You can take your Christmas tree down whenever it fits your life and traditions, but most people choose one of three common “end of Christmas” moments.

Classic traditional dates

In many Christian traditions, Christmas runs from December 25 through the 12 days of Christmas, ending on Twelfth Night. Twelfth Night is usually observed on the evening of January 5 or on January 6 (Epiphany), and that’s the traditional time to take down the tree and decorations. Folklore in these traditions says leaving decorations up too long after Twelfth Night can bring bad luck, which is why many households aim for that window.

New Year “fresh start” approach

Some people feel the year isn’t really new until the festive clutter is gone, so they pack everything away on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. New Year’s Eve (before midnight) is sometimes treated as a superstition cut‑off so you don’t “carry last year’s baggage” into the new year. Others simply use January 1 as a practical reset point and start January with a bare tree stand and a tidy living room.

Safety and practical reasons

If you have a real tree, safety can matter more than tradition. Once needles dry out and start dropping heavily, the tree becomes a mess and, if very dry, more of a fire risk, so that’s a strong sign it should come down even if it’s before your preferred date. Busy families also often time it around work schedules, school start dates, or the first free weekend in January, even if that drifts away from strict Twelfth Night timing.

“Whenever it makes you happy” view

There is no single rule everyone has to follow, and many modern guides emphasize that the “right” time is what works best for you. You can take the tree down right after Christmas if you like a quick reset, sometime around Twelfth Night if you enjoy tradition, or keep it up well into January if it still brings you joy. Some people even leave up a lightly decorated “winter tree” with neutral lights and ornaments, treating it more as cozy winter décor than strictly Christmas.

Quick recap

  • Traditional: Evening of January 5 or January 6 (Twelfth Night / Epiphany).
  • Fresh start: New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day for a symbolic clean slate.
  • Safety: Take real trees down once they’re dry and dropping heavily, regardless of date.
  • Personal preference: Any time that feels right for your household—there is no universally “correct” deadline.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.