Ukrainian Christmas Traditions
There is a special rhythm to Christmas in Ukraine, a blend of old traditions and familiar celebrations that bring people together year after year. Whether you grew up with these customs or are discovering them for the first time, Ukrainian Christmas offers a season full of meaning, comfort, and connection. Read on to explore some of the most cherished Ukrainian Christmas traditions and the stories behind them.
Contents
- When is Christmas in Ukraine? | Коли Різдво в Україні?
- St Nicholas Day | День Святого Миколая
- Ukrainian Christmas Eve | Святий Вечір
- Christmas Day | Різдво Христове
- ‘Old’ New Year – Malanka | Маланка
- The Baptism of the Lord | Хрещення Господнє
- Ukrainian Christmas Traditions | Традиції святкування Різдва в Україні
- The Didukh | Дідух
- Carolling | Колядування
- Vertep | Вертеп
- Keeping Ukrainian Christmas Traditions Alive | Збереження українських різдвяних традицій
When is Christmas in Ukraine?
Коли Різдво в Україні?
In the past, Christmas in Ukraine was always celebrated in January: The Holy Evening (Святий Вечір) took place on the 6th, and Christmas Day (Різдво Христове) on the 7th. However, from September 1, 2023, both the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the new calendar. This means that now most holidays are celebrated 13 days earlier.
Following the adoption of the new calendar, День Святого Миколая will now fall on 6 December, Святий Вечір on 24 December, and Різдво Христове on the 25th. For a more in depth look at the date changes, you can view our blog post and updated calendar here.
St Nicholas Day
День Святого Миколая
Unlike gift giving in most western countries, well-behaved Ukrainian children will receive a Christmas gift a few weeks prior to Christmas Day – on St Nicholas Day!
Traditionally falling on December 19, but now on December 6, this day typically marks the beginning of the festive period for most Ukrainian families. Святий Миколай (Sviaty Mykolai) visits the children on the evening before, and leaves a gift under their pillow.
Christmas Eve
Святий Вечір
Святий Вечір (Holy Evening) is the Ukrainian version of Christmas Eve, and one of the most important family holidays. This holiday is highly symbolic in Ukrainian culture, with the celebration beginning once the first star has been spotted in the sky.
Ukrainians traditionally cook 12 meat and dairy free festive dishes to represent the 12 disciples. At the table you may find dishes like Kutya (often the most important), mushroom soup, meat-free borshch, varenyky, holubtsi, and other dishes rooted in tradition and spiritual meaning. You can read more about the 12 Dishes of Sviaty Vechir in our blog post here.
Christmas Day
Різдво Христове
Christmas Day in Ukraine is known as Різдво Христове [Rizdvo Chrystove] which means “The Birth of Christ”, or simply just as Різдво.
On the morning of December 25 there is a special greeting: «Христос народився!» – Christ is Born! To which the response is «Славімо його!» – “Let us glorify Him!”
'Old' New Year - Malanka
Маланка
Маланка, sometimes called Щедрий вечір (generous evening) or ‘Old New Year’, is a traditional Ukrainian holiday signifying New Year in the Julian Calendar. This festive occasion marks the end of the winter holiday season. Participants engage in a colourful and spirited procession, donning elaborate costumes that often include masks and whimsical outfits representing various characters from Ukrainian folklore. Malanka is characterised by vibrant music, energetic dancing, and the clinking of glasses as revellers come together to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with enthusiasm and merriment.
Food is important at Malanka, as it is believed that the greater variety of dishes the more generous the coming year will be. Just like at Sviaty Vechir, one of the most symbolic dishes for Malanka is Кутя [Kutya]. Baked goods are also of a high significance, with the belief that the more golden the bake, the more happiness you will have in the New Year.
The Baptism of the Lord
Хрещення Господнє
The Baptism of Jesus Christ is the final major holiday of the Christmas-New Year cycle for Orthodox and Greek Catholic Christians, taking place on January 19 (according to the old calendar). Folk celebrations held on the day of Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord are called Водохреще [vodochreshche], a Water Baptism. This holiday absorbed many pagan and Christian rites, the central place among which is occupied by rites related to water.
On this day, many Ukrainians take part in water rituals such as swimming or bathing in icy waters, or visiting rivers and ice holes for water consecration. This is a powerful symbol of renewal, purity, and faith that closes the holiday cycle with reverence and hope.
Ukrainian Christmas Traditions
Традиції святкування Різдва в Україні
Within the celebratory days mentioned above, there are several Ukrainian Christmas traditions that are interwoven into the festivities.
The Didukh | Дідух
Among the simplest yet most meaningful traditions is the Didukh. The Didukh is a highly symbolic Ukrainian Christmas decoration, and one of the oldest, which is made with wheat stalks from the autumn harvest. “Didukh” literally means ‘Grandfather’s spirit’, and it is believed that the spirits of ancestors reside in it during the holidays.
The sheath is brought inside and placed under religious icons on the evening of the 6th, usually after the first star is seen in the sky. It remains inside for the whole Christmas period until the Malanka celebrations take place, when it is burnt on a bonfire. The talisman also protects the household from any unkind spirits or evil, as goes the saying “Didukh goes into the house, trouble goes out of the house“.
Carolling | Колядування
No Ukrainian Christmas would be complete without Christmas Carols (Колядки). Carolling begins on Святий Вечір and typically continues for the following two weeks. Колядування transforms homes and streets as groups of carollers travel from door to door, singing, carrying a large star (resembling the Star of Bethlehem), and bringing joy to every house they visit.
It’s a vibrant tradition – a way to connect, to share blessings, and to pass on songs that have echoed for generations. It is customary to treat the carollers with gifts or donations, reminding us that Christmas is about community as much as celebration.
Vertep | Вертеп
Another tradition is the Вертеп: A Ukrainian Christmas portable puppet theatre and drama. In the past, the Nativity scene was a two-tiered box, representing Heaven and Earth, with puppets enacting the Nativity and other scenes. Nowadays, many take part in live performances: children and adults dressed up, singing carols, sharing stories of the birth of Christ.
Keeping Ukrainian Christmas Traditions Alive
Збереження українських різдвяних традицій
Behind every Ukrainian Christmas tradition is a sense of continuity, a feeling that even in changing times, something timeless endures. By celebrating these customs, whether with a full table or a simple quiet ritual, we reconnect with the people and places that shaped us. Christmas becomes a moment to honour the warmth, resilience, and spirit within our heritage, carrying it proudly into the present.
In today’s world, where we may be scattered across countries or continents, these customs remind us who we are. They invite us to remember, to honour, to celebrate together – even if we’re far from home.
Why not bring a little Ukrainian Christmas into your home? Whether you try lighting a candle, preparing a Ukrainian recipe, or listening to a familiar Christmas carol, embrace a piece of our festive heritage this season. Even the smallest tradition can make the season feel special. Take part in a living story, one passed from generation to generation, keeping our roots alive wherever we are. And if you do, we’d love to hear about it.
