football, cricket or hockey, and shopping the Boxing Day sales. It is also a popular day for charity giving, which keeps the spirit of the original Christmas box alive.
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Sources
- Britannica: Boxing Day britannica.com
- OPM: Federal holidays opm.gov