Epiphany in the United Kingdom

Epiphany, or Three Kings' Day, marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas for most people in the United Kingdom (UK).

Is Epiphany a Bank Holiday?

Epiphany is not a public holiday in the United Kingdom.

What Do People Do on Epiphany?

January 6 is officially the last day of Christmas and the last day to remove your Christmas decorations. However, decorations in town centers and shopping malls may stay on display for longer, as it can take many days or weeks to remove them all.

Some people attend church services on Epiphany.

Ancient Celebrations

Midwinter festivals and parties have been held on the islands that now form the United Kingdom for thousands of years. When people began to convert to Christianity, aspects of the original festivals were incorporated into Christian celebrations. The Midwinter festival lasting for many days became the Twelve Days of Christmas. This period begins on Boxing Day on December 26 and lasts until Epiphany on January 6.

Is Epiphany the same as Twelfth Night?

No, Twelfth Night is the evening before Epiphany, also known as Epiphany Eve, on January 5.

About Epiphany in Other Countries

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.