What is Boxing Day? Do Americans celebrate this post-Christmas holiday? Here's what you need to know

Boxing Day 2025: While Christmas Day marks the end of the holiday season for many Americans, millions of people around the world continue celebrating this day. Boxing Day is not officially recognized across the United States. Still, its traditions, history, and growing global visibility continue to spark curiosity among Americans.

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When is Boxing Day celebrated?

Boxing Day takes place every year on Dec. 26, the day after Christmas. In countries where it is recognized as a public holiday, many businesses close, and workers receive a day off. When Dec. 26 falls on a weekend, the official bank holiday is often observed the following Monday.


In the U.S., Dec. 26 is typically treated as a regular workday, though in 2025 it gained attention after President Donald Trump signed an executive order recognizing both Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 as federal holidays.

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What is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated the day after Christmas in Great Britain and several Commonwealth countries, including Canada. The tradition dates back to Victorian times, when it was established as a public holiday during the reign of Queen Victoria.

When is Boxing Day?

Historically, the day was associated with generosity and rest. Servants who worked on Christmas Day were given Dec. 26 off to spend with their families and were often presented with boxed gifts as a gesture of appreciation.

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Known as Boxing Day, the holiday is widely observed in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In the U.S., however, it remains unfamiliar to many, as per a report by Detroit Free Press.

Why is it called Boxing Day?

The name “Boxing Day” has several well-known explanations. One widely accepted theory links it to the tradition of giving boxed gifts to the poor. Donation boxes placed in churches would be opened and distributed after Christmas Day to support those in need.

Another explanation points to household servants receiving “Christmas boxes” from their employers as thanks for their service. Over time, the name stuck, even as traditions evolved, as per a report by USA Today and Detroit Free Press.

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How is Boxing Day celebrated today?

Modern Boxing Day celebrations blend old customs with contemporary habits. In countries where the holiday is observed, it often includes gift exchanges, shopping trips, charitable acts, and enjoying Christmas leftovers with family and friends.

Sports play a major role as well. Horse racing, soccer matches, rugby, cricket, ice hockey, and boxing are commonly watched on Boxing Day. While foxhunting was once associated with the day, it has since been replaced or banned in many regions, as per a report by USA Today.

Boxing Day is also known for post-Christmas sales, making it one of the busiest shopping days of the year in places like Canada and the U.K.

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Do Americans celebrate Boxing Day?

Although Boxing Day did not take hold in the U.S. when early colonists settled the country, it remains a significant holiday for millions worldwide. While Americans may not formally observe it, awareness of Boxing Day continues to grow through global media, travel, and cultural exchange, as per a report by USA Today.

For now, Dec. 26 remains a regular day for most Americans, even as the rest of the world keeps the holiday spirit going just a little longer.

FAQs

Is Boxing Day celebrated in the United States?

No, Boxing Day is not widely recognized or celebrated in the U.S.



Which countries observe Boxing Day?

It is celebrated in Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth nations.