When Can You Start Wearing Christmas Sweatshirts?
Many people start wearing Christmas sweatshirts and sweaters the day after Thanksgiving and keep wearing them through New Year’s Day. That is a habit, not a rule. A subtle winter design can be worn from November to February, while a loud, light-up or “ugly” sweater is best saved for December, especially for parties and National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, which falls on Friday, December 18, in 2026.
Can you wear Christmas sweaters in November?
Yes. Plenty of people pull them out in early November, and stores sell them from the fall. A good rule of thumb is to match the design to the month:
- Early to mid-November: wintry or cozy designs work well: snowflakes, pine trees, hot cocoa, a plain red or green sweatshirt, gingham, or simple lettering like “Merry”.
- After Thanksgiving: anything goes, including Santa, reindeer, candy canes and Christmas lights.
- December: peak season for bold, funny and themed sweaters, matching family sets and party outfits.
Can you wear a Christmas sweater on Thanksgiving?
You can, though it depends on the crowd. Some hosts like Thanksgiving to have its own day, and an all-out Santa sweater at the dinner table can feel early. A neutral winter design, or a fall or Thanksgiving top, is the safer choice for the meal itself. Many families save the Christmas sweaters for the next morning, when the decorating starts.
Can you wear a Christmas sweater in January?
For a week or so, yes. The twelve days of Christmas traditionally run to around January 5 or 6, so wearing one on New Year’s Day or the first days of January still fits the season. After that, designs that say “Merry Christmas” or show Santa start to feel out of date, while a general winter design, such as snowflakes, a snowman or a cozy knit, can carry on until the weather warms up.
When is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day?
National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is held on the third Friday in December. In 2026 that is Friday, December 18, according to HolidaysCalendar and Punchbowl. Many offices and schools hold sweater days or contests on or around that date.
Why do people wear Christmas sweaters?
Partly for warmth, and partly for fun. Holiday sweaters were simply festive knitwear for decades. HolidaysCalendar says ugly Christmas sweaters peaked in popularity in the 1980s, and Punchbowl notes that they fell out of fashion in the 1990s before coming back around 2001. HolidaysCalendar adds that Vancouver, Canada, claims the first ugly sweater party, in 2002. Today a Christmas sweater is a low-effort way to join in the season, start a conversation, and look like you belong in the family photo.
What is the difference between a Christmas sweater and a Christmas sweatshirt?
A sweater is knitted, usually from wool, acrylic or a blend, and the design is knitted in or sewn on. A sweatshirt is made from soft fleece-backed jersey, the same fabric as a crewneck or hoodie, and the design is printed, embroidered or appliquéd on top. Sweatshirts are easier to wash, less itchy and easy to layer, which is why embroidered Christmas sweatshirts have become a popular alternative. Our guide to embroidered vs printed sweatshirts explains how the two kinds of decoration hold up.
How do you wash a Christmas sweater?
Turn it inside out, wash cold on a gentle cycle, and skip high dryer heat. Remove any battery packs from light-up sweaters first, and follow the care label. For embroidered sweatshirts, our guide to washing embroidered clothes covers the dryer, bleach and ironing questions in detail.
Quick answers
- When can you start wearing Christmas sweaters? Many people start after Thanksgiving; subtle winter designs work from early November.
- Is November too early? No, especially for wintry rather than Santa-themed designs.
- How late can you wear one? Into the first week of January; winter-only designs can go longer.
- When is Ugly Christmas Sweater Day 2026? Friday, December 18.
From the shop
For a design that works all season, the embroidered cozy Christmas icons sweatshirt is quietly festive, and the embroidered Merry Christmas lights sweatshirt is ready for December parties.