Christmas Eve

Culture of origin: Christian · Cultural

Holiday sources: Assyrian · Australia (national) · Canada (federal) · Christianity · Eastern Orthodox (new calendar) · France · Germany (nationwide) · United Kingdom (England and Wales) · United States (federal)

Christmas Eve is the evening, or the whole day, before Christmas. Because the Christian liturgical day begins at sunset and Jesus is held to have been born at night, Midnight Mass is celebrated on this night; German calls it Heilige Nacht, "Holy Night". Families gather, sing carols, light trees and in many countries open presents, and Santa Claus and other gift-bringers are said to set out on their rounds.