Public holiday in Austria
Christmas Day in Austria
Friday, December 25, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Christmas Day is a nationwide public holiday in Austria on 25 December. It is the main Christmas public holiday in the country and follows the traditional Austrian Christmas Eve celebration.
About Christmas Day in Austria
In Austria, Christmas Day is a public holiday observed nationwide and is part of the country’s two-day Christmas period. It comes after Christmas Eve, which is the more central family and gift-giving occasion in Austrian homes, while 25 December is generally a quieter day for rest, meals and time with family.
History
Christmas Day has long been observed in Austria as part of the Christian Christmas season. As a public holiday, it reflects the country’s traditional calendar rather than a modern administrative observance.
Traditions
Austrian Christmas customs on and around 25 December typically include attending church services, especially in Catholic communities, and sharing a family meal. Traditional festive foods vary by region and household, but the day is generally more restrained than Christmas Eve, which usually carries the main gift exchange in Austria.
How Christmas Day is celebrated in Austria
Many Austrians spend 25 December at home with close family or relatives. The day is commonly quiet, with reduced public activity and limited large-scale entertainment, and it follows the earlier celebrations of Christmas Eve.
Interesting facts
In Austria, the main exchange of Christmas gifts usually takes place on Christmas Eve rather than on Christmas Day. The holiday falls at the end of Austria’s winter festive period, alongside Saint Stephen’s Day on 26 December, which is also a public holiday nationwide.
Dates in published calendars
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.