Do Atheists Celebrate Christmas?

Every December, one of the most common questions floating around the internet is simple: do Atheists celebrate Christmas?

After all, Christmas is a Christian holiday, yet millions of nonreligious people still hang lights, exchange gifts and gather around Christmas trees.

The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. So let’s unwrap the mystery and help explain why Atheist Christmas traditions are more common than you might think.

First, let’s clear up the core question: can an Atheist celebrate Christmas? Absolutely. Atheists can celebrate whatever they want. That’s one of the best things about being Atheist — there are no restrictions on what you can and can’t celebrate.

Christmas, for many Atheists, has evolved into a cultural holiday that goes far beyond its religious origins. Just check the “can Atheists celebrate Christmas Reddit thread” to understand how common it is for nonbelievers to join in the festivities. The season has become a blend of family time, giving and winter traditions that don’t require a belief in the supernatural.

I think of it this way. Christmas is already a mashup of Christian and non-Christian traditions. There’s no gospel according to Santa. So there’s no reason why Atheists can’t eat good food and binge holiday movies like everyone else.

We’ve established that Atheists can celebrate Christmas, but some people wonder, “should Atheists celebrate Christmas?” Or more directly, “Should an Atheist celebrate Christmas if they don’t believe in the religious aspects?” Granted, there is a “Keep Christ in Christmas” contingent among Christians. Presumably, they are defending one of their religions two most sacred holidays against secularism, consumerism and other isms that they feel detract from what they would consider the “true meaning of Christmas.” That’s understandable. Luckily, we live in a country where individuals can make up their own minds about what to celebrate. So while some may ask “should you celebrate Christmas,” others would ask why not?

In fact, most Atheists would view this as a personal decision rather than a moral or philosophical one. There’s no rulebook for Atheism. Some choose to participate because they enjoy the atmosphere, traditions and nostalgia. Others prefer not to celebrate because they feel disconnected from the holiday’s religious symbolism. Both choices are entirely valid.

There are, of course, those who identify as Atheists but celebrate Christmas simply because they grew up with it. To them, the holiday is part of their cultural upbringing, not a profession of belief. They might still put up a tree, give gifts or host a Christmas dinner without attaching any spiritual meaning. At the same time, there are also Atheists that don’t celebrate Christmas. They intentionally opt out, choosing to treat December 25 like any other day.

This leads to another common question: what can Atheists celebrate instead of Christmas? Many participate in secular alternatives such as the Winter Solstice, family-focused gatherings or simply end-of-year celebrations that aren’t tied to religious themes. Some embrace tongue-in-cheek observances like Festivus, while others use the season for charitable work, travel or simply quiet rest.

For the many who do embrace December festivities, Atheist Christmas traditions often mirror cultural ones: decorating a tree, exchanging gifts, hosting meals, watching holiday movies, or enjoying winter activities. What sets secular traditions apart isn’t the activity but the meaning. Instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus, Atheists may focus on gratitude, human connection and the changing of the seasons.

Ultimately, the real answer to the question “can an Atheist celebrate Christmas?” is that atheists can celebrate whatever they choose. The holiday season isn’t reserved for any one group. Whether someone celebrates or modifies existing traditions, or chooses alternative festivities, the goal remains the same: spending meaningful time with the people they care about.

In a world with diverse beliefs and backgrounds, there’s room for everyone at the holiday table — including those who don’t believe in anything supernatural at all.

To read about other Atheist holidays, here’s our list of 15 holidays that Atheists enjoy, including official Atheism holidays.