There is no single correct date for putting up Christmas decorations, but there are clear traditions — and these are shifting fast. In the UK, most households now decorate three to four weeks earlier than they did twenty years ago. Here is when to do it, why, and the timing rules worth knowing.
The traditional date: the first Sunday of Advent
Across most of Catholic and Protestant Europe, decorations historically went up on the first Sunday of Advent — the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, falling between 27 November and 3 December. This marked the start of the religious build-up to Christmas, and lent the decorations a structured countdown.
The British 12-days-of-Christmas tradition
Older British etiquette held that decorations should go up on Christmas Eve and stay until Twelfth Night, 5 or 6 January — the twelve days of Christmas. Almost no one observes this any more, but the take-down date remains widely respected: leaving decorations past Twelfth Night was once said to bring bad luck for the year.
The modern reality: 1 December (or earlier)
UK surveys now put the average date for Christmas decorations going up between 25 November and 5 December. The 1 December date — coinciding with the start of advent calendars — has become the most common single choice. A growing minority (roughly 15%) put theirs up in early to mid-November.
Why people are decorating earlier
Three factors explain the shift: shorter natural daylight hours from late October make twinkly lights a welcome mood lifter, social media drives “Christmas content” weeks earlier each year, and the rise of artificial trees removes the practical limit of a fresh tree drying out.
When to take Christmas decorations down
Twelfth Night remains the dominant rule in the UK: either 5 January (if you count Christmas Day as day one) or 6 January (Epiphany). After that, both tradition and folklore suggest it is time for the tree and the lights to go.
Once you have set the date, see our 7 tips for decorating your home for Christmas.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas decoration timing
When should Christmas decorations go up in the UK?
Most households put them up between 25 November and 5 December, with 1 December the most common single date. Traditional households still wait for the first Sunday of Advent.
Is it bad luck to put Christmas decorations up too early?
No. The only widespread superstition is about taking them down — leaving them up past Twelfth Night (5 or 6 January) was traditionally said to bring bad luck.
When should I take down my Christmas decorations?
On Twelfth Night — 5 or 6 January depending on how you count. Many people now extend until the weekend after for convenience.
Article written and edited by The Christmas Dream editorial team, updated 28 May 2026.