Ethiopian Christmas, known as Genna (or Ledet), will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
This date is consistent every year because the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church follows the ancient Julian calendar, which aligns with January 7th on the Gregorian calendar commonly used worldwide.
Quick Facts for Ethiopian Christmas 2026
- Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
- Name: Genna (or Ledet)
- Significance: Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Preceding Fast: The celebration follows the “Fast of the Prophets” (Tsome Nebiyat), a 43-day Advent fast that begins on November 25, 2025. During the fast, believers abstain from all meat and dairy products.
Key Traditions
- Church Services: The main celebration is highly religious. Many attend all-night services (gahad of Christmas) on Christmas Eve (January 6th), often lasting until 3:00 AM on Christmas morning.
- Attire: Worshippers typically dress in traditional white garments called the Netela (a thin white cotton cloth worn like a shawl or toga).
- Feasting: The 43-day fast is broken on Christmas Day with a large feast. Traditional dishes include Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew with hard-boiled eggs) and Injera (a sourdough flatbread), often accompanied by Tej (honey wine).
- Games: A traditional sport called Ye Ganna Chewata (a game similar to hockey, played with a curved stick and a ball) is sometimes played on Christmas Day, especially in rural areas.
- Lalibela Pilgrimage: The historic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela become a focal point, drawing thousands of pilgrims for one of the most significant religious ceremonies of the year.
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