What is the official end of Christmas?

Christmas ends on the Twelfth Night (5 January) after 25 December, with the day following that known as Epiphany, which falls on 6 January. The reason for this is because in the old days Christmas was celebrated for 12 days right up until the evening of 5 January.

How long is the Christmas season?

12 Days
In the denominations of Western Christianity, the term “Christmas season” is considered synonymous with Christmastide, which runs from December 25 (Christmas Day) to January 5 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany Eve), popularly known as the 12 Days of Christmas, or in the Catholic Church, until the Baptism of the Lord, a …

When should Christmas end?

The Twelve Days of Christmas terminate with Epiphany Eve or Twelfth Night (the evening of 5 January). Customs of the Christmas season include carol singing, gift giving, attending Nativity plays, and church services, and eating special food, such as Christmas cake.

What happens during Epiphany?

Known as Epiphany, or the 12th Day of Christmas, it commemorates how a star led the Magi, or the three kings or wise men, to the baby Jesus. The celebrations commemorate the journey that three wise men are said to have taken to present the baby Jesus with gifts.

What Christmas observes?

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration by billions of people around the world.

How many days are Catholic Christmas?

Twelve Days
The Twelve Days of Christmas (Christmastide) Since 1970, Roman Catholics have celebrated Epiphany on the first Sunday after the Octave of Christmas (that is, the first Sunday after January 1) . . . which kind of messes up the whole twelve nights tradition.

When does the Christmas season start and end?

It begins with the Christmas Eve vigil Masses and concludes with Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 8th. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also has a handy calendar available on their website, with descriptions of each feast day of the liturgical Christmas season.

When does the octave of Christmas begin and end?

Therefore, the Octave of Christmas begins Christmas Day on December 25th and extends until the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the January 1st. The liturgical Christmas season is situated after the Advent season and before the beginning of Ordinary time.

Are there any non Christians that celebrate Christmas?

Christmas tree in Japan. Christmas is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians around the world.

When does the Christmas shopping season start in the UK?

Secularisation and commercialisation. In the UK and Ireland, Christmas food generally appears on supermarket shelves as early as September or even August, while the Christmas shopping season itself starts from mid November when the high street Christmas lights are switched on.