Like every year around these dates, big cities celebrate Christmas through Christmas lighting and decorations, with which they fill their squares or avenues, giving each corner a special spirit. Starting with the illumination, the Christmas season is ushered in various parts of the world.
Some of the decorative elements that are placed around these dates have become important icons and hallmarks of various countries.
The Iconic tree of Rockefeller Center, in New York, is already a symbol of the city at Christmas. This year the lighting took place on December 1, and was characterized by a ceremony full of performances under the big fir tree, with artists such as David Foster and Katharine McPhee. The tree has in its branches more than 50,000 energy-saving multicolor LED lights.
Detail of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. EFE/EPA/SARAH YENESEL
The tree, a classic
In the main squares, the tree has become the main element of Christmas. In Lithuaniain the city of Vilnius the national Christmas tree is lit during a lighting ceremony in the Plaza de la Catedral. More than 80% of the Lithuanian population is Christian, making these holidays a national celebration.
The Christmas tree in Vilnius, Lithuania. AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis
In recent years, the Spanish city of Vigo has become a major tourist attraction thanks to its extravagant light show. This year its lighting took place on November 19, thus anticipating other places in the country.
The inauguration of the Christmas lighting in Vigo, Spain. AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar
In the Grand Place of Brussels, Belgium, its grandeur stands out Fir tree 20 meters high, decorated with 600 champagne-colored Christmas decorations and two kilometers of LED lights. Also, in the same place you can enjoy a Christmas market.
Christmas market in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo/Olivier Matthys
Christmas markets, another essential
It doesn’t matter if it’s a big capital or a small city, Christmas markets can be found in any city, even for a short time on these dates. Some of these premises stand out for their careful lighting and decoration, with establishments where we can find everything from typical sweets to handcrafted products, such as soaps and creams.
One of the oldest and largest markets in Europe is that of Strasbourg, in France. Hundreds of wooden stalls are scattered throughout the historic center, lighting up the city with decorations.
Christmas market in Strasbourg, France. AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias
Christmas markets in Germany, affected by the crisis
Germany is one of the countries that stands out for its Christmas lighting. Like taken from a fairy tale for the architecture of its buildings and decorations, the Frankfurt Christmas Market It stands out as one of the places to visit in this period, where you can also enjoy a classic sexy boy.
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Germany. AP Photo/Michael Probst
Innovation through light festivals
Some cities have chosen to organize festivals of lights to celebrate Christmas in style. The ‘Lightopia’ Christmas Festival at Heaton Park, Manchesteropened its doors on November 24 and can be enjoyed until January 2, 2023. The exhibit features astonishing light installations and an immersive water show.
The ‘Lightopia’ Christmas festival in Manchester, UK. EFE/EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
The Town Hall Square in Tallinn, Estonia is transformed into a veritable fairytale land when the Christmas Market opens its doors, rated a few years ago as the best Christmas market in Europe. This year you can enjoy the light installation ‘Tempus Fugit’.
The light installation “Tempus Fugit” in Tallinn, Estonia. EFE/EPA/VALDA KALNINA
illuminated cribs
Even the nativity scene is a tradition in many territories. In the Vatican, The tree and the monumental crib have already been lit in the Plaza de San Pedro, accompanied by Christmas carols. It is made up of thousands of lights and is adorned with gold, green and red stars made by the patients of a psychiatric center and a nursing home.
Crib and Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican. ap AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia
