US Trends

what date do the decorations come down

Most people take Christmas decorations down on or just after Twelfth Night (5 or 6 January), but there is no single “correct” date and it depends on tradition, practicality, and personal preference.

Common traditional dates

  • Twelfth Night / Epiphany (5–6 January)
    • Widely treated as the end of the Christmas season in many Christian traditions.
    • Many households aim to have decorations down by the evening of 5 or 6 January to align with Epiphany or “Three Kings Day.”
  • Candlemas (2 February)
    • Older customs (and some Catholic households) keep decorations until Candlemas on 2 February, which historically marked the end of the extended Christmas period.

Popular modern habits

  • Right after Christmas (26–27 December)
    • Minimalists or those wanting a “fresh start” for the New Year often clear decorations on Boxing Day or within a couple of days after Christmas.
  • Around New Year’s Day
    • Some people prefer everything tidied away before or just after New Year’s Day to start the year with a clean space.
  • First week of January (around 5 January)
    • Surveys and decor guides note 5 January as one of the most common practical choices, as it lines up with Twelfth Night and falls in the first full week after New Year.

How to choose your date

  • If you follow religious tradition :
    • Take them down on Twelfth Night (5 or 6 January), or on Candlemas (2 February) if you prefer the older, extended season.
  • If you care more about practical life schedules :
    • Choose the first convenient day after New Year’s (often the nearest weekend) when you have time to pack things safely.
  • If you’re worried about safety (real trees, lots of lights):
    • Do not leave a live Christmas tree up once it’s drying out, as it becomes a fire hazard, even if that means taking it down earlier than tradition.

Bottom line: For most homes, 5–6 January is the most widely recognized time to take decorations down, with some choosing earlier for convenience and a smaller number keeping them up until 2 February following older customs.