The Feast of Saint Stephen, celebrated on December 26th, is observed as a public holiday in many European countries, not just one. It is a public holiday on that date in countries including (but not limited to) Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Key point

  • The question is often asked as if there is a single correct country, but in reality December 26 (St Stephen’s Day/Second Day of Christmas) is a statutory holiday across much of Europe.
  • In school-style quiz contexts, Ireland is frequently taken as the intended answer because St Stephen’s Day is especially prominent there and is often highlighted in English-language references.

Mini note on naming

  • In some of these countries the day is explicitly called “St Stephen’s Day” or “Feast of Saint Stephen”.
  • In others it is legally the “Second Day of Christmas” but historically tied to the same feast of Stephen.

TL;DR: It is a public holiday on December 26th in many European countries; in typical quiz formats, the expected single-country answer is usually Ireland.