Christmas Eve in Australia in 2024

Christmas Eve in Australia in 2024
  How long until Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve
  Dates of Christmas Eve in Australia
2025 Dec 24
Northern TerritoryWed, Dec 24Regional Holiday
QueenslandWed, Dec 24Regional Holiday
South AustraliaWed, Dec 24Regional Holiday
2024 Dec 24
Northern TerritoryTue, Dec 24Regional Holiday
QueenslandTue, Dec 24Regional Holiday
South AustraliaTue, Dec 24Regional Holiday
2023 Dec 24
Northern TerritorySun, Dec 24Regional Holiday
QueenslandSun, Dec 24Regional Holiday
South AustraliaSun, Dec 24Regional Holiday
2022 Dec 24
Northern TerritorySat, Dec 24Regional Holiday
QueenslandSat, Dec 24Regional Holiday
South AustraliaSat, Dec 24Regional Holiday
2021 Dec 24
Northern TerritoryFri, Dec 24Regional Holiday
QueenslandFri, Dec 24Regional Holiday
South AustraliaFri, Dec 24Regional Holiday
  Summary

A public holiday in Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia, only in the evening.

  Christmas Eve in other countries
Christmas Eve internationally
  Which regions observe Christmas Eve in 2024?
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a public holiday Govt Holiday
Related holidays

When is Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24th. If Christmas Day falls on a weekend, then this holiday may be observed on a different day.

Countries and regions which officially have Christmas Eve as a public holiday are shown on the right.

Even if it is not a public holiday, be aware that many businesses in Europe will give employees the afternoon or the whole day as a holiday. For instance in Portugal, while Christmas Eve is not a national holiday, most companies give their employees the day or afternoon off to prepare and to be with their families, and many businesses will close earlier than normal.

As Christmas is traditionally a time to spend with families, a lot of people may leave work early to travel home or visit relatives, so this is definitely not a good day to arrange business meetings.

History of Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that started on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve. Many churches will mark the end of Advent with midnight church services.

In Latin America, Christmas Eve marks the end of a nine-day period before Christmas, called 'Las Posandas' which represents the none months of labour for the Virgin Mary before she gave birth to Jesus.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Gifts

On the night of Christmas Eve, children around the world will leave food and drink for whoever will come to their house and bring them presents. Who this is, depends on what part of the world you live. It might be Santa Claus or Father Christmas; but in Switzerland, it will be the Christchild who delivers the presents. In Denmark, it's the Christmas elf; in Sweden, it'll be a small man and in Finland, it'll be the Christmas goat!

In Latvia, the custom is that you can open the presents under the Christmas Tree after the Christmas Eve dinner, with a slight twist - before you take your gift, you'll have to recite a small poem.

Candles

A unique tradition of Christmas decoration in Ireland is a large white candle which is placed at the entrance of the house or in a window.  This candle is lit by the youngest child on Christmas Eve. This is a symbol to welcome the Holy Family and the candle can only be extinguished by a girl or a woman named Mary.

More Christmas Traditions


    Did you know?

    Three facts about Christmas Eve

    The Christmas Eve meal is not served in Hungary until a twinkling star is seen in the sky.

    Streets are closed on Christmas Eve in Caracas, Venezuela so people can roller skate to church.

    In Icelandic folklore, the Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn) will eat anyone who does not receive new clothes by Christmas Eve

    More facts about Christmas Eve

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