The Catholic Christmas season begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve. It continues through Christmas Day, the eight day Octave, Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord. For the 2026 season in the United States, that means the evening of December 24, 2026, through January 10, 2027.
When does the Catholic Christmas season begin?
Christmas begins on the evening of December 24, when parishes celebrate the Vigil Mass of the Nativity. Christmas Day is the first full day of the season, but the celebration has already begun when the vigil starts.
If you plan to attend Mass on Christmas Eve, check your parish bulletin for the exact time. One parish may have an early family Mass and another may celebrate later at night. Either way, you are entering the Christmas season, not extending Advent for one more day.
At home, you can mark the change simply. Finish your Advent prayer, light your Christmas lights, place the Niño Dios in the Nativity scene, and share a short prayer of thanks before your meal.
How long does the Catholic Christmas season last?
The Catholic Christmas season ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. That date changes from year to year because the Epiphany schedule and the calendar change.
In the United States, the 2026 Christmas season ends on Sunday, January 10, 2027. Ordinary Time begins the next day. This gives families more than Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the events that follow it.
You do not need to fit every family gathering, prayer, or visit into December 25. You can keep celebrating through New Year, Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord.
The Catholic Christmas calendar for 2026 and 2027
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 29, 2026 | Advent begins. This is the season of preparation before Christmas. |
| Evening of December 24, 2026 | The Christmas season begins with the vigil Masses. |
| December 25, 2026 | The Church celebrates the Nativity of the Lord. |
| December 25 through January 1 | The Christmas Octave gives eight days to the celebration. |
| January 3, 2027 | The United States celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord. |
| January 10, 2027 | The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord closes the Christmas season. |
| January 11, 2027 | Ordinary Time resumes. |
Save these dates with your family plans. If relatives live in Mexico or attend a parish that follows a different local schedule, compare parish calendars before choosing one shared day for an Epiphany gathering.
What the Octave, the twelve days, and forty days mean
These three ways of counting are related, but they do not name the same period.
- The Christmas Octave runs from December 25 through January 1. It treats the celebration as eight connected days.
- The twelve days of Christmas are commonly counted from December 25 through January 5, before Epiphany on January 6. In the United States, the Church normally celebrates Epiphany on a Sunday, so the parish date may not be January 6.
- The forty day custom reaches February 2, the Presentation of the Lord, also called Candlemas. Some families keep their Nativity scene or Niño Dios visible until then. That is a beloved home custom, but the current Christmas season ends with the Baptism of the Lord.
You can follow your family custom without worrying that one decoration date is the only correct choice. Use the Church calendar for the season and your family tradition for the way your home celebrates it.
How to celebrate Christmas at home after December 25
Keep the celebration practical. Leave the Nativity scene in a place where the family sees it, pray together at a regular time, and choose one small action for each major date.
- On Christmas Day, place the Niño Dios in the Nativity scene and pray a simple thank you for the birth of Jesus.
- During the Octave, share a meal with someone you could not see on December 25.
- On January 1, pray for peace and for the needs of your family.
- On Epiphany, bless your home, read the story of the Magi, or let children add the Magi to the Nativity scene.
- On the Baptism of the Lord, thank God for your baptism and look at family baptism photos if you have them.
If your family keeps the Niño Dios through February 2, our guide to the Niño Dios and Candlemas tradition explains the dates and the meaning behind that custom.
Why Advent is different from Christmas
Advent is the time of waiting and preparation before Christmas. Christmas is the season that begins when that waiting ends. The two seasons touch on Christmas Eve, but they are not the same.
An Advent wreath belongs to the preparation. Families light one more candle each week as Christmas gets closer. Our week by week Advent candle guide gives the colors, order, and a simple prayer routine.
When Christmas begins, the focus changes from waiting to celebrating. You can put away the Advent wreath, keep it nearby without lighting it, or replace it with the Nativity scene. Choose the option that helps your family pray without turning the calendar into a source of stress.
Prepare your home for Advent and Christmas
Choose candles and devotional pieces for family prayer and your Nativity tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the Catholic Christmas season begin on December 25?
It begins with the vigil Masses on the evening of December 24. December 25 is the first full day of the season.
When does the Catholic Christmas season end in 2027?
In the United States, the 2026 Christmas season ends with the Baptism of the Lord on January 10, 2027. Ordinary Time resumes on January 11.
Is Epiphany the last day of Christmas?
No. Epiphany is part of the Christmas season, but the season continues through the Baptism of the Lord. The exact calendar dates change each year.
Should Catholics keep the Christmas tree up until February 2?
You may keep it up until Candlemas if that is your family custom, but you do not have to. The current Church calendar ends the Christmas season with the Baptism of the Lord.
Is Advent part of the Christmas season?
No. Advent is the season of preparation before Christmas. Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve.
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