Christmas dinner is finished, the presents have been opened, and somewhere between the leftover turkey sandwiches and another Christmas film, thousands of people start scrolling through Rightmove.
Perhaps they're dreaming of a bigger kitchen, an extra bedroom, a different location, or simply a fresh start in the New Year.
Every December, estate agents talk about the famous Boxing Day Bubble. We're told it's one of the busiest times of the year for property searches and that homeowners should get their properties listed on Boxing Day to take advantage of the rush.
But is there really an advantage to launching your property on 26th December? Or is it simply a clever marketing opportunity for estate agents?
Let's look at the facts.
The Boxing Day Bubble: Is It Real?
Yes. And Rightmove has the figures to prove it. According to Rightmove, Boxing Day 2025 was its busiest Boxing Day on record for visits to the platform.
The figures make interesting reading:
93% increase in visits between Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2025. 67% increase in buyer enquiries during the five days after Christmas compared with the five days before. 143% increase in new property listings during the same five-day periods.
That's a significant increase in activity, and certainly something worth considering if you're planning to sell.
However, there's an important distinction. The busiest Boxing Day on record doesn't mean Boxing Day is the busiest day of the entire year.
Property searches traditionally increase throughout January and into the spring market. Boxing Day is often the beginning of that renewed activity rather than its peak.
And there's something else worth remembering. More people browsing Rightmove doesn't automatically mean more people arranging viewings or making offers.
The Advantages of Launching Your Property on Boxing Day
. Increased Buyer Attention
With many people enjoying time off work, there's more opportunity to browse properties. Some buyers have been searching for months, while others are only just beginning to think about moving. Launching at this time could put your home in front of buyers as they're starting to make plans for the New Year.
. Reaching Buyers Before January
Many people decide over Christmas that the coming year will be the year they move. Perhaps the family gathering has highlighted the need for more space, or they've decided it's time to downsize. A Boxing Day launch could introduce your property to these buyers before they're back into their normal routines.
. Building Momentum for January
A well-planned Boxing Day launch can create early interest, generate enquiries and potentially help arrange viewings for the beginning of January. If the photography, marketing and pricing are already prepared, launching over Christmas could provide a useful head start.
The Disadvantages of Launching on Boxing Day
Now, here's where I think sellers need to be a little more cautious.
. More Browsers Don't Necessarily Mean More Buyers
Let's be realistic. Not everyone scrolling through Rightmove on Boxing Day is actively looking to move. Some people are genuinely searching for their next home. Others are simply enjoying a little property daydreaming. Website visits are encouraging, but it's qualified enquiries, viewings and offers that really matter.
. You're Competing Against Other New Listings
The Boxing Day Bubble isn't exactly a secret among estate agents. Rightmove's figures show that new listings increased considerably in the days following Christmas. That means your property could be arriving alongside plenty of other homes, all competing for buyers' attention. The quality of your photography, presentation and asking price become particularly important.
. Christmas Isn't Always the Best Time for Photography
If you're rushing to prepare your property for a Boxing Day launch, there's a risk of compromising the very things that make a home attractive. Short winter days, poor natural light and Christmas decorations can all present challenges. Personally, I'd much rather organise beautiful professional photography in advance than rush the preparation simply to meet a particular date. Your home only gets one first impression.
. Enquiries Need Prompt Attention
There's little advantage in launching your property on Boxing Day if enquiries aren't followed up properly. Buyers expect answers to their questions, and serious interest needs to be handled promptly. Before launching, I'd want a clear plan for responding to enquiries, qualifying potential buyers and arranging viewings when the holiday period allows.
. The Initial Burst of Interest Might Not Last
A successful property marketing campaign shouldn't rely entirely on its first few days. What happens if your property doesn't attract the expected response? Will the marketing be reviewed? Will new opportunities to showcase your home be introduced? Will buyer feedback be acted upon? A good marketing strategy needs to work beyond the initial launch.
So, Would I Recommend Launching on Boxing Day?
Possibly. But only if everything is ready. And that certainly includes the photography. Do not get your photographs done once the Christmas decorations are up... because, come January, this really dates your listing. So, if you are thinking of launching on Boxing Day, get your photographs taken before you put the decorations up - which for many people means before December, i.e. around now! Just because you have the photographs ready does not mean you have to launch straight away.
If your home has been properly prepared, professionally photographed, carefully priced and supported by a planned marketing campaign, Boxing Day could be an excellent opportunity.
However, if your property needs more preparation, I'd much rather wait until January and launch it properly. There is no point rushing to meet a deadline if it means compromising how your home is presented.
And remember, buyers don't suddenly disappear after Boxing Day. The traditional New Year property market continues through January and into spring.
My Approach: The Right Launch, Not Just the Right Date
As an Independent Estate Agent with Keller Williams, I believe that successful property marketing is about considerably more than uploading photographs to Rightmove and hoping for the best.
Before launching a property, I look at its presentation, its position within the local market, its likely buyer profile and how we can make it stand out from competing homes. Professional photography, thoughtful preparation, an appropriate pricing strategy and proactive marketing all play a part. I also believe it's important to consider what happens after your property goes live. How are enquiries handled? How are potential buyers followed up? What happens if the initial response isn't what we expected?
That's why I work to a bespoke seven-step marketing strategy designed to keep your property in front of potential buyers, rather than relying on one busy day.
The Verdict: Fact or Fiction?
The Boxing Day Bubble is fact. The idea that every property should launch on Boxing Day is fiction. Yes, Rightmove experiences a significant increase in traffic after Christmas. Yes, it can be an excellent time to attract buyer interest. But there's no guarantee that launching on Boxing Day will achieve a quicker sale or a better selling price than launching in January.
The best day to launch your home is the day when your property, pricing and marketing are ready to make the strongest possible impression.
And that's far more important than any bubble.
Thinking of Selling in S74 or S35?
If you're considering putting your property on the market over Christmas or in the New Year, get in touch.
I'd be happy to arrange a no-obligation Property Review Consultation to discuss your home's presentation, current market position and the best strategy for bringing it to market.
Whether you're in Hoyland, Elsecar, Chapeltown, High Green or the surrounding Barnsley and Sheffield areas, let's put together a marketing strategy to get you moving.
Julie Ward | Independent Estate Agent | Keller Williams
Proper Marketing – Proper Negotiation – Properly Personal.
www.juliewardproperties.co.uk
Source: Rightmove Press Centre – Busiest Ever Boxing Day on Rightmove, reporting activity from December 2025.