Little Christmas

Calendar shifts and origins

Liturgical differences in early Christianity meant Eastern Roman churches observed Christmas on 6 January as early as the fourth century, while Western churches chose 25 December. The name Old Christmas stems from the calendar reform of 1752, when the British Empire adopted the Gregorian calendar. Advancing the date by eleven days caused the former holiday date to fall in early January. Following an extra Julian leap year in 1800, Old Christmas aligned with 6 January, matching Epiphany. Although further calendar shifts occurred in 1900, the custom of observing Little Christmas on the sixth remained firmly in place.

Women's Christmas in Ireland

In Ireland, 6 January is known as Nollaig na mBan, or Women's Christmas. Traditionally, men took over domestic duties to give female relatives a day of rest after holiday preparations. Roast goose was the customary dish for the evening meal. Women gathered with friends and female relatives in pubs, cafes, and restaurants. The date also marks the moment to take down the Christmas tree and festive greenery, as leaving decorations up longer was considered unlucky. Modern celebrations include local council festivals, charity ocean swims, and social evenings where women celebrate companionship.

North American traditions

Anabaptist groups such as the Amish and Mennonites observe 6 January as a holy day. They prepare by fasting, which concludes with a shared holiday dinner alongside relatives and neighbours. In the Appalachian region of the United States, traditional folk songs like the Cherry-Tree Carol preserve the older date of the Nativity, describing the birth of Jesus on the sixth of January. In certain Ozark communities, historic folklore involved burying hen entrails beneath the hearth on Old Christmas to shield the home from lightning strikes and fires.

Blessings and house rituals

Across many Christian traditions, Little Christmas marks the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. Household customs include burning Christmas candles, singing carols, and having clergy bless homes. In an Epiphany ritual known as chalking the door, residents write blessed inscriptions above entryways to invoke protection for the coming year. In Irish set dancing, a figure called Little Christmas reflects the day's festive spirit, with dancers joining hands behind their backs and moving in circles, echoing the cheerful social visits of the holiday.

How Little Christmas is kept

Celebrations begin after Twelfth Night, on 6 January. Believers often attend church services, sing carols, and have their dwellings blessed. Some groups fast before sharing a festive dinner with family and neighbours. In Ireland, women gather for meals and social outings while men handle domestic chores, and families dismantle holiday decorations. In other regions, children receive gifts to commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men, and candles are burned to conclude the festive season.

When and where

Little Christmas is celebrated on 6 January each year, directly following the twelve days of Christmastide. The date aligns with Epiphany and stems from historic shifts between the Julian and Gregorian calendar systems.

The observance is strongly rooted in Ireland, where it is celebrated nationwide. It is also kept by Amish and Mennonite communities in North America, in parts of the Scottish Highlands, and across Spanish-speaking countries.

What Little Christmas means

The day commemorates the biblical Magi visiting the Christ child and honors the close of the Christmas cycle. In Ireland, it symbolizes mutual appreciation within households, acknowledging women's labour during the festive season. The blessing of houses and chalking of doorways represent spiritual renewal, safety, and hospitality for the year ahead.

Days Little Christmas is marked

Questions people ask about Little Christmas

See also

Advent wreathAn evergreen ring of candles lit week by week in the lead-up to ChristmasGood FridayA solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.Holy WeekThe solemn seven days leading to Easter, recalling the final week and Passion of JesusChristmas EveThe evening before Christmas, marked by church services, family meals, and gift preparations across Christian cultures.

Good reading and sources

• The roots and traditions of Nollaig na mBanRTE, Article
• BBC - ReligionsBBC, Article
• The roots and traditions of Nollaig na mBanRTE, Article
• BBC - ReligionsBBC, Article

• Little Christmas on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.