Christmas 2019 and 2020 in Rwanda
Christmas in Rwanda is celebrated with a public holiday every 25 December, as it is in a majority of countries around the world. This Christian festivity commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is part of a 22-28 day season in the Christian calendar known as Advent.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 25 Dec | Wed | Christmas Day |
| 2020 | 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 28 Dec | Mon | Christmas Holiday |
On Christmas Eve, the streets of Kigali and other cities traditionally fill up with those singing Christmas songs on their way to and from church. Church, family, and food are easily the three key pillars of Christmas in Rwanda.
Rwanda has very little commercialisation of Christmas compared to other countries. You won’t find many Santas, reindeer, and Christmas trees. And many families don’t even exchange gifts. Instead, 25 December is focused on family and a festive meal together.
To see any significant degree of Christmas decorations on display, the places to visit are higher-end hotels and shopping centres.