What Day is Christmas? 2025

Every year, cooks, bakers, and home entertainers around the world mark their calendars for one very special date: Christmas Day. In 2025, December 25, (Christmas Day) falls on a Thursday. Falling each December 25, Christmas is more than just a celebration of family, gift-giving, and festive lights, it’s the pinnacle of holiday feasting and culinary tradition. Whether you’re planning a classic roast, experimenting with international flavors, or perfecting your grandmother’s sugar-plum pie, knowing exactly what day Christmas lands on, and how it shapes your kitchen schedule, is the first step toward a stress-free, delicious season.

Marking December 25 on Your Culinary Calendar

When you ask “What day is Christmas?”, the straightforward answer is December 25 on the Gregorian calendar. But in a food-focused world, that date carries extra weight: it’s the day you carve the bird, bake the yule log, ice the gingerbread, and gather round the table.

Since the date itself never changes, unlike Easter or other moveable feasts, you can plan well in advance. In the weeks leading up to December 25, kitchens fill with the scents of cinnamon and orange zest, mixers hum, and ovens glow late into the night. By mid-December, many home cooks map out their menus, run grocery lists, and even schedule a dry run of family favorites like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and Christmas cookies.

How the Day of the Week Affects Your Menu

Though Christmas always falls on December 25, the day of the week shifts from year to year, and that subtle change can have big implications for how you plan your holiday meal.

• Weekday Christmas (Monday–Friday): When Christmas lands on a weekday, you might spread out cooking over several evenings. Consider making components like cranberry sauce, cake, and cookies in advance, then reheating or assembling on the big day. A weekday holiday also means some grocery stores may have abbreviated hours—plan accordingly.
• Weekend Christmas (Saturday or Sunday): A weekend Christmas often feels more relaxed. You might host a brunch with egg-nog French toast or opt for an afternoon roast that lets guests linger into the evening. Weekend timing gives you license to include a decadent brunch course or an extended tasting menu of appetizers.

Christmas Dates for the Next Five Years

While Christmas remains fixed on December 25, the day of the week changes annually. Here’s what to expect:

Building Your Christmas Menu: A Timeline

With December 25 locked in, here’s a simple kitchen timeline to keep your festive preparations on track:

Two to Three Weeks Before

• Finalize your menu and note any special ingredients.
• Order specialty items—like aged ham, foie gras, or imported panettone—that may need advance notice.
• Plan any gift-able treats (homemade caramels, spiced nuts, cookie tins) and gather packaging supplies.

One Week Before

• Create a detailed grocery list, grouping items by store section.
• Prepare make-ahead components—homemade stock, flavored butter, biscuit or pie dough—and freeze or refrigerate.
• Confirm guest count and any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Two to Three Days Before

• Shop for perishable items like fresh seafood, herbs, and produce.
• Marinate or brine your main protein (turkey, ham, or roast).
• Bake cookies, fruitcakes, and other holiday confections; store in airtight containers.

Christmas Eve

• Set the table, lay out linens, centerpieces, and candles so you’re not rushing Christmas morning.
• Assemble cold appetizers and salads; keep chilled until serving time.
• Preheat ovens and make final room in the fridge/freezer for leftovers.

Christmas Morning

• Bring the main course to room temperature, then roast or bake according to schedule.
• Reheat sides and sauces; garnish just before serving.
• Pour the eggnog, crack the bubbly, and gather loved ones for a festive feast.

Global Flavors for December 25

Christmas menus vary widely by region, but each tradition offers inspiration for your own table. Here are a few ideas to spice up December 25 cooking:

• Scandinavian Smörgåsbord: Feature cured salmon, rye crispbreads, pickled herring, and glögg for a relaxed, buffet-style spread.
• Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes: On Christmas Eve, serve multiple seafood dishes—oysters, calamari, shrimp scampi—culminating in a simple, elegant antipasti plate on Christmas Day.
• Mexican Nochebuena: Bring the warmth of tamales, pozole, and rich mole sauce to your table. Schedule a late-night pozole party on December 24, then leftovers can star on December 25.
• British Christmas Dinner: Roast turkey with all the trimmings—pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts with chestnuts—and finish with Christmas pudding flambéed tableside.
• Japanese Fried Chicken Tradition: For a playful twist, add a side of crispy fried chicken or karaage alongside more conventional holiday fare.

Sweet Endings: Desserts for December 25

No Christmas feast is complete without dessert, and the date, December 25th, demands something special. From classic yule logs to modern flourless chocolate torte, here are a few crowd-pleasers:

• Bûche de Noël: A rolled sponge cake filled with chocolate ganache and dusted to resemble bark.
• Gingerbread Tower: Layers of spiced cake and cream cheese frosting, garnished with candied ginger.
• Panettone Bread Pudding: Transform leftover panettone into an indulgent bread pudding with mascarpone cream.
• Eggnog Panna Cotta: A silky custard infused with nutmeg and rum, topped with a gingerbread crumb.

Christmas Dates for the Next Five Years

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2025	December 25, 2025	Thursday
2026	December 25, 2026	Friday
2027	December 25, 2027	Saturday
2028	December 25, 2028	Monday
2029	December 25, 2029	Tuesday

Wrapping Up Your December 25 Celebration

As December 25 approaches, the kitchen buzzes with anticipation and aroma. After all, when you know exactly what day Christmas falls on, you can devote your best energy to the true heart of the season: gathering around the table and sharing unforgettable food with the ones you love.