People can mix in homes, places of worship and outdoor spaces, and travel restrictions will also be eased.
But existing rules on hospitality and venues will remain, and the "Christmas bubble" formed must be "exclusive".
The leaders urged people to "think carefully about what they do" to keep the risk of increased transmission low.
They added 2020 "cannot be a normal Christmas" but family and friends will be able to see each other in a "limited and cautious" way.
The measures will see travel restrictions across the four nations, and between tiers and levels, lifted to allow people to visit families in other parts of the UK.
Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on the 22 and 28 December, but otherwise travel to and from bubbles should be done between the 23 and 27.
People will not be able to get together with others from more than two other households, and once a bubble is formed, it must not be changed or be extended further.
The leaders of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland reached the agreement at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
In a joint statement, they said: "Even where it is within the rules, meeting with friends and family over Christmas will be a personal judgement for individuals to take, mindful of the risks to themselves and others, particularly those who are vulnerable.
"Before deciding to come together over the festive period we urge the consideration of alternative approaches such as the use of technology or meeting outside."
Published guidance for England gives further details of the rules:
- People can continue to meet people outside their Christmas bubble outdoors according to the rules in the tier where they live
- Children under the age of 18 whose parents do not live together may be part of both parents' Christmas bubbles
- Existing support bubbles count as one household towards the three household limit
- People are allowed to form a different Christmas bubble from the people they live with normally - they can choose to stay with different people for this period
- If a care home resident is able to leave their home, they can form a bubble with one other household - but should not form a three-household bubble. However, visits out of care homes should only be considered for residents of working age because of the risks
- Students are considered to be part of the household to which they have returned
'Be responsible'
In a video message from Downing Street, the prime minister described the agreement as "special, time-limited dispensation", saying: "This year means Christmas will be different."
Boris Johnson said people must make a "personal judgment" about the risk of who they form a bubble with or if they visit elderly relatives., adding: "Many of us are longing to spend time with family and friends... And yet we can't afford to throw caution to the wind."
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "People will be allowed to do what the law will allow them to do, but this is not an instruction to travel, it's not an instruction to meet with other people. People should still use a sense of responsibility."
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon added: "The virus is not going to be taking Christmas off, so although we want to give a little bit of flexibility for Christmas we are still urging people to be very cautious and to use this flexibility responsibly and only if you think it is necessary."
Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said she hoped people would have space to plan, adding: "We of course recognise how important Christmas time is for so many people... people will want to come together from the four parts of the UK to be together."
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said it was a "message of hope", but urged people to be responsible, safe and mindful of healthcare workers.
- SUPPORT BUBBLES: What are they and who can be in yours?
- FACE MASKS: When do I need to wear one?
- SCHOOLS: What will happen if children catch coronavirus?
- TESTING: How do I get a virus test?
What to do about Christmas divides opinion.
Increased mixing indoors will certainly mean there is greater transmission of the virus.
But, as chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty said on Monday, there is a balance to be struck between the harm the virus can cause and the societal and economic impacts of trying to control it.
He called for a "public-spirited approach".
By that he means adhering to the restrictions in the lead-up to Christmas, being responsible with the opportunity the relaxation gives people, and then immediately switching back to compliance.
If that happens, any impact could be minimised - and, of course, it will be up to individuals to decide just how much they mix within the rules.
These are very fine judgement calls by ministers.
They hope Christmas will provide respite and help steel the public for what is clearly going to be a long, hard winter.
They also feel they have little choice, believing large numbers of people would ignore pleas not to mix - and this way they can provide advice on how to enjoy Christmas as safely as possible.
But there is also the risk by sanctioning it there will be more mixing than there would have otherwise been.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps earlier said Christmas travellers should plan journeys carefully and prepare for restrictions on passenger numbers.
Meanwhile, the government has recorded another 608 UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test. There have also been a further 11,299 cases of people testing positive for coronavirus.
Gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen from 2 December under a strengthened three-tiered system.
Areas will not find out which tier they are in until Thursday - and the decision will be based on a number of factors including case numbers, the reproduction rate - or R number - and pressure on local NHS services.
- PANORAMA 'LIVERPOOL: FIGHTING COVID': "Living under tier three rules just isn't possible"
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