Is Christmas Eve Really a Holiday This Year? Here’s What You Should Know
Christmas Eve always feels like a holiday. Offices tend to be quieter, inboxes slow down, and there’s that familiar rush of last-minute shopping and travel plans. But when it comes to whether Christmas Eve is officially a holiday in the United States, the answer is a bit more complicated — and in 2025, it has sparked fresh confusion.
This year, Christmas falls on a Thursday, which has many Americans eyeing the possibility of a long holiday stretch. Adding to that excitement, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring Christmas Eve, December 24, and the day after Christmas, December 26, as federal holidays for 2025. That announcement made headlines and led many people to wonder if Christmas Eve is finally being recognized as a permanent federal holiday.
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The short answer is no. While Christmas Eve has been declared a federal holiday for this year, it is not a permanent addition to the federal holiday calendar. For a day to become a standing federal holiday, Congress must pass legislation and the president must sign it into law. That process was last completed in 2021, when Juneteenth was officially added. What’s happening this year is a temporary measure, something presidents have done before around the winter holidays.
In fact, similar decisions have been made in the past. In 2014, President Barack Obama declared December 26 a federal holiday when it fell on a Friday. During Trump’s first term, Christmas Eve was also granted as a federal holiday in 2019 and 2020. These moves are not unusual, but they don’t automatically benefit everyone.
So who actually gets Christmas Eve off this year? Primarily, it’s federal employees. Most federal agencies will be closed on December 24 and December 26, though some workers may still be required to report for duty depending on agency needs. Outside of federal offices, however, the picture looks very different. Private companies are not legally required to close, and many will continue operating as usual unless they already offer Christmas Eve as a day off.
As for everyday errands, most services will still be available. Banks are expected to remain open on Christmas Eve and December 26, closing only on Christmas Day. Post offices will also be open on December 24, with mail delivery continuing as normal, but they will close on December 25. Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Costco are following their traditional schedules, staying open on Christmas Eve with adjusted hours and closing only on Christmas Day.
In the end, Christmas Eve in 2025 sits in a familiar gray area. It may feel like a holiday, and for some workers it truly is, but for most Americans, it remains a regular workday wrapped in festive spirit.
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