While the day varies for when cities take down Christmas lights, many cities choose some time in January. A city may use a key date, such as the twelfth day of Christmas, as a guideline to take down lights. The National Electric Code’s 90-day limit for holiday lights and local ordinances are also important considerations for when cities take down lights.

Key Dates
Many cities choose some time in January to take down Christmas lights, although the exact day varies by city to city. The time in January may line up with a key date, such as January 6th, which is the twelfth day of Christmas. The twelfth day, known as the Epiphany, is regarded as the official end of the festive season in traditional Christian culture. As a result, Christmas decorations are taken down on the twelfth night.

Some cities extend their displays through mid-January, especially if a local event is planned then, such as Denver’s National Western Stock Show. The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City also stays up through mid-January.

Regulatory Considerations
Regulations are an important consideration for cities when setting rules on decorating and taking down temporary Christmas lights displays. The National Electric Code (NEC) allows for temporary lighting displays to be up for no longer than 90 days. Some cities have ordinances that closely follow the NEC’s ruling.

Local Ordinances
Some cities have their own timelines for when to take down Christmas lights that are enforced through local ordinances. These ordinances may indicate a key date for when to take lights down, such as January 6th. An ordinance may also set a timeline for how long lights can be up during the season, based on either the NEC’s standard, or local considerations such as safety, reducing skyglow, etc.

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