Ukraine 2025: Christmas on December 25 will be a working day due to martial law.

According to ТСН: This is a consequence of the calendar reform of 2023, implemented by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Now the celebration of Christmas on January 7 according to the Julian calendar has lost its official status and has given way to December 25.

Christmas 2025 — when to celebrate

From now on, Christmas is celebrated in Ukraine on December 25, the same day as most Christian countries around the world. In 2025, this festive date falls on a Thursday.

Although December 25 is officially recognized as a national holiday, the ongoing martial law imposes certain restrictions on the work schedule during public holidays. Previously, Christmas was always an additional day off for Ukrainians, but due to the law on martial law, all such additional days off are not carried over, even if the holiday coincides with a weekday.

Thus, December 25, 2025, despite its status as a national holiday, will remain a working day for most Ukrainians. The exception will be those employees whose employer grants a day off or reduces the workday.

It is worth noting that a similar practice was already in place in 2023–2024: national holidays were observed without transfers and without additional days off.

Christmas in Ukraine: what about January 7

The celebration of Christmas on January 7 no longer has official status. In 2026, this day will not provide a day off and will remain a regular working day, even for those believers who adhere to the old Julian calendar.

Changes in the celebration of Christmas reflect important steps in adapting Ukrainian traditions to modern international practices. However, the current martial law and related restrictions present additional challenges for Ukrainians who wish to celebrate this important date in a family circle. This underscores the importance of preserving national traditions even in difficult conditions arising from wars and changes in state structure.