Christmas Eve passed quietly across much of China this year as the Chinese communist regime tightened restrictions on religious gatherings, public celebrations, and even seasonal decorations, according to interviews with pastors, Christians, and residents across the country.
House churches in several provinces said planned Christmas services were blocked by state security officials, universities warned students against public celebrations or social media posts related to Christmas, and police in Shanghai detained people participating in spontaneous street activities. Commercial Christmas displays were also noticeably reduced or confined to designated locations.
House Church Gatherings Blocked
On Dec. 24, Christians affiliated with China’s underground house churches in Shandong, Zhejiang, and Sichuan provinces said they were prevented from holding Christmas Eve services by local state security officers.Pastor Huang in Qingdao, Shandong Province, told The Epoch Times that the authorities informed congregants they were not permitted to gather for Christmas Eve service. He said he and his family instead met privately at home with a few friends.
“All collective gatherings here are banned,” Huang said. “Shopping malls are also not allowed to put up Christmas trees or decorations. There’s no Christmas atmosphere at all this year—not just in Qingdao, but elsewhere as well, according to [Christian] brethren from other places.”
In Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, a city known for its large Christian population, Pastor Wang told The Epoch Times the authorities only allowed Christmas activities at the regime’s officially registered churches.
“Several believers detained earlier in December have not been released,” he said. “So now, many [Christians] here are discouraged from attending group events.”
Universities Warn Students Against Celebrations
Several universities across China issued notices restricting student behavior during Christmas.Street Activity Curbed in Shanghai
In Shanghai, police detained a woman who dressed up as Santa Claus and handed out apples to passersby, according to footage circulating on social media. A video showed several people in Santa costumes waiting to be questioned at a police station, alongside confiscated Christmas hats and decorations.One Shanghai-based Christian told The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity that commercial Christmas decorations were restricted to designated areas in the city. Some displays were reportedly removed as early as Dec. 22.
Similar Restrictions Reported Nationwide
A Christian in Fujian Province told The Epoch Times that public Christmas events outside state-sanctioned churches have largely disappeared over the past two years. A student in Shenyang said schools discouraged students from wearing Christmas hats, while local officials visited families to advise against bringing children to church activities.In southwest China, residents described similar conditions. Mr. Yang, a Christian in Chengdu, told The Epoch Times that authorities notified churches ahead of Christmas Eve that gatherings were prohibited.
“There’s almost no Christmas atmosphere anymore,” he said. “Some large shopping malls still have decorations, but the big street displays from previous years are gone. [Christian] gatherings at home are also fully banned.”
Official Policy and Broader Context
The CCP’s regulations require religious activities to take place only within approved venues and prohibit religious festivals from extending into public spaces. In recent years, local governments have repeatedly emphasized that Christmas celebrations should “not expand outward, not be amplified, and not be promoted.”Underground churches across multiple provinces say they have received annual notices ahead of Christmas barring public or collective celebrations, with some cities requiring churches to submit attendee lists in advance or allowing officials to conduct on-site inspections.
