Public holiday in Ukraine
New Year's Day in Ukraine
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
New Year’s Day is a nationwide public holiday in Ukraine on 1 January. It marks the start of the civil year and is widely observed as the first day of the post-Christmas holiday period.
About New Year's Day in Ukraine
In Ukraine, New Year’s Day is a nationwide public holiday and one of the main winter dates in the calendar. It comes immediately after New Year’s Eve celebrations, so the day is often treated as a quiet continuation of the holiday period rather than a full return to routine. Many people spend it with family, rest after late-night gatherings, or simply keep the day low-key.
History
Ukraine used the Gregorian calendar in civil life after the calendar reform in the early 20th century, so New Year’s Day is observed on 1 January. In the Soviet period, New Year’s celebrations became especially prominent in public life, and the holiday remained a major winter occasion after independence.
Traditions
Common customs include decorating a New Year tree, exchanging greetings and small gifts, and preparing a festive table with familiar winter dishes. Celebratory food and drink are usually associated with family gatherings at home rather than formal public events.
How New Year's Day is celebrated in Ukraine
The day is typically quiet compared with New Year’s Eve. Many people sleep in, visit relatives, or spend time at home, while some cities continue with public decorations and seasonal lights from the holiday period around them.
Interesting facts
In Ukraine, New Year’s Day is followed only a few days later by another winter public holiday, Orthodox Christmas on 7 January in the older calendar tradition that was widely used for public observance for many years.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 Jan 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.