when is boxing day
Rayan Khaled
Boxing Day ( is celebrated every year on December 26, the day after Christmas. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on Saturday, December 26.
Key Facts & Observance
- Public Holiday Adjustments. Because December 26 falls on a Saturday in 2026, the official bank or public holiday is observed on Monday, December 28 in the United Kingdom and many other Commonwealth nations.
- Where It Is Celebrated. The holiday originated in the UK and is widely observed across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth countries. In Ireland and parts of mainland Europe, December 26 is celebrated as St. Stephen’s Day.
- Origins. The name comes from the 19th-century Victorian tradition of giving “Christmas boxes” filled with money, food, or gifts to servants, tradespeople, and the poor.
- Modern Traditions. Today, the day is primarily associated with relaxing with family, eating Christmas leftovers, attending major sporting events (like football matches and horse races), and shopping major post-Christmas retail sales.