About Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve falls on 24 December and marks the vigil of Christmas Day in the Western Christian tradition. While many English-speaking countries treat it as a build-up to the main celebration on 25 December, much of continental Europe — Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, Poland, the Czech Republic — observes 24 December as the principal day, with the family meal, gifts and church service concentrated in the evening. The custom of celebrating the eve before a feast goes back to Jewish liturgical practice, where days begin at sunset. In the Lutheran and Catholic calendars the day shifts to a festive character at first vespers. Christmas Eve is a full or partial public holiday in many European countries and a half-day off in much of the rest.
Christmas Eve customs cluster around the family table. In Germany and Austria the tree is lit on the evening of the 24th, presents are exchanged, and many attend the Christmette at midnight. Scandinavians sit down to a long evening meal — Norwegian ribbe or pinnekjøtt, Swedish julbord, Danish flæskesteg — followed by gifts and often a TV tradition like Donald Duck at three. Polish families share opłatek wafer and a meatless twelve-dish supper before pasterka mass. In Spain and Latin America the Misa del Gallo and a late family dinner mark the night. The English-speaking world tends to keep the day quieter, with stockings hung and last-minute preparations for the 25th. Restaurants and many shops close early.