Updated 30 May 2026 by Linda Garrould. A Christmas Countdown family favourite.
Stir-up Sunday 2026 is on Sunday 22 November 2026. It is the last Sunday before Advent and the traditional day for families to make their Christmas puddings together, with everyone taking a turn to stir and make a wish.
When is Stir-up Sunday?
Stir-up Sunday always falls on the last Sunday before Advent, so the date changes each year.
| Year | Stir-up Sunday |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 22 November |
| 2027 | Sunday 21 November |
| 2028 | Sunday 26 November |
What is Stir-up Sunday?
Stir-up Sunday is the day, by tradition, when Christmas puddings are made so they have a few weeks to mature before the big day. The name comes from the opening words of the prayer set for that Sunday in the Book of Common Prayer: ‘Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people’. Over time the words became linked with the practical job of stirring the pudding mixture.
The traditions: stirring east to west and making a wish
Custom says everyone in the household should take a turn to stir the pudding, stirring from east to west in honour of the journey of the three kings, and make a secret wish as they do. Some families still drop a silver coin into the mixture for whoever finds it to keep for luck. It is a lovely, low-key ritual that marks the start of the family Christmas season.
Getting the children involved
Stir-up Sunday is made for children. Weighing the dried fruit, mixing the spices and taking a turn with the wooden spoon are all jobs little ones love, and the wish makes it feel special. It is one of those simple traditions that costs nothing and is remembered for years.
Make your pudding
If you would like to make your own, follow our traditional Christmas pudding recipe. Prefer to plan ahead? Some cooks make theirs even earlier, over the August bank holiday, to give the flavours longer to develop. While you have the spices out, you could also make a batch of homemade mincemeat.
Stir-up Sunday FAQs
When is Stir-up Sunday 2026?
Stir-up Sunday 2026 is on Sunday 22 November 2026, the last Sunday before Advent.
Why is it called Stir-up Sunday?
It takes its name from the collect (prayer) for that Sunday in the Book of Common Prayer, which begins ‘Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord’. The phrase became associated with stirring the Christmas pudding.
Which way do you stir the pudding?
Tradition says you stir from east to west, in honour of the journey of the three kings, and make a wish as you stir.
Is it too late to make a pudding after Stir-up Sunday?
Not at all. A pudding made a week or two later will still be delicious; the longer maturing time simply deepens the flavour.
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