Holy Innocents’ Day (December 28): Childermas History & Traditions

Holy Innocents’ Day — also called Childermas — is observed on December 28 in Western churches. It remembers the baby boys of Bethlehem who, according to the Gospel of Matthew, were killed on the orders of King Herod. In Spain and Latin America, the same day has become a time for light-hearted pranks, much like April Fools’ Day.

At a glance
Date	December 28 (Western churches); December 29 in the Eastern Orthodox tradition
Also called	Childermas, Feast of the Holy Innocents, Día de los Santos Inocentes
Source	Gospel of Matthew 2:16–18
Modern customs	Prayers for children; pranks (inocentadas) in Spain and Latin America

The Story

According to Matthew’s Gospel, when the wise men did not return to tell King Herod where the newborn “King of the Jews” could be found, Herod ordered the killing of all boys aged two and under in and around Bethlehem. Joseph, warned in a dream, had already fled with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. The church has honoured these children as the first martyrs since at least the 5th century.

Traditions Around the World

Place	Tradition
Spain	“Inocentadas” — pranks, and newspapers and TV publish fake joke stories
Mexico and much of Latin America	Pranks and borrowing tricks; the victim is called an “inocente”
Philippines	Some families avoid lending money or making big decisions on this day
Medieval England	Childermas was considered an unlucky day to start new work
Churches worldwide	Prayers for children who suffer from violence, war and poverty

In Spain, a classic prank is sticking a paper cut-out figure (a “monigote”) on someone’s back without them noticing.

A Day to Remember Vulnerable Children

Many churches and charities use Holy Innocents’ Day to pray and act for children affected by violence, conflict, abuse and poverty today. It is a reminder, in the middle of the Christmas season, that protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.

👉 Christmas season: Christmas Day

👉 Protecting children: UNICEF Day

Holy Innocents in Art and Music

The story has inspired artists for centuries. Famous paintings of the “Massacre of the Innocents” include works by Giotto, Pieter Bruegel the Elder and Peter Paul Rubens. The Coventry Carol, a 16th-century English carol, is a lullaby sung by the mothers of Bethlehem and is still performed at Christmas concerts today.

Día de los Santos Inocentes Pranks

Country	Typical prank
Spain	Sticking paper cut-outs (monigotes) on people’s backs; joke news stories in the media
Mexico	Borrowing something and not returning it — the victim is told “Inocente palomita que te dejaste engañar”
Argentina, Chile and others	Fake news stories and practical jokes between friends
Philippines	Some people avoid lending money because it may not be returned

A Day of Prayer for Children

In many churches, December 28 is also a day of prayer for children who suffer today — from war, hunger, abuse or abandonment. Some parishes bless children at Mass, and charities use the day to raise funds for child protection programmes.

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