Christmas Holidays – 2026: folk beliefs and prohibitions on holidays

Yuletide is an important period of national and Christian celebrations. It is the time of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ and the Epiphany of the Lord, as well as the embodiment of the ancient customs of caroling, fortune-telling and folk beliefs. During this period, people tried to clean their homes and souls, and observed various prohibitions in order to attract prosperity in the coming year. For more information about what customs are associated with the Christmas Holidays, see the Izvestia article.

What is Christmas Yuletide: the history of the holiday

Christmas Eve is a long period of celebration that covers the time from Christmas to Epiphany. The word "Yuletide" comes from the verb "to sanctify", as these days are dedicated to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and are filled with religious rituals. Historically, the first mentions of Yuletide dates back to the 4th century, when Christianity established the practice of celebrating 12 holy days after Christmas.

Before the adoption of Christianity, the Slavs honored Kolyada, a deity who symbolized the young sun and the new year, which brought fertility and prosperity. During the Yuletide period, people held festivities, baked ritual gingerbread, lit candles in a decorated wheel and lit a new fire to replace the old one — a symbol of renewal and a new life.

After the adoption of Christianity, the church tried to protect the people from the old pagan rites, forbidding fortune-telling and caroling at the official level. The clergy called for devoting this period to charity: visiting the sick and poor, receiving guests, and helping the poor, because in those days it was believed that God's grace came with good deeds.

When is Yuletide celebrated in 2026

Yuletide in 2026 begins immediately after the celebration of the Nativity of Christ and lasts according to the Orthodox calendar from January 7 to January 17. This period is also called holy evenings, a time filled with festive divine services, folk rituals and mystical beliefs.

Yuletide begins on the night of January 6-7, when, after the stars appear in the sky, believers sit down at the festive table, remembering the star of Bethlehem, which announced the birth of Christ. This period ends with the celebration of Epiphany, which is celebrated on the night of January 18-19. This day marks the end of the Yuletide days and the beginning of a new church period.

The Yuletide period is filled with special liturgical features: the first days are dedicated to the Nativity of Christ and his celebrations, the middle falls on the Circumcision of the Lord and St. Basil the Great, and the last days are associated with preparations for Epiphany and Baptism.

Christmas Holidays – 2026: traditions and customs

One of the most popular and recognizable Christmas traditions is caroling. His main goal was to lure prosperity, harvest and health for the next year. People went from house to house, sang carols, wearing costumes of mythical and fairy-tale characters, which helped appease the spirits and provide protection from evil. It was important not only to sing, but also to receive treats, which was perceived as a blessing and a sign of good fortune.

The festive table occupied a special place these days. It was always attended by ritual dishes such as kutia, pies, gingerbread and jams. It was believed that such food attracts wealth, fertility and prosperity.

It was also important during this period to devote time to commemorating deceased relatives. This ritual included lighting candles in memory of the ancestors, visiting graves and preparing special prayers. Purification rituals were also widely practiced at this time: cleaning the house, lighting candles and making a new fire symbolized getting rid of illness and evil spirits.

What can and cannot be done on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, there were certain rules and prohibitions that made sense from both a spiritual and a domestic point of view and helped to maintain well-being in the home and family. It was impossible to engage in hard physical labor, household chores, so as not to incur fatigue and troubles, and to devote the holiday to rest and spiritual renewal. Showdowns, quarrels, and gossip were strictly forbidden, as negative energy was traditionally perceived as the cause of failures and illnesses.

It was recommended to dress for Christmas in light, clean clothes — this symbolized the light and purity of the inner world, which helped attract positive energy. At the festive table, it was not welcome to borrow or lend money, as well as complain about life, since the spirit of gratitude and joy was considered the key to a successful year.

Fortune-telling, although it was a popular entertainment, was treated with caution and condemned in the Orthodox tradition, being considered pagan rituals capable of harm rather than help. Among the permitted actions were attending divine services, spending time with family and friends, showing mercy by giving gifts, helping those in need, and participating in charity.