Christmas Eve Customs and Traditions
Back to Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is traditionally the time for families to decorate their homes and churches to celebrate the start of Christmas.
The period of Advent, a four week fast, that precedes Christmas Eve is a popular way of counting down to Christmas. The tradition of opening advent calendars or lighting candles on an advent wreath are customary ways to count the days to Christmas.
It’s also customary to attend church services on Christmas Eve. Early evening services include dramatisations of the Nativity play and singing of Christmas Carols. Midnight Mass services take place just before midnight on Christmas Day to welcome the Christmas period.