December 26th. The Most Overlooked Day of the Christmas Season

December 26th is a date that, although it often goes unnoticed in much of Spain, has a deep historical, religious, and cultural tradition both within the country and beyond its borders. It is the feast day of Saint Stephen, considered the first martyr of Christianity, and it is an official public holiday in several Spanish Autonomous Communities.

Saint Stephen was one of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles to care for the most vulnerable members of the first Christian community in Jerusalem. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was accused of blasphemy and was stoned to death around the year 35 AD. His figure symbolizes commitment, social justice, and fidelity to one’s convictions—values that have shaped his commemoration throughout the centuries.

In the liturgical calendar, Saint Stephen’s Day falls immediately after Christmas, within the so-called Octave of Christmas. This placement is not accidental: it reminds us that the message of peace and love associated with the birth of Jesus coexists with the reality of sacrifice and self-giving. For this reason, December 26th retains a solemn yet festive tone.

In Spain, the day is a public holiday in Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, and some areas of Aragon. There, it is experienced as a natural continuation of the Christmas celebrations and is known, especially in the Balearic Islands, as Segona Festa (Second Feast), a day when family and friends continue to gather and celebrate together.

In Catalonia, for example, the traditional Sant Esteve lunch features dishes such as cannelloni, historically prepared to make use of leftovers from the Christmas Day meal. This custom reflects the practical, family-oriented spirit of the date. As a curious and flavorful gastronomic note, eating cannelloni on this day is a deeply rooted tradition in the region. They are generally made with leftovers from Christmas lunch, although in many households they are prepared in advance to avoid last-minute rushes and to better enjoy the festivities with family and friends.

Internationally, December 26th is also widely celebrated. In countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, it is known as Boxing Day. Although its origins are not strictly religious, the day is linked to old charitable traditions, when churches opened donation boxes to distribute gifts to those in need.

In other European countries, such as Italy, Germany—where it is literally called the Second Day of Christmas (Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag)—and Austria, Saint Stephen’s Day is also a public holiday dedicated to family gatherings, religious services, and cultural events. In Ireland, it also blends with popular celebrations like Wren Day, which has pagan roots.

Today, December 26th continues to preserve its essence as a day of rest, togetherness, and an extension of the Christmas spirit, adapted to each cultural context. Whether through Christian tradition, family customs, or the working calendar, Saint Stephen’s Day reminds us of the importance of solidarity, historical memory, and the value of sharing time with those we love.