unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
It's illegal to have your Christmas lights up for too long in one US city
Home>News>US News
Published 11:08 24 Dec 2023 GMT

It's illegal to have your Christmas lights up for too long in one US city

Those who have their Christmas lights up past the designated date face a fine of up to $250.

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: jhorrocks/Getty / Rob Lewine/Getty

Topics: Christmas, News, US News

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

It appears that many folks are putting up their Christmas trees and decorations earlier and earlier this year.

I don't want to be a Grinch here, but walking round your local neighborhood in mid-November and seeing the Xmas decorations out... I mean, really.

Well, one US city has already taken steps to prevent its residents from having their Christmas lights up for too long.

To be honest, the vast majority of us I feel take the festive lights down at the start of January.

Advert

Traditionally, it is believed that you should take them down on the 12th night after Christmas Day - meaning 6 January.

However, many religious groups do disagree on the exact date - but know for sure it is the start of January.

Most people take their Christmas lights down at the beginning of January.
Pexels

But if you are a bit of a Christmas fanatic you may even decide to have Christmas lights up at other parts of the year, and dare I say into February and March.

While this is not illegal in the majority of US cities, you'll certainly get a few odd looks from your neighbors.

But in San Diego you are actually breaking the law if you have Christmas lights put outside your past a certain date.

To be fair, the city does give people well into the new year to take their lights down, with a deadline of 2 February set by local authorities.

If Christmas lights are found to be up outside your home past that date, then residents can be subject to a fine of up to $250.

Craig Anderson on behalf of Top Rated Law said: "Keeping your Christmas lights on inside your home for however long you want is naturally no issue at all, but leaving them on outside your home for a long period of time might cause conflicts with neighbours, as well as landing you with a pretty hefty fine."

Those who keep the lights up past the date in San Diego face a fine.
Getty Stock Photo

San Diego is certainly not alone in being a city or state to have some rather strange Christmas laws.

In the state of Arkansas, it is illegal to purchase any type of alcoholic beverage on Christmas Day.

Of course, you can enjoy a drink or two in the privacy of your own home, but you'll have to make sure it's all purchased before the big day.

Meanwhile, in Michigan it is illegal to transport a freshly cut Christmas tree without proof of purchase, with the law in place to tackle illegal tree harvesting in the state.

  • US treasury considers minting special $1 Trump coin for America’s 250th anniversary despite claims it's illegal
  • Warning to these parts of US as it’s set to be hit by ‘most extreme cold on Earth’ ahead of Christmas
  • Trump furiously speaks out after his tariffs are ruled illegal and ‘unconstitutional’ by US court
  • Severed leg discovered on US beach identified as remains of long-missing banker

Choose your content:

16 mins ago
25 mins ago
2 hours ago
  • (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
    16 mins ago

    White House responds after teleprompter operator reportedly made over $100,000 betting on Trump's speeches

    Trump has previously publicly shouted out the employee, who has now been placed on leave

    News
  • Getty Stock Photo
    25 mins ago

    Health officials warn that people may dismiss 'routine stomach bug' for Cyclospora outbreak

    Cases of Cyclospora have been spreading across the US in recent months

    News
  • YouTube/highergroundproductions
    2 hours ago

    Obama takes rare swipe at JD Vance over comments related to Michelle Obama's background

    The former president says 'hypocrisy is progress' while discussing US multiracial democracy

    News
  • Facebook/Leyon Azubuike
    2 hours ago

    Personal trainer shows stark difference between 2,500 'good' calories and the opposite

    Arguing he's not 'demonizing food,' Leyon reveals common pitfalls people fall into when approaching healthy eating

    News