Christmas Day Public Holiday in Ireland

A country that properly stops

Christmas Day is the one day in Ireland when nearly everything closes. There’s no public transport, the shops are shut, pubs are closed by law, and the roads are quieter than at any other time of year. It’s a day for family, food and, for some, a morning swim. If you’re travelling, it’s also a day you need to plan around carefully.

St Stephen's Day falls on a weekend in 2026, so the day off moves and your Christmas leave plan changes with it. Annual Leave Hacks 2027: How to Get 54 Days Off with 20 Days of Leave →

Christmas Eve, despite how it feels, isn’t a public holiday. Most offices close early or give the day off, but there’s no legal entitlement to it.

Read our full guide to Christmas markets in Ireland

When Christmas falls on a weekend

If 25 December falls on a Saturday or Sunday, banks and most employers give the next weekday off. Because St Stephen’s Day is the following day, both holidays shift together. A Saturday Christmas, for example, typically means Monday and Tuesday off. Our tables work this out for you, so you can see the actual days off for any year.

For many people, the Christmas holiday runs from Christmas Eve until after New Year’s Day. That’s down to employers, but it’s common, especially in offices. If you’re planning your leave, our tips at the top of this page show how to get the longest break for the fewest days.

What’s open (very little)

Shops, supermarkets, post offices and banks are closed. Pubs must close, and most restaurants are shut, except hotels, many of which serve Christmas lunch to booked guests. Petrol stations on the motorway and a small number of convenience shops may open for limited hours, but don’t count on it.

Public transport doesn’t run on Christmas Day. There are no trains, Dublin Bus, Luas or most Bus Éireann services. Taxis are available but scarce and often more expensive. If you need to get to family or the airport, arrange a lift or book a taxi well in advance.

• Closed: shops, supermarkets, banks, post offices, pubs and most restaurants.
• Open: some hotels (for booked lunches), A&E departments, emergency services.
• Public transport: no scheduled trains, buses or Luas.
• Flights: Dublin Airport is open, but flights on the day are limited.

The Christmas morning swim

Every year, thousands of people run into the sea on Christmas morning. The Forty Foot is the most famous spot, but there are swims at Salthill, Tramore, Sandycove, Bray, Lahinch and dozens of other beaches, most raising money for local charities. The water is around 9 or 10 degrees, which is bracing, and the post-swim mince pie is earned.

If you’re joining in, stay close to shore, get out before you feel too cold, and have dry clothes and a hot drink ready.

Christmas away from home

Increasingly, Irish families spend Christmas in a hotel. Country house and city hotels run Christmas packages of two to four nights, with dinner, entertainment and someone else doing the dishes. They’re popular and book out early, often by the end of the summer, so if you like the idea for next year, start looking in spring.

Self-catering cottages are another option, especially for larger groups. Just remember that shops will be closed on the day, so stock up beforehand.

The run-up to Christmas

The weeks before Christmas are perfect for a short break. Christmas markets and light trails pop up in cities and estates across the country, and Galway, Cork, Belfast and Dublin all have markets. Abroad, Kraków, Copenhagen and Edinburgh are popular for a festive city break, with markets, lights and plenty of mulled wine.

Midweek stays in early December are often cheaper and quieter than weekends, so if you can take a day or two of leave, you’ll have a better time.

Travel tips for Christmas week

The days before Christmas are among the busiest of the year for travel. Airports, ferries and trains are packed, especially on 23 December. Book tickets early, leave plenty of time, and check timetables. Services usually wind down on Christmas Eve, with the last trains and buses leaving earlier than normal.

Irish Christmas traditions

Some customs are uniquely Irish. Many families still put a lit candle in the front window on Christmas Eve, a tradition said to welcome Mary and Joseph, and any stranger looking for shelter, and Midnight Mass remains a big night in many parishes, though plenty now hold it earlier in the evening. Christmas Eve is also one of the busiest nights of the year in pubs, as people home from abroad meet old friends.

The season doesn’t really end until 6 January. That’s Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Christmas, when, traditionally, the women of the house took the day off and the men did the work. It’s especially celebrated in Cork and Kerry, where women gather for a meal or a drink. It’s not a public holiday, but it’s a lovely excuse to get together.

For many, the Christmas fortnight is also the time emigrants come home, which makes Dublin Airport’s arrivals hall on 23 and 24 December one of the most emotional places in the country.

If you’re spending Christmas in a rented cottage or a hotel, ask in advance about Christmas Day itself: some places close their restaurant, others require booking lunch months ahead, and almost nothing nearby will be open to fall back on.

Add it to your calendar

Do you get the day off?

Most workers are owed a benefit for every public holiday, but it isn’t always the day itself. Read your public holiday rights.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if Christmas Day falls on a Sunday?

Banks and most employers give the next weekday off. Because St Stephen’s Day is on Monday, Christmas usually moves to Tuesday.

Are shops open on Christmas Eve in Ireland?

Yes. Most shops open on Christmas Eve, usually closing earlier than normal in the late afternoon or early evening.

Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Ireland?

No. Christmas Eve is not a public holiday, though many employers close early or give the day off.

Does public transport run on Christmas Day in Ireland?

No. There are no scheduled public transport services on Christmas Day.

Are pubs open on Christmas Day in Ireland?

No. Pubs must close on Christmas Day. Hotels can serve food and drink to guests and diners.

What's open on the day →Plan your leave for the year →Events & things to do →