Christmas Day in Luxembourg

A legal holiday on 25 December

Christmas Day is one of Luxembourg’s 11 statutory public holidays. The holiday falls on 25 December; 26 December, Stiefesdag or Boxing Day, is a separate legal holiday. The date and legal status are listed by the government.[1][2]

For salaried workers and apprentices in private-sector employment, public holiday entitlements depend in part on their normal work schedule. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday and is not worked, an employee is entitled to a compensatory day of leave. If the holiday falls on a day they would not normally work, the rules also provide compensatory leave. Where work on a public holiday is required, specific pay and leave rules apply.[2]

Worship and family customs

Christmas in Luxembourg has Christian roots, and practising Christians may attend midnight Mass on 24 December or Christmas Mass on 25 December. In many villages, children perform nativity plays in churches. Luxembourg’s communities also bring different customs to the season.[1]

Families may gather on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or across the three days of 24, 25 and 26 December. Some exchange presents on Christmas Eve and others on Christmas Day; the government’s account describes the Crëschtkëndchen, or baby Jesus, as the traditional gift-bringer. Family meals vary, with venison, trout and beef among the traditional Luxembourgish foods named by the government.[1]

Seasonal food

The official tourism and government guide associates Träipen, or black pudding, with winter and describes it served with mashed potatoes and apple sauce. It also identifies Boxemännercher, human-shaped brioche buns, as a December bakery treat. These are seasonal customs rather than a fixed Christmas Day menu.[1]

Closures and getting around

The government says most shops, banks and businesses close on the afternoon of 24 December and remain closed on 25 and 26 December. Retail rules specifically prohibit opening on 25 December, with exceptions for butcher shops, bakeries, pastry shops, caterers and cafés serving customers; those businesses may open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.[1][3]

For public transport, travellers can look up routes and timetables by line or stop on Mobiliteit.lu. Check the service information before travelling around the holiday.[4]