Christmas Day
Thursday, December 25, 2025
About This Holiday
A Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and a major cultural celebration across the UK.
History
Christmas has been celebrated in Britain since the arrival of Christianity. It became a bank holiday in 1871. Christmas celebrations were actually banned by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century but were restored after the monarchy returned. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularized many modern Christmas traditions, including the Christmas tree.
Traditions
British Christmas traditions include decorating Christmas trees, hanging stockings, Christmas crackers, eating Christmas dinner (typically roast turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding), watching the Queen's/King's Speech at 3pm, giving and opening presents, attending church services, and pulling Christmas crackers. Pantomimes are also a beloved seasonal tradition.
Fun Facts
- ✨The modern Christmas card was invented in London in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole
- ✨The tradition of the Christmas tree in Britain was popularized by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
- ✨The King's/Queen's Speech has been a Christmas Day tradition since 1932, when King George V made the first broadcast
- ✨Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is also a UK bank holiday with its own traditions