Boxing Day Countdown
Counting down to Boxing Day
How it works
Boxing Day takes its name from a long-standing British tradition in which employers gave servants, tradespeople, and the less fortunate a "Christmas box" — a gift or gratuity — on the day after Christmas. The practice dates back to at least the Victorian era and draws on even older customs of charitable giving during the twelve days of Christmas. For household staff who worked on Christmas Day itself, 26 December was their day off and their chance to receive thanks in the form of food, money, or goods.
Today, Boxing Day is a major public holiday across the United Kingdom and much of the Commonwealth — including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Banks, schools, and many workplaces close for the day. It has also become one of the biggest retail events of the year, with post-Christmas sales drawing crowds to shops and online stores. Sporting traditions are equally strong: football fixtures fill stadiums in England, while horse racing meetings such as the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park are fixtures of the seasonal calendar.
Despite sharing Christmas itself, Boxing Day is not widely recognised or observed in the United States. Americans typically return to work on 26 December unless it falls on a weekend, and the name carries little cultural weight there. The countdown on this page targets midnight on 26 December of the current year — and if that date has already passed, it automatically rolls forward to 26 December of the following year.
Frequently asked questions
When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is always on 26 December — the day immediately after Christmas Day. It does not move from year to year. The live countdown at the top of this page shows the exact date and time remaining until the next 26 December.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
The name comes from the tradition of giving "Christmas boxes" to servants, tradespeople, and those in need on the day after Christmas. Employers and wealthy households would present boxes containing gifts, bonuses, or leftover food as a token of gratitude. The custom was well established in Victorian Britain and reflects centuries of post-Christmas charitable giving.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday?
Yes, in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Banks, government offices, schools, and many businesses close for the day. When 26 December falls on a weekend, some countries observe a substitute public holiday on the following Monday.
Which countries celebrate Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is primarily observed in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth nations such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is also recognised in some other countries with British colonial ties. It is not a public holiday in the United States, most of continental Europe, or much of Asia.
Is Boxing Day celebrated in the US?
No. Boxing Day is not a recognised holiday in the United States. While Americans celebrate Christmas on 25 December, 26 December is typically a normal working day unless it falls on a weekend. The post-Christmas sales tradition exists in the US but is not tied to the Boxing Day name or public holiday status.
What traditions are associated with Boxing Day?
Common Boxing Day traditions include post-Christmas sales shopping, watching or attending football matches and horse racing, family gatherings and leftover Christmas feasts, and charitable giving. In some communities, Boxing Day hunts and outdoor walks remain popular ways to shake off the Christmas indulgence and enjoy time with friends and family.