When to Take Christmas Decorations Down: 5 or 6 January?

Many UK households take Christmas decorations down on 5 or 6 January, depending on how they mark Twelfth Night and Epiphany. After Christmas 2026, those dates are Tuesday 5 January and Wednesday 6 January 2027. Choose a manageable time to pack away, and give outdoor decorations time to dry before closing the boxes.

If a real tree is drying out or an outdoor display needs to come in because of the weather, deal with it sooner. The calendar should not overrule the condition of the item.

Why do people give two different dates?

The confusion comes from the way the twelve days and nights of Christmas are counted and observed. Counting Christmas Day as day one makes 5 January the twelfth day. Epiphany is dated 6 January, and some households associate taking decorations down with that day instead.

The Church of England describes Christmas as a twelve-day season culminating in Epiphany on 6 January. Household customs vary, which is why advice stating that one date is universally correct can be misleading.

What about leaving decorations up until February?

English Heritage describes a medieval English tradition of keeping Christmas greenery until Candlemas, on 2 February. That provides useful context: taking everything down immediately after the twelve days has not been the only practice throughout history.

It does not mean fresh greenery or a real tree should be kept indefinitely regardless of condition. You can appreciate a historical custom while making sensible decisions about your own home.

Is it bad luck to leave them up?

Claims about bad luck are folklore rather than evidence that a decoration causes future events. If the tradition matters to your family, following it can be part of the season. If the date is inconvenient, choosing another day is a practical decision.

There is also no need to treat the entire house as one deadline. You might remove the tree first, pack outdoor figures on a dry day and keep a simple winter light in a suitable indoor location for longer.

Plan the job around the items you own

Real trees and fresh greenery

Watch their condition and arrange disposal or recycling through the appropriate local service. Check your council's current instructions, including what must be removed and when collections happen. Dates and acceptance rules differ by area.

Do not leave the decision until a collection has passed. A quick check before Christmas ends makes the January task easier.

Outdoor figures and inflatables

Choose conditions in which you can work safely, and follow the product's instructions for disconnecting, dismantling and drying. Avoid sealing damp fabric into a storage bag simply to finish the job in one afternoon.

Separate the date you take a display down from the date you finally pack it. Allowing enough drying time is part of putting it away properly.

Indoor scenes and Advent calendars

Remove treats, notes and loose accessories. Record which batteries and settings you used if that will help next year. Keep fragile projecting parts protected rather than stacking heavy decorations on top.

Our Christmas decoration storage guide gives a fuller packing method for each type.

A calm order for taking the room apart

1. Photograph arrangements you want to repeat. Include useful details such as which shelf held the calendar.
2. Clear a sorting surface. Keep fragile pieces away from the route used to carry boxes.
3. Switch off and disconnect electrical decorations as instructed. Deal with lights before pulling on anything around them.
4. Pack small, fragile ornaments separately. Group matching sets and label anything that belongs together.
5. Dismantle larger items using their manuals. Keep the correct fixings and power supplies identified.
6. Let outdoor items dry fully before storage. Use the storage conditions specified for the product.
7. Restore everyday items. Return the things you temporarily moved and check that furniture is back where it works best.

If the task is large, divide it by room or decoration type. A finished living room and an organised drying area are easier to manage than half-packed boxes throughout the house.

Keep a few lessons for next year

Write a short note while the display is still fresh in your mind: which item was too large, which cable route worked and which decorations stayed in the box. This is more useful than relying on memory when the shops fill with Christmas ranges again.

If you need to replace a damaged or unsuitable item, record the actual requirement. “Indoor wreath for a 60 cm clear wall area” gives you a better starting point than “new wreath”. The Christmas collection can be compared against those notes whenever you are ready.

Common questions

Can I take decorations down on New Year's Day?

Yes. That is a household choice. You can finish your Christmas display then, follow a January tradition or choose another convenient day. Make separate arrangements for items that need drying or recycling.

Is Twelfth Night always 6 January?

You will see both 5 and 6 January associated with Twelfth Night customs. The distinction comes from different ways of counting and observing the period. Epiphany itself is dated 6 January.

Can decorative lights stay up after Christmas?

They can remain part of a winter display if the product is suitable for that use and you continue following its instructions. Check the intended operating conditions rather than assuming every seasonal decoration is designed for permanent installation.

Sources: Church of England: the liturgical year; English Heritage: Christmas decorations and Candlemas.