For Roman Catholics, When Does Christmas End?

There seems to be at least three, or even four dates, when varying degrees of intensity of the Christmas season end. For Catholics, Christmas begins with the first Mass of Christmas, usually celebrated in the evening of Christmas Eve or at Midnight. There are then eight days in the Octave of Christmas. The Church treats each of these days as Christmas Day.

Whilst many traditionally bring down their Chritmas decorations on the twelfth night or on the Feast of the Epiphany (6th January), Christmas officially ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which usually occurs on the Sunday after the Epiphany. However, many churches and families across the world do not bring dowen their cribs and decorations until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple on 2nd February. This is 40 days after Christmas Day and brings to a close the Christmas season of light and the celebration of the Nativity. The crib and Chritmas tree in St Peter' Square, The Vatican, are taken down after this feast.