When is Christmas Eve in LV?

Christmas Eve in LV falls on Thursday, December 24, 2026.

Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in LV?

Yes, Christmas Eve is an official public holiday in LV.

Is Christmas Eve a paid day off in LV?

Public holidays in LV are generally paid days off for employees. However, specific entitlements for Christmas Eve may depend on your employment contract and local labor regulations.

What day of the week is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday in LV in 2026.

Is Christmas Eve a fixed or floating holiday?

Christmas Eve is a floating holiday, meaning its date changes each year (often based on the lunar calendar or a specific calculation rule).

Does Christmas Eve create a long weekend in LV?

Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday, which may create a 4-day weekend if the following Friday is also taken off.

Is Christmas Eve celebrated nationwide in LV?

Yes, Christmas Eve is observed nationwide throughout LV.

What is Christmas Eve about?

Christmas Eve is a recognized holiday in LV (locally known as "Ziemassvētku vakars"). It is classified as a Public holiday.

When is Christmas Eve in 2027?

Christmas Eve in LV falls on Friday, December 24, 2027 in 2027.

Is Christmas Eve always on the same date?

No, Christmas Eve is a floating holiday whose date changes each year. Christmas Eve may be calculated based on the lunar calendar, the day of the week, or other rules — so the date shifts from year to year.

Christmas Eve

LV · 2026

in 281 days

Date

December 24, 2026

Day

Thursday

Type

Public

Scope

National

Local Name: Ziemassvētku vakars

About Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, observed on December 24th, is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day. In many countries, it is the primary day of Christmas celebration, with gift-giving, church services, and family gatherings taking place on the 24th rather than the 25th.

In many European and Latin American countries — including Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Brazil — Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration. German and Austrian families open presents on the evening of December 24th, a tradition that spread globally through the German Christmas tree tradition.

Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is one of the most attended Catholic church services of the year worldwide, marking the moment Christmas Day begins and celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Quick Facts

Date 2026: December 24, 2026
Day: Thursday
Type: Public
Scope: National
Fixed Date: No — date changes each year
Local Name: Ziemassvētku vakars
Traditions: Midnight Mass · Opening gifts on Christmas Eve · Family dinners · Hanging stockings for Santa

When is Christmas Eve?

Year	Date	Day	Long Weekend?
2025	December 24, 2025	Wednesday	No
2026This year	December 24, 2026	Thursday	Yes — 4-day weekend
2027	December 24, 2027	Friday	Yes — 3-day weekend

4-Day Long Weekend

Because Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday, it creates a 4-day long weekend from Thursday, December 24 to Sunday, December 27.

How is Christmas Eve Celebrated?

Christmas Eve celebrations vary widely by culture. In Scandinavia, it is the primary Christmas holiday with families gathering for a traditional Christmas dinner (julbord) and exchanging gifts. In Latin America, Nochebuena (Holy Night) involves festive family dinners and attending Midnight Mass.

In the UK and North America, Christmas Eve is associated with final preparations — wrapping gifts, hanging stockings, baking cookies for Santa Claus, and reading Christmas stories to children before bed.

Did You Know?

•In Germany, Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) is considered more important than Christmas Day, and presents are traditionally opened on December 24th.
•Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the Vatican is broadcast internationally and attended by thousands.
•NORAD's Santa Tracker has tracked Santa's Christmas Eve journey since 1955, after a child accidentally called a NORAD hotline.
•'Silent Night' (Stille Nacht) was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 in Oberndorf, Austria.
•In Japan, Christmas Eve is celebrated as a romantic holiday similar to Valentine's Day, with couples exchanging gifts.