December 26 National Days

December 26, 2025, is the 360th day of the year, with 5 days remaining until the end of the year. Today’s observances remain centered on calmer, post-Christmas themes, with a focus on home and gratitude.

Below is a list of all national and international days celebrated on December 26, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on December 26

Boxing Day is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth countries as a public holiday following Christmas. Traditionally linked to giving boxes of goods or money to workers and people in need, it is now commonly associated with family visits, sporting events, and post-Christmas sales.

National Candy Cane Day celebrates the iconic red-and-white striped candy associated with the holidays. Folklore traces it to 17th-century Germany, where white sugar sticks were given to children during long church services at Cologne Cathedral to help them stay quiet. These early canes were plain and unflavored, with red stripes and peppermint becoming common around the turn of the 20th century. Large-scale production followed in the 1950s after Gregory Keller developed a machine to automate their making.

National Candy Cane Day

National Homeowners Day recognizes both current homeowners and those working toward owning a home, highlighting homeownership as a long-term source of stability and financial security. Observed on December 26, the date was chosen because buyer competition often dips during the holiday period, making it a strategic time to consider real estate decisions. The observance was founded in 2020 by Paisley Vartanian to acknowledge the effort involved in maintaining a home and to encourage future homeowners to plan with intention.

National Thank You Note Day encourages expressing gratitude through written notes following Christmas gift-giving and gatherings. Observed on December 26, it highlights the value of handwritten messages as a more personal way to thank others for gifts, hospitality, and kindness.

National Handwriting Day

National Whiners Day is a humorous response to the complaints that often surface after Christmas. Founded in 1986 by Kevin Zaborney, the day allows space to vent minor frustrations before shifting attention back to gratitude.