When should I take down my Christmas lights in Corpus Christi?

The most common timeframe is early January, either right after New Year's or around Epiphany (January 6). This timing respects tradition while protecting your lights from prolonged coastal weather exposure. The key is choosing a calm, dry day before mid-January to avoid wind, moisture damage, and unsafe removal conditions.

Can I leave Christmas lights up all year in Texas?

While there's no state law preventing it, leaving lights up year-round will significantly shorten their lifespan due to UV exposure, salt air, wind, and moisture. Most HOAs have seasonal decoration guidelines, and lights left up too long can shift from festive to neglected in appearance. If you want year-round outdoor lighting, consider permanent landscape lighting designed for continuous use.

Is it safe to remove Christmas lights by myself?

It can be safe if you follow proper precautions: use a stable ladder tall enough for the job, maintain three points of contact, avoid windy or wet conditions, and turn off power before disconnecting. However, falls from ladders are common during light removal. If your lights are on high rooflines, steep angles, or you're uncomfortable with heights, professional removal is much safer.

How do I store Christmas lights so they don't tangle?

Coil each strand individually and secure with a soft tie or wrap around a cardboard spool. Group lights by location (roofline, shrubs, walkway) and label storage bins clearly. Store in a dry location to prevent corrosion and moisture damage. Check each strand as you pack it away and discard any with frayed wires or broken sockets to avoid safety issues next season.

Do HOAs in Corpus Christi have rules about when to remove Christmas decorations?

Many HOAs do have guidelines about holiday decoration timing, though rules vary by neighborhood. Common restrictions include removal deadlines (often mid-January) and display period limits. Check your HOA covenant or contact your board before the holidays to avoid violation notices. Even without HOA rules, most neighborhoods expect decorations down by mid-January for curb appeal.

When to Take Down Christmas Lights (and Why Pros Remove Them)

January 5, 2026

At CC Lawn Pros, we help Corpus Christi homeowners keep the outside of their homes looking good through every season. That kind of work means we're often dealing with ladders, rooflines, windy days, wet surfaces, and outdoor gear, the same conditions you face when you start thinking about christmas light removal in Corpus Christi. This guide is written from that practical, local point of view. It's not meant to be salesy. It's meant to give you clear answers first, then helpful details so you can make the safest call for your home and your schedule.

Putting lights up is the fun part. Taking them down matters just as much. If you wait too long, lights can get damaged, clips can get stuck, and weather can make removal harder (and more dangerous).

The Tradition Behind Taking Down Christmas Lights

Many people choose a removal date based on tradition, not just convenience. That's why you'll hear different answers when someone asks when to take down Christmas lights.

Some families take decorations down right after Christmas. Others keep them up through New Year's. And many follow the "Twelve Days of Christmas" idea, where decorations stay up until the start of January.

In general, the most common tradition-based timeframes include:

Keeping lights up through New Year's for the "holiday season" feel
Taking them down around Twelfth Night
Taking them down on or after Epiphany (early January)

There isn't one "correct" day. Traditions vary by family, culture, and religion. The good news is you can respect tradition and still make a practical choice based on safety, weather, and your neighborhood.

House decorated with Christmas lights at dusk, lit walkway, suburban setting.

Houses decorated with colorful Christmas lights at night.

The Practical Reasons to Remove Lights After the Holidays

Even if you love the cozy glow, there are real reasons not to leave lights up too long. Corpus Christi's coastal weather can be rough on outdoor décor.

Protecting Your Lights and Home

Leaving lights up longer can shorten their life.

Wind can loosen clips and tug on wires
Moisture can work its way into sockets and connections
Sun and UV exposure can make plastic brittle over time
Salt air (especially closer to the water) can speed up corrosion on metal parts

There's also the home side of it. Clips can leave marks, shingles can get scraped, and staples (if used) can cause damage. Taking lights down sooner, and carefully, helps protect both your décor and your exterior.

Curb Appeal and Neighborhood Expectations

Even if there's no official rule, most people notice when the holiday décor stays up far past the season. It can shift from "festive" to "forgotten" fast.

In some neighborhoods, HOAs may have guidelines about:

How long lights can stay up
When decorations should come down
What can be displayed outside

If you have an HOA, it's smart to check the rules so you're not surprised by a notice. If you don't, a good rule is to aim for a clean look by mid-January unless you're purposely keeping lights for winter ambiance.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Considerations

If your lights are still running every night, the cost can add up. LEDs are usually lower cost than older bulbs, but electricity isn't free.

Even if your lights are on a timer, keeping them up longer can mean:

More run time than you planned
More chances for storm-related issues
More wear on extension cords and outdoor plugs

A simple money saver is to shorten the season and store lights safely for next year.

When Is the Best Time to Take Down Holiday Lights?

The best time is the moment when tradition, weather, and safety line up. For many people, that lands in early January. For others, it depends on their schedule and the forecast.

Right After New Year's

This is the most popular choice because it feels like a clean reset. The holidays are "done," routines return, and people want their home back to normal.

Why this works well:

You avoid leaving lights out through weeks of winter weather
You reduce the chance of tangles, stuck clips, and faded cords
You can store everything before life gets busy again

In Corpus Christi, early January often has decent weather windows, too, cooler days without the deep freeze issues that some states deal with.

On or After Epiphany (January 6)

If you want a tradition-based date, this is a strong option. Many people keep lights up through the Twelve Days of Christmas and take decorations down around this point.

Why this timing is practical:

It still keeps you in the "early January" sweet spot
You're not waiting so long that cords and clips have been weathered for weeks
You can plan a weekend removal date without rushing right after New Year's

If you like the tradition, this is a clean and common finish line.

Before Mid-January or Based on Weather

This is where real life kicks in. Sometimes the "best" time is simply the safest day you have.

Choose a day based on conditions:

Pick a dry day (wet roofs and ladders are a hazard)
Avoid strong winds (Corpus Christi wind can make ladder work risky)
Don't remove lights when you're rushed, tired, or working alone

If your lights are on the roofline, weather matters more than the calendar. A calm morning with dry surfaces can be much safer than a weekend afternoon with gusts.

If you've waited a while, watch for signs that it's time to act:

Sagging strands
Loose clips
Flickering sections
Moisture inside bulbs or sockets
Cords rubbing against shingles or gutters

Those are cues that it's better to take them down sooner rather than later.

Why Hire a Pro for Christmas Light Removal

You can absolutely take the lights down yourself. Many people do. But there are also good reasons people look for professional Christmas light removal, especially when lights are high, complex, or installed around tricky roof angles.

Safety and Liability Protection

This is the biggest reason. Falls from ladders are common, and holiday light removal has all the risk factors:

Climbing and reaching
Uneven ground
Windy conditions
Wet shingles and slippery gutters
Handling cords and electrical connections

Pros bring the right gear and safe habits, like stable ladder setups, proper angles, and careful removal methods that reduce damage. They also handle the work faster, which means less time spent up high.

If you're thinking about DIY, these safety reminders can help:

Use a ladder that's tall enough so you're not standing on the top steps
Keep three points of contact when you climb
Don't overreach, move the ladder instead
Turn off power at the source before disconnecting cords
Don't work in high wind or right after rain

If anything feels sketchy, it's okay to step back and get help.

Storage and Organization Services

Storage is what makes next year easier. When lights come down in a hurry, they usually go into a pile. Then next season starts with broken bulbs and tangled cords.

A pro removal often includes careful handling so your décor lasts longer. Even if you do it yourself, you can borrow the same approach.

Simple storage tips that work:

Coil each strand and secure it with a soft tie
Group lights by location (roofline, shrubs, trees, walkway)
Label bins so next year's setup is faster
Store lights in a dry spot to prevent corrosion and mildew smells
Check strands as you store them and toss anything unsafe

If you want fewer headaches next year, organized storage is a big win.

Time-Saving and Convenience

Post-holiday life gets busy fast. Work ramps up. Kids go back to school. Weather changes. The last thing most people want is a long weekend on a ladder.

Hiring help for holiday decoration takedown can save:

Time
Stress
Multiple trips up and down a ladder
The "I'll do it next weekend" cycle that turns into February

It's also helpful for larger homes, multi-story rooflines, and commercial properties where time and safety matter even more.

Final Thoughts: Let Your Lights Shine Next Year, Not All Year

The best answer to when to take down Christmas lights is usually early January, with a strong argument for right after New Year's or around Epiphany. After that, the longer lights stay up, the more you risk weather damage, tangled storage, and unsafe removal conditions.

If you're planning Christmas light removal in Corpus Christi, aim for a calm, dry day, take your time, and put safety first. And if your setup is high, complex, or just not worth the risk, having a pro handle it can protect your home, your lights, and your weekend. Learn more about our Christmas lighting services or contact us for help with installation and removal throughout the Coastal Bend.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Light Removal

When should I take down my Christmas lights in Corpus Christi?

The most common timeframe is early January, either right after New Year's or around Epiphany (January 6). This timing respects tradition while protecting your lights from prolonged coastal weather exposure. The key is choosing a calm, dry day before mid-January to avoid wind, moisture damage, and unsafe removal conditions.
Can I leave Christmas lights up all year in Texas?

While there's no state law preventing it, leaving lights up year-round will significantly shorten their lifespan due to UV exposure, salt air, wind, and moisture. Most HOAs have seasonal decoration guidelines, and lights left up too long can shift from festive to neglected in appearance. If you want year-round outdoor lighting, consider permanent landscape lighting designed for continuous use.
Is it safe to remove Christmas lights by myself?

It can be safe if you follow proper precautions: use a stable ladder tall enough for the job, maintain three points of contact, avoid windy or wet conditions, and turn off power before disconnecting. However, falls from ladders are common during light removal. If your lights are on high rooflines, steep angles, or you're uncomfortable with heights, professional removal is much safer.
How do I store Christmas lights so they don't tangle?

Coil each strand individually and secure with a soft tie or wrap around a cardboard spool. Group lights by location (roofline, shrubs, walkway) and label storage bins clearly. Store in a dry location to prevent corrosion and moisture damage. Check each strand as you pack it away and discard any with frayed wires or broken sockets to avoid safety issues next season.
Do HOAs in Corpus Christi have rules about when to remove Christmas decorations?

Many HOAs do have guidelines about holiday decoration timing, though rules vary by neighborhood. Common restrictions include removal deadlines (often mid-January) and display period limits. Check your HOA covenant or contact your board before the holidays to avoid violation notices. Even without HOA rules, most neighborhoods expect decorations down by mid-January for curb appeal.