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Why Is January 6th Called Old Christmas Day? Explanation and History

Discover why January 6th is known as Old Christmas Day and its connection to the Julian calendar and Epiphany.

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Video transcript

January 6th is called Old Christmas Day because it marks Christmas as celebrated by the Julian calendar, which was used before the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582. Many communities who continued with the Julian calendar observe January 6th as the last day of the Christmas season, known also as Epiphany.

Questions and answers

  1. What is Old Christmas Day?

    Old Christmas Day refers to January 6th, the date when Christmas was celebrated according to the Julian calendar before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.

  2. Why do some communities celebrate Christmas on January 6th?

    Some communities continue to follow the Julian calendar, making January 6th their Christmas Day, which coincides with the Christian feast of Epiphany.

  3. What is the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars?

    The Julian calendar was replaced by the Gregorian calendar in 1582 to better align the calendar year with the solar year, shifting dates such as Christmas by about 13 days.

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For more insights into Christmas traditions and calendar history, explore our related videos on the origins of Christmas dates and the significance of Epiphany around the world.