- Tree goes up
- 24 December (Szenteste / Holy Evening), decorated exclusively on Christmas Eve itself in the traditional custom
- Tree comes down
- 6 January (Vízkereszt / Epiphany), the general Central European norm
- Local superstition
- No prominent distinctive bad-luck belief documented beyond the general regional Epiphany-end custom.
Why that date
Hungarian tradition holds that the tree is decorated in secret and revealed to children on Christmas Eve evening as a “magic” surprise, similar to the German/Austrian Christkind custom; the tree is often hung with “szaloncukor” (fondant sweets wrapped in foil), a distinctly Hungarian ornament.
What actually happens
6 December (Mikulás / St Nicholas Day) is a separate, earlier gift-giving occasion for children, distinct from and preceding the Christmas Eve tree-reveal tradition.
Taking it down again
6 January (Vízkereszt / Epiphany), the general Central European norm. No prominent distinctive bad-luck belief documented beyond the general regional Epiphany-end custom.
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
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