What Is Boxing Day? Meaning, History and UK Traditions
Boxing Day is 26 December, the day after Christmas, and a bank holiday across the UK. It takes its name from the “Christmas box” of money or gifts once given to servants and tradespeople. Today Boxing Day in the UK means football, racing, winter walks and the sales. Boxing Day 2026 falls on Saturday 26 December, so the bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December.
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day. It is a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and a holiday in many Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In Ireland, 26 December is St Stephen’s Day.
When 26 December falls at a weekend, the bank holiday moves to the next weekday. In 2026, Christmas Day is Friday 25 December and Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December, so the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December (source: GOV.UK bank holidays).
Why is it called Boxing Day? The meaning
The Boxing Day meaning has nothing to do with the sport. The name comes from the “Christmas box”, a gift of money, food or goods given after Christmas to people who had worked for a household or business during the year, such as servants and tradespeople. The usual explanation is that servants worked on Christmas Day and were given the next day off to visit their families, taking their Christmas box with them. Another points to churches, which collected money for the poor in alms boxes and shared it out after Christmas.
The history of Boxing Day
Giving Christmas boxes is centuries old in Britain, and the name “Boxing Day” became widely used in the Victorian era. 26 December is also the feast of St Stephen, which is why the carol “Good King Wenceslas” is set “on the Feast of Stephen”. Boxing Day became a bank holiday in England, Wales and Ireland under the Bank Holidays Act 1871. Over time it changed from a day of giving into a holiday for family, sport and shopping.
Boxing Day traditions in the UK
Football and horse racing
Boxing Day is one of the biggest days in the sporting year, with a full football programme. The King George VI Chase at Kempton Park is scheduled for Saturday 26 December 2026.
The Boxing Day sales
For many people Boxing Day means the sales, and London’s shopping streets are among the busiest in the country. Plan your route with London’s best shopping streets for the sales, and check each shop’s opening hours before you go.
Walks and fresh air
After a day indoors, a Boxing Day walk is a family tradition for many, in the countryside, by the sea or in a city park.
Family visits and leftovers
A day for seeing relatives and friends, often over cold turkey, ham and bubble and squeak.
Boxing Day in London 2026
- Transport: services on Boxing Day are usually reduced. TfL publishes its Christmas plans in December, so check TfL travel information before you travel.
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is open on Boxing Day; it is closed only on Christmas Day. See Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2026 dates and tickets.
- The sales: Marble Arch, at the west end of Oxford Street, is one stop on the Central line from Lancaster Gate, and Bond Street is two.
- Ice skating: Hampton Court Palace’s ice rink is open from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed only on Christmas Day, according to Historic Royal Palaces.
- Christmas at Kew: the evening light trail runs on selected dates over the festive season; check the dates on Kew’s website and read our guide to Kew Gardens.
- A walk in the park: Hyde Park is within walking distance of The Edward Hotel Paddington, an easy Boxing Day walk with no transport needed.
Staying in Paddington over Christmas
With transport reduced over Christmas, where you stay matters. The Edward Hotel is at 1A Spring Street, London W2 3RA, 2–3 minutes’ walk from Paddington Station, with the Elizabeth line, several Tube lines and the Heathrow Express at the station. Reception is open 24 hours, there is a lift, and every room is en-suite, from singles to quads and suites. If you are coming in for the sales, our hotel by Paddington Station is one stop from Marble Arch on the Central line from Lancaster Gate. See our current offers for direct bookings and book direct on our website for our best rate.