Christmas Eve

E38030

Christmas Eve is the evening and day before Christmas Day, widely celebrated with family gatherings, festive traditions, and anticipation of Santa Claus’s arrival.

Aliases (2)

Statements (70)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Christian holiday
cultural observance
holiday
alsoKnownAs Christmas Vigil
The Night Before Christmas
associatedWith Christmas stockings
Nativity of Jesus
Santa Claus
anticipation of Christmas
birth of Jesus
chimney visits by Santa Claus
reindeer
calendar Gregorian calendar
celebratedIn Australia
Brazil
Canada
Finland
France
Germany
Italy
Mexico
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States
many Christian-majority countries
culturalSignificance time of anticipation and preparation for Christmas Day
date December 24
follows December 23
frequency annual
hasCustom Feast of the Seven Fishes in Italian-American tradition
Nochebuena dinner in Spanish-speaking countries
Réveillon dinner in France and Quebec
Wigilia supper in Poland
attending Midnight Mass
fasting or abstinence in some traditions
leaving carrots or food for reindeer
leaving cookies and milk for Santa Claus
hasTradition Midnight Mass
Nativity plays
carol singing
church services
decorating Christmas tree
family gatherings
festive meals
gift giving
lighting candles
midnight gift opening
reading Christmas stories
special festive foods
inspiredWork numerous films and television specials
poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas"
various Christmas carols
liturgicalName Vigil of Christmas
Vigil of the Nativity
marksBeginningOf Christmas liturgical celebration
marksEndOf Advent season
observedBy Christians
many non-Christians
partOf Christmas season
precedes Christmas Day
religion Christianity
season Advent
timeOfDay evening
night
usedAsSettingIn Christmas literature
Christmas movies


Please wait…