How many days until Christmas 2026? Countdown and holiday calendar
The SantaPicksUp.com teamOctober 23, 20265 min read
In shortAs of October 26, 2026 there are 60 days until Christmas. Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday. Here is a live countdown, the holiday dates that matter and a few ways to make the wait fun for kids.
As of October 26, 2026, there are 60 days until Christmas. Christmas Day 2026 falls on a Friday. The countdown below updates every second (Eastern Time), so you can share it with your little ones and watch the days go down together.
Christmas is in
59days
14hours
00minutes
01seconds
When is Christmas 2026?
Christmas Day is always on December 25. In 2026 it falls on a Friday. Christmas Eve, the night many families open one present, read a story or leave cookies for Santa, is on December 24, which is 59 days from today.
Christmas Eve is in
58days
14hours
00minutes
01seconds
The holiday calendar for families
These are the dates most families plan around in November and December:
Date
What it is
How far away
Fourth Thursday of November
Thanksgiving, the unofficial start of the Christmas season for many families
Check your calendar
December 6
St. Nicholas Day, when children in some families find small treats in their shoes or stockings
41 days
Around December 21
Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year
A few days before Christmas
December 24
Christmas Eve
59 days
December 25
Christmas Day
60 days
December 31
New Year's Eve
66 days
"How many sleeps until Christmas?"
Young children don't think in days, they think in sleeps. The number of sleeps until Christmas is simply the number of days: every night your child goes to bed, Christmas morning gets one sleep closer. Right now that is 60 sleeps. For a preschooler, "nine more sleeps" is much easier to picture than a date on the calendar.
Countdown ideas that make the wait fun
A paper chain. One link for each day left. Your child tears one off every morning and watches the chain get shorter.
An advent calendar. It doesn't have to be chocolate: a sticker, a joke, a tiny toy or a note with an activity for the day works just as well.
A story a day. Wrap Christmas books you already have and let your child unwrap one each evening.
A kindness calendar. One small good deed per day: draw a picture for grandma, help set the table, share a toy.
A letter to Santa. Writing it takes a whole afternoon of thinking. Our letter to Santa template has ideas for every age.
A call from Santa. Some families save it for a special evening in December: Santa greets your child by name and talks with them live.
A simple December plan for busy parents
Early December: make your gift list, check sizes and order anything that ships.
Mid-December: write cards, bake cookies, plan Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals.
The last week: wrap presents after bedtime, charge the camera, and keep one evening free for something simple and cozy.
The best countdown is the one your family enjoys. Keep it small, keep it fun, and let the excitement build one sleep at a time.
Frequently asked questions
How many days until Christmas?
As of October 26, 2026, there are 60 days until Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.
What day of the week is Christmas 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 falls on a Friday.
How many days until Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve is on December 24, which is 59 days from today.
How many sleeps until Christmas?
The number of sleeps is the number of days left: right now that is 60 sleeps until Christmas morning.
When does the Christmas countdown start?
Many families start right after Thanksgiving or on December 1, when advent calendars begin. There is no rule: start whenever it feels right for your family.
Written by the SantaPicksUp.com team. The Santa in our service is created with artificial intelligence; we tell you that up front, as a parent. See how the call works.
