Christmas in Ukraine on 25 December: Traditions and Around the World

Since 2023 Christmas in Ukraine has officially been celebrated on 25 December, together with most of the Christian world. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the UGCC moved to the Revised Julian calendar, and the state moved the public holiday from 7 January. Here is how Ukraine celebrates Christmas, the traditions of Holy Eve, how other countries mark the day and which plants and flowers decorate the holiday.

Festive arrangements and plants for Christmas are available among our flower baskets and potted plants.

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When Christmas is celebrated

Communities that stayed on the Julian calendar still celebrate Christmas on 7 January. Catholic and Protestant countries have always celebrated on 25 December.

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Holy Eve

• Twelve dishes — all meatless: kutia, uzvar, borshch, varenyky, holubtsi, fish, mushrooms, beans, pampushky and more. Kutia is the centrepiece.
• The first star — the family sits down to dinner when the first star appears.
• Didukh — a wheat sheaf in the corner, symbolising harvest and ancestral memory; hay is placed under the tablecloth.
• The family table — a place and plate are set for departed relatives.

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Christmas customs

• Carolling — carollers go from house to house with songs, a star and good wishes; hosts treat them.
• Vertep — a folk puppet or live nativity play.
• Visiting — at Christmas people visit parents and godparents; children bring them "supper".
• Decorating the home — didukh, Christmas stars, a tree and wreaths.

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Christmas around the world

• Poland — Wigilia, breaking the wafer and an empty place for a traveller.
• Germany and Austria — Christmas markets, Advent calendars and wreaths.
• United Kingdom — Christmas pudding, crackers, mistletoe and holly.
• Italy — presepi (nativity scenes) in homes and churches.
• Scandinavia — candles, straw decorations and St Lucia's Day on 13 December.

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Christmas plants and flowers

• Spruce and conifer — see our Christmas tree guide.
• Poinsettia — the "Christmas star"; see poinsettia care.
• Hippeastrum (amaryllis) — big red and white holiday blooms.
• Hellebore — the winter-flowering "Christmas rose".
• Mistletoe and holly — symbols of the European Christmas.

For festive decor with conifer, cones and flowers, see DIY holiday decor.

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FAQ

When is Christmas in Ukraine?

On 25 December — since 2023, under the Revised Julian calendar; Holy Eve is on 24 December.

How many dishes are served on Holy Eve?

Traditionally twelve meatless dishes, with kutia as the main one.

What is a didukh?

A Christmas sheaf of wheat symbolising harvest, prosperity and the memory of ancestors.

For ready-made messages, see Christmas wishes.

For January 6, see our Epiphany wishes.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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