- Tree goes up
- 24 December (Heiligabend / Christmas Eve), traditionally in the afternoon or evening
- Tree comes down
- 6 January (Epiphany, “Heilige Drei Könige”), though some households now keep trees until early-to-mid January
- Local superstition
- No strong bad-luck belief; the emphasis is on the surprise reveal rather than a removal taboo.
Why that date
In classic German custom the tree is decorated in secret by parents on Christmas Eve itself and its reveal — accompanied by the ringing of a bell — is the magical moment marking the arrival of the Christkind (Christ Child), who is said to bring the tree and gifts.
What actually happens
Advent is celebrated in Germany largely through the Advent wreath and calendar rather than the tree itself; a Statista survey found the practice of setting the tree up earlier is growing — 30% of German buyers in 2024 said they put it up “in early December”, versus just 18% in a comparable 2019 survey, while the share doing so “a few days before Christmas Eve” fell from 38% to 29% over the same period.
Taking it down again
6 January (Epiphany, “Heilige Drei Könige”), though some households now keep trees until early-to-mid January. No strong bad-luck belief; the emphasis is on the surprise reveal rather than a removal taboo.
If you would rather not have this argument again next year, the calendar reminder on the home page will put both dates straight into your phone.
Sources
When the answer is finally yes
The bit you actually need
A short, unsentimental list. We only link to categories worth browsing, not to a hundred near-identical products.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Browse on Amazon” are paid links — if you buy something after clicking one, this site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change the dates. See our affiliate disclosure.