Many Ukrainians have a day off on Christmas Day, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is an annual public holiday across Ukraine and falls on January 7, the Orthodox Christmas date.
Christmas for many Ukrainians is an important family holiday. When Ukraine was part of the former Soviet Union, Christmas Day was not a public holiday but Christmas traditions were not forgotten. After Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, Christmas Day was made a public holiday.
Many Orthodox Christian churches in Ukraine observe the Christmas Day date from the Julian calendar, which is different from the more commonly used Gregorian calendar. So, while Christmas is still on December 25 in the Julian calendar, it appears on January 7 in the Gregorian calendar, up until 2100. After that, the Gregorian date for Orthodox Christmas will be January 8 in 2101.
Holidays and Observances in Ukraine in 2022
| Date | Name | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | National holiday |
| Jan 7 | Thursday | Orthodox Christmas Day | National holiday, Orthodox |
| Jan 14 | Thursday | Orthodox New Year | Observance, Orthodox |
| Jan 22 | Friday | Ukrainian Unity Day | Observance |
| Jan 25 | Monday | Tatiana Day | Observance |
| Feb 14 | Sunday | Valentine’s Day | Observance |
| Mar 8 | Monday | International Women’s Day | National holiday |
| Mar 20 | Saturday | March Equinox | Season |
| Mar 28 | Sunday | Daylight Saving Time starts | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time |
| Apr 1 | Thursday | April Fools | Observance |
| May 1 | Saturday | Labor Day | National holiday |
| May 2 | Sunday | Orthodox Easter Day | National holiday, Orthodox |
| May 3 | Monday | Orthodox Easter Day holiday | National holiday, Orthodox |
| May 9 | Sunday | Victory Day / Memorial Day | National holiday |
| May 9 | Sunday | Mother’s Day | Observance |
| May 10 | Monday | Victory Day / Memorial Day observed | National holiday |
| May 15 | Saturday | Europe Day | Observance |
| May 30 | Sunday | Kiev Day | Observance |
| Jun 20 | Sunday | Orthodox Pentecost | National holiday, Orthodox |
| Jun 21 | Monday | June Solstice | Season |
| Jun 21 | Monday | Orthodox Pentecost holiday | National holiday, Orthodox |
| Jun 28 | Monday | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Jul 4 | Sunday | Navy Day | Observance |
| Jul 7 | Wednesday | Kupala Night | Observance |
| Jul 8 | Thursday | Family Day | Observance |
| Jul 28 | Wednesday | Baptism of Kyivan Rus | Observance |
| Aug 24 | Tuesday | Independence Day | National holiday |
| Sep 22 | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season |
| Oct 3 | Sunday | Teacher’s Day | Observance |
