Public holiday in France
St. Stephen's Day in France
Saturday, December 26, 2026
Regional public holiday
Observed in Alsace-Moselle
St. Stephen’s Day is a public holiday in France only in Alsace-Moselle, where it falls on 26 December. Elsewhere in France, it is not a public holiday.
About St. Stephen's Day in France
In France, St. Stephen’s Day is limited to Alsace-Moselle, giving the region a second day of Christmas holiday after 25 December. In practical terms, it is part of the area’s distinct holiday calendar and is treated as a day off in the three departments of Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Moselle.
History
The holiday’s regional status reflects the special legal and cultural history of Alsace-Moselle, which retained several local public holidays that differ from the rest of France. St. Stephen’s Day remained on the regional calendar after the area’s return to France following the First World War.
Traditions
In Alsace-Moselle, the day is closely associated with family time following Christmas celebrations on the previous day. As with other Christmas season observances in the region, many people use it for visiting relatives, quiet meals and time at home rather than for large public events.
How St. Stephen's Day is celebrated in France
In contemporary Alsace-Moselle, St. Stephen’s Day is generally observed as a quiet holiday after Christmas Day. Many businesses and public institutions operate on a reduced basis or close, and the day is commonly spent informally with family or friends.
Interesting facts
St. Stephen’s Day is not observed as a public holiday in most of France. The holiday falls on 26 December in Alsace-Moselle, matching its traditional place in the Christmas season.
Dates in published calendars
Sources and verification
- 2026: Service Public – France · checked 20 Oct 2026
- 2027: Service Public – France · checked 20 Oct 2026
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.