“Breakin’ Up Christmas” describes a series of house to house gatherings between Christmas on December 25th and “Old Christmas” on January 6th. The origin of the tradition is thought to come from the time period that was created when changes in calendars created a new Christmas date on December 25th, which was previously January 6th in the old system. Reluctance to embrace this change created a unique situation where folks could justify 12 days of celebration leading up to "Old Christmas." A predominantly Appalachian tradition, "Breakin' Up Christmas" is now commonly associated with northwestern North Carolina and southwestern Virginia, probably due to the fiddle tune of the same name made popular by Surry County, North Carolina fiddler Tommy Jarrell (1901-1985).

Between Christmas on December 25th and “Old Christmas” on January 6th, people would have a dance at one house, then move on to another one the following night. They would clear the furniture, put logs on the fire and play music and drink. As one person described it, “Folks would go from house to house for the whole 12 days, supposedly until all the food was eaten and all the home brew consumed, or the housewife said ‘enuff and git the hell outta here.’” The “Breakin’ Up Christmas” celebrations waned in the days of World War II, but enjoyed a resurgence of popularity during the 1970s. Today, gatherings are usually held in dance halls and civic clubs more often than in homes.

While Tommy Jarrell is often credited with writing “Breakin’ Up Christmas”, in a 1982 interview, Jarrell indicated he learned it from his mentor, Preston 'Pet' McKinney, a fiddler and Civil War veteran from Lambsburg, VA. Where Pet got it from or whether he is the one who originated it - we don’t know.

This tune would be the last one played to end the celebrations on January 6th. Jarrell played it in open A tuning (AEae). While there are now lots of variations of lyrics, these are on Jarrell’s recordings:

Hoo-ray Jake and Hoo-ray John,

Breakin' up Christmas all night long.

Way back yonder a long time ago,

The old folks danced the do-si-do.

Breakin' Up Christmas

Tommy Jarrell 1983