When is Orthodox Christmas Day in 2026?

It depends on the country. In 2026 it falls on January 6, January 7 and January 8. The table above shows the date for each country.

Which countries celebrate Orthodox Christmas Day?

Orthodox Christmas Day is marked in 18 countries: Australia, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Lebanon, and 6 more.

Is Orthodox Christmas Day a public holiday?

Yes, it's a public holiday in Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Moldova and North Macedonia and 1 other countries. Elsewhere it may be an observance or a regional holiday, so check the table for each country.

Map › Holidays A–Z › Orthodox Christmas Day

When is Orthodox Christmas Day 2026?

Orthodox Christmas Day falls on different dates around the world in 2026. The first is Tuesday, January 6, 2026 and the last is Thursday, January 8, 2026, across 18 countries.

Many Orthodox churches annually celebrate Christmas Day on or around January 7. This event commemorates the story of Jesus Christ's birth, according to the Christian Bible.

Also listed as Christmas Day (Orthodox), Orthodox Christmas and Orthodox Christmas Holiday.

See January 6 on the world map

Orthodox Christmas Day 2026 by country

Country	Date	Type
🇱🇧 LebanonOrthodox Christmas	January 6Tuesday	Public holiday
🇦🇺 Australia	January 7Wednesday	Religious holiday
🇧🇾 BelarusChristmas Day (Orthodox)Каляды праваслаўныя	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇧🇦 Bosnia & HerzegovinaChristmas Day (Orthodox)Božić (za pravoslavce)	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇨🇦 Canada	January 7Wednesday	Religious holiday
🇭🇷 Croatia	January 7Wednesday	Optional holiday
🇪🇬 EgyptChristmas Day (Orthodox)عيد الميلاد المجيد	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇪🇷 EritreaOrthodox ChristmasLidet ልደት	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇪🇹 EthiopiaChristmas Day (Orthodox)ልደተ-ለእግዚእነ/ ገና	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇬🇪 GeorgiaChristmas Day (Orthodox)ქრისტეშობა	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇮🇱 Israel	January 7Wednesday	Optional holiday
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇲🇩 MoldovaChristmas Day (Orthodox)Craciun pe stil Vechi (Orthodox Christmas)	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇲🇪 MontenegroChristmas Day (Orthodox)Božić	January 7Wednesday	Optional holiday
🇲🇰 North MacedoniaChristmas Day (Orthodox)Прв ден Божик, Prv den Božik	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇷🇺 RussiaChristmas Day (Orthodox)Рождество Христово	January 7Wednesday	Public holiday
🇬🇧 United Kingdom	January 7Wednesday	Religious holiday
🇺🇸 United States	January 7Wednesday	Religious holiday
🇮🇱 IsraelOrthodox Christmas Holiday	January 8Thursday	Optional holiday
🇲🇩 MoldovaChristmas Day (Orthodox)Craciun pe stil Vechi (Orthodox Christmas)	January 8Thursday	Public holiday
🇲🇪 MontenegroChristmas Day (Orthodox)Božić	January 8Thursday	Optional holiday

Questions about Orthodox Christmas Day

When is Orthodox Christmas Day in 2026?: It depends on the country. In 2026 it falls on January 6, January 7 and January 8. The table above shows the date for each country.
Which countries celebrate Orthodox Christmas Day?: Orthodox Christmas Day is marked in 18 countries: Australia, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Lebanon, and 6 more.
Is Orthodox Christmas Day a public holiday?: Yes, it's a public holiday in Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Moldova and North Macedonia and 1 other countries. Elsewhere it may be an observance or a regional holiday, so check the table for each country.

Other holidays around the same time

New Year's Day January 1
Christmas Day January 5
Independence Day January 1
Father's Day January 4
Christmas Eve January 5
New Year January 1
Constitution Day January 7
Epiphany January 5
Victory Day January 2
Republic Day January 1
Children's Day January 6
Liberation Day January 1