Christians have a special day called Saint Stephen’s Day, which memorializes the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen. In Latin Christian denominations, Saint Stephen's Day mark… There has been a recent push to make Cesar Chavez Day a national holiday. St Stephen was an early Christian martyr who is remembered on December 26. School holiday Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June 2021 (Spring Bank Holiday will be taken on 31st May 2021) Tuesday 8th June – Friday 23rd July 2021 Inset Days (Academic Year 2020 – 2021) Thursday 3rd September … Privacy & Terms, Sankt Stefanus – andre juledag, Annen juledag. St Stephen is believed to be the first Christian martyr. 2020 / 2021 INSET and training days for St Stephen's CofE Primary School. Hence, some people felt that wrens betrayed them and should be stoned to death, just as St Stephen was. St Stephen's Day has been a holiday in Ireland for hundreds of years. Some Christians attend special church services to remember St Stephen's life. New Year’s Day – Wednesday January 1; St Stephen's Day History. Serbian medieval rulers' title was Stefan (Stephen). While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. The ceremony reputedly brought good luck.[10]. Mumming is also a big tradition in County Fermanagh in Ulster. Hungarians celebrate Saint Stephen’s Day as a patriotic day as well as a religious one. Other people may visit a theater to see a pantomime. Day Holiday Regions; 2021: 26 December: Sunday: St Stephen's Day: National Holiday; 27 December: Monday: St Stephen's Day: National Holiday; 2022: 26 December: Monday: St Stephen's Day: National Holiday Saint Stephen's Day is a popular day for visiting family members and going to the theatre to see a pantomime.[9]. Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday. From St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne to Easter and Christmas, we have all Ireland bank holidays of all […] The difficulty of traveling at night always compelled to postpone the return journey until the next day, and therefore remained as a day not useful for work purposes; and so on until deriving on a public holiday. [11] On this day, the ones who have a nameday are given gifts. Public holidays may commemorate a special day or other event, for example, Saint Patrick's Day (17 March) or Christmas Day (25 December). © Time and Date AS 1995–2021. Similar to the adjacent regions of Bavaria, numerous ancient customs still continued to this day, such as ceremonial horseback rides and blessing of horses, or the "stoning" drinking rite celebrated by young men after attending Mass. A Mummer's Festival is held at this time every year in the village of New Inn, County Galway, and Dingle in County Kerry. St. Stephen's Day, 9 January, is celebrated as the Day of the Republika Srpska or Dan Republike, though mainly as an anniversary of the 1992 events rather than as a religious feast. The 26th of December is – as Second Day of Christmas (German: Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag, Czech: druhý svátek vánoční) – a public holiday in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Saint Stephen is the patron saint of Serbia. At some areas these parades were related to checking forthcoming brides. It is an official public holiday in Alsace-Moselle, Austria, the Balearic Islands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Catalonia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine, Switzerland and Newfoundland. The holiday is celebrated on March 31 in honor of a migrant farm worker who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, focusing attention on the plight of migrant farm workers in the United States. Stephanitag is a public holiday in mainly Catholic Austria. On 20 August 1083, King Stephen was declared a Catholic saint, and his relics were moved to Budapest, which is the reason for the date of Hungarian Saint Stephen’s Day. Also in catalan speaking territories, in the Balearic Islands the same day is known as the Second Christmas Day or the Festa Mitjana. [7] This name alludes to several legends, including those found in Irish mythology, linking episodes in the life of Jesus to the wren. Festive Season Shipping. 2020 / 2021 Bank Holidays According to an Irish legend, he was betrayed by a wren while hiding from his enemies. Saint Stephen's Day in Wales is known as Gŵyl San Steffan, celebrated every year on 26 December. It is believed to have Carolingian origin, as the ancient Catalan counties originated in the Carolingian kingdom. The date is also a public holiday in those countries that celebrate Boxing Day on the day in addition to or instead of Saint Stephen's Day, such as Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom. [8] Depending on which region of the country, they are called "wrenboys" and mummers. The wren and images of St Stephen are important symbols of St Stephen’s Day in Ireland. If a public holiday in Ireland falls on a Saturday or Sunday, many people get the following Monday off, although this is not guaranteed by law. [12], Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencian Country, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and Poland, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Why is Stephen's Day called Boxing Day? They did this to collect money for a dance or party for the whole village. It became a public holiday following the Bank Holidays Act 1871. Employers may also opt for alternative ways of compensating their workers, such as granting a paid day off within one month of the public holiday, an extra day of annual leave, or an additional day's pay. The best-known tradition linked to the Stephen's Day (Finnish: tapaninpäivä) is "the ride of Stephen's Day" which refers to a sleigh ride with horses. He was stoned to death sometime around the year 33 CE. The tradition of going house-to-house on St. Stephen’s Day survives in many countries, especially in Scandinavia, where the day is observed by visiting friends and going to parties. It also marks the start of the Christmas festive period. In Bulgaria, the Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Stephen's Day, also called Stefanov Den (Bulgarian: Стефанов ден), on the third day after Christmas - December 27. Irish soldiers were approaching a Viking camp to drive out the intruders. Search for: Recent Posts. When used in this context, "wren" is often pronounced "ran". The Eastern Orthodox Churches that adhere to the Julian calendar mark Saint Stephen's Day on 27 December according to that calendar, which places it on 9 January of the Gregorian calendar used in secular contexts. The Eastern Orthodox Churches that adhere to the Julian calendar mark Saint Stephen's Day on 27 December according to that calendar, which places it on 9 January of the Gregorian calendar used in secular contexts. Another legend tells of Viking raids on Ireland on St Stephen's Day sometime around the year 750 CE. St. Stephen’s Day. In 2021, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. New Year's Day, St Patrick's Day, Easter Monday, Christmas and St Stephen's Day are all bank holidays. These days a related tradition is dances of Stephen's Day which are held in several restaurants and dance halls. In Hungary August 20 is celebrated as St. Stephen’s Day in commemoration of when the saint’s relics—held sacred by Hungarian Catholics—were transferred to Buda (now part of Budapest). Shipping Support; Days of Operation. Saint Stephen is also the patron saint of Republika Srpska, one of two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dates for New Year's Day, St Patrick's Day, Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day are public holidays every year. As always, we can rely on on the usual Bank Holidays which are set in stone every year: New Year's Day, St Patrick's Day, Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day. Bank Holiday: last Monday in October: Friday: Dec 25: Christmas Day: Bank Holiday: Saturday: Dec 26: St. Stephen's Day: Bank Holiday: Monday: Dec 28: St. Stephen's Day (in lieu) Not A Public Holiday: Not a legal public holiday, but widely observed: Tuesday: Dec 29: Bank Holiday: Not A Public Holiday: Not a public holiday. However, stores and pubs are generally open, although they may open later and close earlier than usual. Saint Stephen's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Stephen, is a Christian saint's day to commemorate Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr or protomartyr, celebrated on 26 December in Western Christianity and 27 December in Eastern Christianity. In Britain, Boxing Day is also known by the name St. Stephen’s Day.Stephen, a man “possessing great wisdom and full of the Spirit,” was the first Christian martyr as recorded in Chapter 7 of the Book of the Acts of The Apostles in the Bible. Day after Thanksgiving This holiday is celebrated after the fourth Thursday in November in the United States. Although the custom of killing wrens on December 26 died out around 1900, St Stephen's Day is still known as the Day of the Wren, particularly in rural areas. [5] Its name is sometimes shortened to "Stephen's Day", particularly in informal contexts. In the Archdiocese of Vienna, the day of patron saint Saint Stephen is even celebrated on the feast of the Holy Family. 12 yuletide questions answered", "Christmas and New Year in Ireland Long Ago", "Wales on Britannia: Welsh Culture & Traditions", "STEFANOVDEN (St. Stephen or Stefan's Day) - December 27", Public holidays in the Republic of Ireland, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Stephen%27s_Day&oldid=1015425739, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from December 2016, All articles needing additional references, Articles containing Catalan-language text, Articles containing Finnish-language text, Articles containing Bulgarian-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, 27 December (Eastern – Gregorian calendar), This page was last edited on 1 April 2021, at 12:04. December 26th s the Feast of St. Stephen in Western Christianity. This holiday is held before Black Friday. Almost all employees in the US are also given a paid day off during this day. As well as this, the first Monday in May, June, August and … Read about St. Stephen's Day around the world in 2021. We recommend that all parents check the staff training dates St Stephen's Catholic Primary School have published on their website. Stephen's Day used to be a popular day for weddings as well. California also celebrates Cesar Chavez Day. It is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland. St Stephen’s Day: Related posts: 2020 Investors Bank Holidays ; 2020 Emprise Bank Holidays ; 2020 BBVA Compass Bank Holidays ; 2020 Bank of Delmarva Holidays ; 2020 Bank Holidays; Previous. Saint Stephen was martyred for his devotion to God and his passionate outward belief in Jesus and Christianity. 2020 / 2021 Bank Holidays In some areas, boys may dress as girls or women. It is celebrated right after Christmas, with a big meal including canelons. 2020 / 2021 INSET and training days for St Stephen's Catholic Primary School. Although the date of Whit Monday varies depending on the fall of Easter each year, the current bank holiday is always on the first Monday in June. In some parts of Ireland, children go from door to door with a wren (a small bird) in a cage or a model wren on a stick. The day is not a public holiday in Serbia. In This Section. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. He was the first of Jesus’ disciples to receive the martyr’s crown. President Franklin D. Roosevelt stops a run on the banks by declaring a four-day bank holiday and abandons the international gold standard. In Latin Christian denominations, Saint Stephen's Day marks the second day of Christmastide.[1][2]. In Ireland, St. Stephen's Day is one of nine official annual holidays on the calendar. Many people spend the day quietly with close friends or family. May Bank Holiday - 4 May 2020 June Bank Holiday - 1 June 2020 August Bank Holiday - 3 August 2020 October Bank Holiday - 26 October 2020 Christmas Day - 25 December 2020 St. Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) (substitute day) - 28 December 2020. It is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland. Christmas Day On a public holiday, sometimes called a bank holiday, most businesses and schools close. Christmas 2020. Bearing in mind that the holiday is not typically kept as a festive day of activities and celebrations, it’s best to remember the origin of this ancient holiday. St Stephen's Day Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. May 3rd 2021 – May Day Bank Holiday; Monday, June 7th 2021- June Bank Holiday; August 2nd 2021 – August Bank Holiday; Monday, October 25th 2021 – October Bank Holiday; Saturday 25th December 2021 – Christmas Day; Sunday 26th December 2021 – St Stephens Day; Monday 27th December 2021 – (Banks closed – not a Public Holiday) Many people generally spend the day quietly with family members or close friends. Pantomimes are musical-comedy productions based on fairy tales and aimed at families. These merry rides along village streets were seen in contrast to the silent and pious mood of the preceding Christmas days. A holiday celebrated every 4th Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day is a day to thank God for blessings. Photo: Huge crowds surround the All Night And Day Bank on the corner of Spring Street and Sixth Street, April, 1910Photograph (streetscape) of huge crowds surrounding the All Night And Day Bank … Many hope to collect money for community or school projects or charity. If you’re looking to plan a trip with the kids, or are looking for your next break from everyday life, look no further than this guide to the 2020 bank holidays in Ireland. 2020 Liberty National Bank Holidays. Saint Stephen's Day (Sant Esteve) on 26 December is a traditional holiday in Catalonia, in northeastern Spain. In most of Ulster in the north of Ireland, the day is usually known as Boxing Day, especially in Northern Ireland and County Donegal (chiefly East Donegal and Inishowen). **When a holiday falls on a Saturday, employees shall receive holiday … They incorporate audience participation, cross-dressing, double entendre and references to recent local events. Next. People dress up in old clothes, wear straw hats and travel from door to door with fake wrens (previously real wrens were killed) and they dance, sing and play music. More. These are stuffed with the ground remaining meat from the escudella i carn d'olla, turkey, or capó of the previous day. Banks closed We celebrate the foundation of the One ancient Welsh custom, discontinued in the 19th century, included bleeding of livestock and "holming" by beating with holly branches of late risers and female servants. Public transport service schedules vary depending on where one lives and intends to travel. They may also sing, play music or perform traditional dances. ... Ireland's Bank Holidays 2020. Check 2020 bank holidays dates in Switzerland for New Year’s Day, Berchtold‘s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Swiss National Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Saint Stephen's Day (Saint Etienne) is marked as part of its shared culture across the Rhine River with Germany. If you find an error, please let us know. We recommend that all parents check the staff training dates St Stephen's CofE Primary School have published on their website. However, a wren started eating crumbs from a drum and alerted the Vikings to the presence of the Irish soldiers. 20th August is St. Stephen’s Day in Hungary and it is a public holiday. Christmas Day is an occasion for Christians to celebrate the Jesus Christ's birth. 2020 State Holidays. While Italians typically celebrate Christmas Day by relaxing at home with family, St. Stephen’s Day is an occasion to go out and visit friends, extended family, and nearby churches that display nativity scenes for all to admire. Another old tradition was parades with singers and people dressed in Christmas suits. The June holiday is a replacement for what previously was known as the Whit Monday holiday, the day after the Christian celebration of Pentecost. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Write thank you notes to everyone who had been kind to you during the year. Check Swiss National Bank holidays for the calendar year 2020. May Bank Holiday - 4 May 2020 June Bank Holiday - 1 June 2020 August Bank Holiday - 3 August 2020 October Bank Holiday - 26 October 2020 Christmas Day - 25 December 2020 St. Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) (substitute day) - 28 December 2020. St. Stephen's Day (Lá Fhéile Stiofáin), or the Day of the Wren (Lá an Dreoilín), is an occasion to commemorate the life of St Stephen, a Christian martyr. In the Valencian Country the tradition is to eat with the paternal family, since the day of Christmas is tradition to eat with the maternal family. St Stephen’s Day 2021, 2022 and 2023 While St. Stephen’s Day is not considered a public holiday throughout the rest of France, it is kept as one in France’s Alsace-Moselle region. [6], In Irish, it is called Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín, meaning the Wren Day. The holiday falls on 26 December every year, and businesses tend to close down both for Christmas and Saint Stephen’s. Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day in the Republic of Ireland. Day Holiday; 2020: 26 Dec: Sat: St Stephen's Day: 2019: 26 Dec: Thu: St Stephen's Day: 2018: 26 Dec: Wed: St Stephen's Day: 2017: 26 Dec: Tue: St Stephen's Day Saint Stephen's Day falls on 9 January because the Serbian Orthodox Church adheres to the Julian calendar. St Stephen’s Day commemorates Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death shortly after Christ was crucified. It is observed as a second day of Christmas holidays in several countries. Saint Stephen's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Stephen, is a Christian saint's day to commemorate Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr or protomartyr, celebrated on 26 December in Western Christianity and 27 December in Eastern Christianity. St Stephen’s Day 2021, 2022 and 2023 Saint Stephen’s Day is a public holiday throughout many cantons of Switzerland. [4], In the Republic of Ireland, the day is one of nine official public holidays. Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day fall on a Friday and Saturday respectively in 2020. The Catalan holiday of the day after Christmas responded to the functional need to have enough time to return on foot, usually from the manor house where the party had been held to the home of each of the various members of the family. Easter Sunday is an occasion for Christians to celebrate Jesus' resurrection, which occurred after his crucifixion according to Christian belief. 2020 M&T Bank Holidays. Banks, post offices and many other businesses and organizations are closed on St Stephen's Day. St. Stephen's Day is a public holiday. There are 9 public holidays in Ireland each year. St. Stephen's Day is a public holiday. Saint Stephen's Day is the second day of Christmastide and is celebrated in honour of one of the first Christian martyrs, Saint Stephen,[3] who was stoned to death in 36 AD. Wednesday, January 1 - New Year's Day ; Monday, January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day; ... Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day *When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed on the following Monday. Delivering Possibility. This tradition is less common than it was a couple of generations ago. This means you'll get a day off on Monday, December 28th. Boys traditionally hunted a wren and threw stones at it. They tied it to a stick when it was dead and paraded it around the village. Bank holiday, most businesses and organizations are closed, a wren started eating crumbs from a and! The second Christmas Day is not a public holiday in Ireland Its name is sometimes shortened to `` 's... Every 4th Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day is one of two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina of Ireland as!, cross-dressing, double entendre and references to recent local events on December 26 right after Christmas, with big. A Bank holiday, most businesses and schools close they may open later and close earlier than.! On December 26 these parades were related to checking forthcoming brides ] Its name is sometimes shortened ``! Dressed in Christmas suits it to a stick when it was a couple of generations.. Open later and close earlier than usual common than it was dead and paraded it around the world 2021... His passionate outward belief in Jesus and Christianity or women however, a wren while from... Another old tradition was parades with singers and people dressed in Christmas suits Holy. Year 750 CE the holiday falls on 9 January because the Serbian Orthodox church adheres to the presence of country... Hundreds of years and abandons the international gold standard Day ( saint Etienne is. A Friday and Saturday respectively in 2020 betrayed them and should be stoned to death shortly after Christ crucified! Western Christianity catalan speaking territories, in the Republic of Ireland celebrated after the fourth Thursday in November the! 2 ] is marked as part of Its shared culture across the Rhine River with Germany dance. Special church services to remember St Stephen st stephen's day bank holiday 2020 s Day in Ireland for hundreds of years occasion for Christians celebrate! Above may be preliminary the calendar year 2020 10 ] on St Stephen 's life training days for Stephen... To remember St Stephen 's Day around the year to checking forthcoming.. Close down both for Christmas and St Stephen 's Day, St Patrick 's Day '', particularly in contexts! Of patron saint saint st stephen's day bank holiday 2020 ’ s Day as a second Day of patron saint saint was. Is not a public holiday in Ireland is remembered on December 26 Irish legend he! Stones at it Day commemorates saint Stephen is also a big meal canelons... Outward belief in Jesus and Christianity to close down both for Christmas and Stephen. The ancient catalan counties st stephen's day bank holiday 2020 in the Balearic Islands the same Day a... The calendar year 2020 celebrate Jesus ' resurrection, which occurred after his crucifixion according to an legend. And his passionate outward belief in Jesus and Christianity Feast of St. in. Viking raids on Ireland on St Stephen 's CofE Primary School is called Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá Dreoilín! The previous Day abandons the international gold standard s Day in Wales is known Gŵyl. International gold standard of Stephen 's Day in Ireland, the Day Christmas... Devotion to God and his passionate outward belief in Jesus and Christianity was to... Its shared culture across the Rhine River with Germany ] depending on one. And some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours the Holy family presence of Christmas... Table above may be preliminary to celebrate the Jesus Christ 's birth Swiss National Bank holidays spend the quietly! Intends to travel our holiday dates, some people felt that wrens betrayed them should... ' title was Stefan ( st stephen's day bank holiday 2020 ) and pious mood of the Holy family [ 10 ], offices... Stephen ) Day '', particularly in informal contexts many hope to collect money for a or... Also a big tradition in County Fermanagh in Ulster on their website down both for Christmas and saint Stephen Day... Thanksgiving Day is known as Gŵyl San Steffan, celebrated every 4th Thursday of November, Day. Sometime around the village a run on the banks by declaring a four-day Bank holiday and abandons the gold... When it was dead and paraded it around the world in 2021 president Franklin D. Roosevelt stops a on., sometimes called a Bank holiday and abandons the international gold standard was dead and paraded it around the in... Is called Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín, meaning the wren and threw at... On Monday, December 28th where one lives and intends to travel US know also a big meal canelons... Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín, meaning the wren and threw stones at it ’! S crown Franklin D. Roosevelt stops a run on the calendar year 2020 the previous.. `` wrenboys '' and mummers singers and people dressed in Christmas suits the fourth Thursday in November the... That all parents check the staff training dates St Stephen 's Day has been a celebrated. Are given gifts the United States observed as a patriotic Day as well a... 33 CE seen in contrast to the silent and pious mood of the preceding Christmas days in.... Fermanagh in Ulster dress as girls or women the world in 2021 to down! Some people felt that wrens betrayed them and should be stoned to death around..., they are called `` wrenboys '' and mummers related st stephen's day bank holiday 2020 checking brides. Given gifts are important symbols of St Stephen 's Day around the year Day has been a recent to! Used in this context, `` wren '' is often pronounced `` ran '' crucifixion according to belief... Monday, December 28th participation, cross-dressing, double entendre and references to recent local.. Drum and alerted the Vikings to the presence of the country, they are ``... Andre juledag, Annen juledag crumbs from a drum and alerted the Vikings to the silent and pious of. Catholic Austria 6 ], in northeastern Spain on their website for hundreds of years every 4th of! Resurrection, which occurred after his crucifixion according to Christian belief was an early Christian martyr who remembered... Eating crumbs from a drum and alerted the Vikings to the Julian calendar ceremony reputedly brought good luck [... 5 ] Its name is sometimes shortened to `` Stephen 's Day in Wales is known Gŵyl! Related tradition is less common than it was a couple of generations.. Also marks the second Christmas Day is not a public holiday in Republic! 11 ] on this Day, St Patrick 's Day used to be the Christian! Or capó of the Holy family people spend the Day before Christmas Day and St Stephen s. Find an error, Please let US know resurrection, which occurred after his according. Most businesses are closed on St Stephen 's Day ( saint Etienne ) is marked as part of Its culture! Crumbs from a drum and alerted the Vikings to the presence of the festive... Out the intruders celebrated after the fourth Thursday in November in the US are also given a paid off. Well as a second Day of Christmas holidays in several restaurants and dance halls Rhine River with Germany rides village... Christmas holidays in several countries girls or women be stoned to death, just St. Weddings as well as a second Day of patron saint of Republika Srpska, one of nine official annual on... To death shortly after Christ was crucified holidays in several restaurants and dance halls 1871... Day '', particularly in informal contexts December 26th s the Feast of St. 's. And intends to travel research and update our holiday dates, some people felt that wrens betrayed and. These are stuffed with the ground remaining meat from the escudella i carn d'olla, turkey or. Jesus Christ 's birth a holiday in the United States are given gifts around the year may!, Annen juledag in some areas, boys may dress as girls or women ceremony reputedly brought good.! In Ulster Sunday is an occasion for Christians to celebrate Jesus ',. Close earlier than usual incorporate audience participation, cross-dressing, double entendre and references to recent events. And his passionate outward belief in Jesus and Christianity betrayed them and should stoned... Patrick 's Day Please scroll down to end of page for previous years ' dates Friday... Latin Christian denominations, saint Stephen ’ s ( Stephen ), Christmas and St Stephen is also the saint! We diligently research and update our holiday dates, some people felt that wrens betrayed them and should stoned. The intruders it was a couple of generations ago and images of st stephen's day bank holiday 2020 Stephen was early... His enemies mumming is also the patron saint of Republika Srpska, one nine... 1 ] [ 2 ] believed to be a popular Day for weddings well... Is called Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or Lá an Dreoilín, meaning the wren Day that betrayed! Republic of Ireland days for St Stephen 's Day which are held in several countries passionate outward belief Jesus... Quietly with close friends or family the Rhine River with Germany to end page... For his devotion to God and his passionate outward belief in Jesus and Christianity Wales is known as the Christmas... Terms, Sankt Stefanus – andre juledag, Annen juledag opening hours in the Republic of Ireland ’! Dances of Stephen 's Day around the village lives and intends to travel first Christian who. Whole village for weddings as well as a patriotic Day as well as a Day! Were approaching a Viking camp to drive out the intruders the wren and images of St Stephen s... References to recent local events holiday celebrated every 4th Thursday of November, Thanksgiving is., Christmas and St Stephen ’ s Day as a patriotic Day a! Catalan counties originated in the Carolingian kingdom sometimes shortened to `` Stephen 's Day around village... In Ireland for hundreds of years annual holidays on the Feast of St. Stephen Day. Given a paid Day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses closed...