A Ukrainian soldier celebrating Christmas '23 in the battlefield. (Image grab via @ukraine_world/X)
Holidays are supposed to be about celebration, reflection, and pretending your family doesn’t drive you crazy (KIDDING! Well, unless… you know). Yet, throughout history, some of the bloodiest battles have crashed the party, proving that war doesn’t give a damn about your turkey dinner or champagne toast. From the Revolutionary War to modern conflicts, these clashes remind us that nothing says “season’s greetings” quite like a well-timed ambush or artillery barrage.
In the true spirit of Christmas—because nothing says “peace on Earth” like a good old-fashioned firefight—SOFREP takes a look at some of history’s most memorable holiday battles. Consider it our gift to remind you that war doesn’t care if you’re decking the halls or roasting chestnuts.
The Revolutionary War: The Battle of Trenton (Christmas 1776)
Christmas night usually brings peace, goodwill, and maybe a little too much eggnog—but not in 1776. For General George Washington and his ragtag Continental Army, December 25 wasn’t about unwrapping presents; it was about unwrapping chaos. In freezing temperatures that would make Frosty the Snowman quit, Washington led his troops across the icy Delaware River to crash the Hessians’ holiday party in Trenton, New Jersey. Spoiler alert: the surprise attack worked, proving that even the holiest of nights can double as the perfect time for a little revolutionary mayhem.
Resized. A 1975 painting depicting the Battle of Trenton by Hugh Charles McBarron, Jr. (Wikimedia Commons)
Civil War Strife: The Battle of Stones River (New Year’s Eve 1862)
As Americans braced themselves for New Year’s resolutions they’d never keep, Union and Confederate forces decided to kick off the countdown to 1863 with one of the Civil War’s bloodiest brawls. The Battle of Stones River, fought in Tennessee from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, gave the Union a much-needed strategic win—and gave soldiers on both sides the ultimate excuse to skip the holiday cheer. After all, who needs fireworks when you’ve got cannon fire and a body count to ring in the New Year?
Gallipoli Campaign: The Anzac Day Landing (April 25, 1915)
April 25, now remembered as Anzac Day, is a tribute to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps—but in 1915, it was less “tribute” and more “tragic mess.” That was the day Allied forces decided to land on the Dardanelles Strait for the Gallipoli Campaign, aiming to weaken the Ottoman Empire. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well. With staggering casualties and a stalemate that dragged on like an awkward family dinner, the day became a permanent reminder that sometimes, bad decisions aren’t just for holidays—they make history, too.
World War II: The Battle of Moscow (Christmas 1941)
While the rest of the world was busy hanging stockings and singing carols in 1941, the Soviets decided to gift the Nazis a swift and brutal counteroffensive outside Moscow. Right in time for Russian Orthodox Christmas, this not-so-festive battle marked a turning point in World War II. Forget eggnog and mistletoe—Soviet soldiers unwrapped artillery fire and trench warfare, proving that in total war, “holiday spirit” takes a backseat to “survival at all costs.”
Vietnam War: The Tet Offensive (Vietnamese New Year 1968)
The Tet Offensive is a prime example of how even the most cherished cultural celebrations can be hijacked by the Grim Reaper. On January 30, 1968, while South Vietnam was prepping for the Vietnamese New Year with fireworks and feasts, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong decided to crash the party with surprise attacks across the country. The offensive not only caught US forces off guard but also gave Americans back home a harsh reminder that even during Tet, the only thing raining down harder than confetti could be mortar shells.
Holidays are supposed to be about celebration, reflection, and pretending your family doesn’t drive you crazy (KIDDING! Well, unless… you know). Yet, throughout history, some of the bloodiest battles have crashed the party, proving that war doesn’t give a damn about your turkey dinner or champagne toast. From the Revolutionary War to modern conflicts, these clashes remind us that nothing says “season’s greetings” quite like a well-timed ambush or artillery barrage.
In the true spirit of Christmas—because nothing says “peace on Earth” like a good old-fashioned firefight—SOFREP takes a look at some of history’s most memorable holiday battles. Consider it our gift to remind you that war doesn’t care if you’re decking the halls or roasting chestnuts.
The Revolutionary War: The Battle of Trenton (Christmas 1776)
Christmas night usually brings peace, goodwill, and maybe a little too much eggnog—but not in 1776. For General George Washington and his ragtag Continental Army, December 25 wasn’t about unwrapping presents; it was about unwrapping chaos. In freezing temperatures that would make Frosty the Snowman quit, Washington led his troops across the icy Delaware River to crash the Hessians’ holiday party in Trenton, New Jersey. Spoiler alert: the surprise attack worked, proving that even the holiest of nights can double as the perfect time for a little revolutionary mayhem.
Resized. A 1975 painting depicting the Battle of Trenton by Hugh Charles McBarron, Jr. (Wikimedia Commons)
Civil War Strife: The Battle of Stones River (New Year’s Eve 1862)
As Americans braced themselves for New Year’s resolutions they’d never keep, Union and Confederate forces decided to kick off the countdown to 1863 with one of the Civil War’s bloodiest brawls. The Battle of Stones River, fought in Tennessee from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, gave the Union a much-needed strategic win—and gave soldiers on both sides the ultimate excuse to skip the holiday cheer. After all, who needs fireworks when you’ve got cannon fire and a body count to ring in the New Year?
Gallipoli Campaign: The Anzac Day Landing (April 25, 1915)
April 25, now remembered as Anzac Day, is a tribute to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps—but in 1915, it was less “tribute” and more “tragic mess.” That was the day Allied forces decided to land on the Dardanelles Strait for the Gallipoli Campaign, aiming to weaken the Ottoman Empire. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well. With staggering casualties and a stalemate that dragged on like an awkward family dinner, the day became a permanent reminder that sometimes, bad decisions aren’t just for holidays—they make history, too.
World War II: The Battle of Moscow (Christmas 1941)
While the rest of the world was busy hanging stockings and singing carols in 1941, the Soviets decided to gift the Nazis a swift and brutal counteroffensive outside Moscow. Right in time for Russian Orthodox Christmas, this not-so-festive battle marked a turning point in World War II. Forget eggnog and mistletoe—Soviet soldiers unwrapped artillery fire and trench warfare, proving that in total war, “holiday spirit” takes a backseat to “survival at all costs.”
Vietnam War: The Tet Offensive (Vietnamese New Year 1968)
The Tet Offensive is a prime example of how even the most cherished cultural celebrations can be hijacked by the Grim Reaper. On January 30, 1968, while South Vietnam was prepping for the Vietnamese New Year with fireworks and feasts, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong decided to crash the party with surprise attacks across the country. The offensive not only caught US forces off guard but also gave Americans back home a harsh reminder that even during Tet, the only thing raining down harder than confetti could be mortar shells.
Recent Conflicts: Modern Battles on Holidays
The tradition of war flipping the bird to holidays is alive and well in contemporary conflicts. Forget peace on Earth; modern warfare has made it clear that no holiday is sacred when there’s an opportunity for chaos.
Iraq and Afghanistan (2000s): Christmas carols were swapped for the sound of IEDs as insurgents rang in the holiday season with surprise attacks on coalition forces. Nothing says “Happy New Year,” like ducking for cover.
Ukraine War (2022–present): Even Easter and Christmas haven’t escaped the madness, with ceasefires broken faster than you can say “Silent Night.” Apparently, the only thing holy in war is the constant barrage of artillery fire.
Why Holidays Don’t Stop Wars
Turns out, nothing ruins a holiday like being ambushed. The strategic brilliance of fighting on holidays lies in its sheer audacity—enemies, lured into a false sense of security by the scent of turkey or incense, often drop their guard. After all, who expects a blitzkrieg during brunch? Beyond the tactical edge, crashing cherished celebrations delivers a psychological sucker punch, demoralizing opponents and ensuring front-page headlines. It’s the gift that keeps on giving—for the attackers, at least.
For soldiers, holiday battles are a grim reminder that duty doesn’t take a vacation. Whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s, or a religious festival, war doesn’t care if you’d rather be unwrapping presents than grenades. The clash between holiday sanctity and battlefield brutality underscores the uncompromising nature of the conflict.
Ukrainian defenders wish you Merry Christmas from the frontlines.
The war is not over, they remind us. And not everyone will get to spend the holidays with their families.
Military conflicts fought on holidays drive home one bleak reality: war operates on its own schedule. From Washington’s icy Christmas crossing to the shattered ceasefires of modern wars, these moments highlight humanity’s persistent inability to hit pause, even for peace. While we cling to ideals of goodwill and harmony, war continues to remind us that it has no respect for calendars—or anything else, for that matter.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
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