Christmas Recess

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A break in parliamentary sittings around Christmas and New Year.

Category: Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: Christmas recess, christmas recess, Christmas adjournment, Christmas parliamentary recess

Source / explainer: View House of Commons recess dates

Last reviewed: 23 August 2026

Christmas recess is a break in parliamentary sittings around Christmas and New Year. It is one of the regular recess periods in many sessions. The precise dates can vary and should be checked against the official Commons and Lords calendars.

Related terms

Non-sitting DayA day when a House of Parliament is not meeting to conduct ordinary business.RecessA break during a parliamentary session when the Houses do not meet to conduct business.Return of the HouseThe date on which a House resumes sitting after a recess or other break.Rising of the HouseThe point at which a House finishes its business and adjourns.
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