The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City.
AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Landmarks are decked with festive decorations this Christmas season.
Among these, New York's Rockefeller tree and London's streets are iconic holiday attractions.
But holiday markets in Poland and Spain also make for festive getaways.
Come Christmastime, some of the most famous monuments, malls, and markets around the world get decked out in their festive best.
There's the Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York City, which is adorned with 50,000 LED lights and crowned by a 900-pound Swarovski star. Across the Atlantic, London's streets sparkle with colorful displays of lights, creating a festive glow along Oxford and Regent Streets.
Apart from adding a festive touch to cities, these decorations also serve as a major draw for tourism, with millions of visitors flocking to experience the festive cheer.
Here's a glimpse at how different cities are celebrating Christmas around the world.
Oxford Street in London
A view of London's Oxford Street.
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One of London's busiest shopping spots also doubles as the perfect photo stop during the festive season.
The street is draped in overhead lighting every year, with this year's totaling about 300,000 star-shaped LEDs, the BBC reported.
There are also plenty of restaurants and retailers around, which add their own spins on the festive decor.
The Galeries Lafayette in Paris
Decorating the halls of Galeries Lafayette Paris has been a tradition the department store has followed since 1976.
Grégoire CAMPIONE/AFP/Getty Images
Since 1976, department store Galeries Lafayette has celebrated the festive season by constructing a giant Christmas tree. This year is no different, except that the brand is also celebrating its 130th anniversary.
Its pink tree is covered in 20,000 programmable lights, paired with what the store calls "a fiber-optic fireworks effect."
The design was inspired by former Louis Vuitton designer Kevin Germanier's dress collection.
Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul
A large Christmas tree is installed during the Seoul Winter Festa event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.
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Seoul lights up for the holiday season with its Winter Festa, which runs from November through February 2025 at popular places across the city, such as Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Seoul Plaza.
The festival features dazzling art, illuminated sculptures, including a "Squid Game"-themed exhibit, and vibrant lantern displays.
There's also a brightly lit Christmas tree in the center of Gwanghwamun Square overlooking a festive market.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has been a staple of New York City's Christmas celebrations every year since 1931.
AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
The Center's annual tree-lighting ceremony is a big event that draws large crowds in person and on TV. Last year, NBC's broadcast of the ceremony attracted 7 million viewers, Variety reported.
This year's tree, from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is 74 feet tall and weighs about 11 tons.
Over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights were used to decorate it, and a glittering 900-pound Swarovski star was placed on top.
Calle Marques de Larios in Spain
A dancer is seen performing at Marques de Larios Street during the festive season.
Jesus Merida/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Calle Marques de Larios is among the most popular shopping streets in Málaga, Spain.
During the festive season, the city creates and decorates a special procession pathway between the streets for some added holiday sparkle.
This year's displays will feature 16 angel figures suspended in the air and an impressive 2.7 million LED lights, per SUR, a local newspaper in Málaga.
Luci d'Artista in Salerno, Italy
Christmas illuminations during the 17th edition of the Luci d'Artista festival in Salerno in December 2022.
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Luci d'Artista is an annual event that combines art and festive celebrations by lighting the streets of Salerno ahead of the holidays.
Various parts of the city are draped in festive lights and displays, such as the illuminated zoo, a lemon-tree-shaped light setup, and an LED replica of the night sky. The installations are on display from November 29 until January 2025.
In addition to the holiday lights, a nearly 65-foot Christmas tree is set up in the central square, Piazza Portanova.
Poznań Christmas Market in Poland
The Venetian carousel, Christmas tree, and Ferris wheel at the Poznań Christmas market in the center of Poznań.
Every year, the historic Old Market Square in Poznań undergoes a festive transformation ahead of the holiday season, becoming a one-stop shop for all your Christmas needs.
From festive treats like hot chocolate and mulled wine to dazzling light displays and child-friendly rides, this market has everything to make the holiday season feel magical.
Around this time, an ice festival also occurs at the Old Market Square. It features a small sculpture competition and a speed ice-carving contest.
Praça do Comércio in Lisbon
The Christmas lights in Lisbon were officially inaugurated on November 23 this year, continuing the tradition in Praça do Comércio.
Luis Boza/NurPhoto/Getty Images
A lesser-considered yet spectacular spot for the holidays is Lisbon — specifically, its decorations around its grand plaza or Praça do Comércio.
Every year, the city celebrates Christmastime by setting up a nearly 98-foot-tall tree that's decked up in LED lights and festive ribbons.
There's also an ice rink where kids and adults can skate while enjoying the lovely light displays.
McAdenville town in North Carolina
Popularly known as Christmas Town USA, McAdenville, a small town in North Carolina, gets beautifully decorated for the holiday season, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
Peter Zay/Anadolu/Anadolu/Getty Images
McAdenville, in North Carolina, transforms into a holiday wonderland every December, with over 500,000 lights illuminating its streets, homes, and trees.
Widely known as Christmas Town USA, the tradition of decorating the whole town began in 1956, per Travel & Leisure, and continues to attract thousands of visitors every year.
Guests can stroll or drive through the festive displays, enjoy a tree-lighting ceremony, and soak in the community spirit — all for free.
Grand-Place in Brussels
Grand Place's Christmas tree illumination ceremony marks the beginning of winter and Christmas in Brussels.
Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
Winter Wonders, the annual festive market in Brussels, is home to over 200 small business stalls, food vendors, and plenty of festive activities.
At the center of the market, overlooking all these activities, is the city's nearly 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, which, according to the Brussels Times, was chosen from a private garden in Rixensart, Wallonia.
This year's tree decorations include ornaments signed by famous Belgians, which will eventually be auctioned to support Make-A-Wish.
Castle Square in Warsaw, Poland
Christmas in Warsaw, Poland, on December 5, 2024.
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Poland's capital city comes alive with glittering lights this time of year, with festive displays stretching from the Royal Castle to the Old Town.
At the end of the route on Castle Square stands the city's Christmas tree bedecked in blue and gold.
While strolling along the route, visitors can enjoy the light installations and the Christmas market, where they can browse seasonal souvenirs and sip on warm drinks.
Parques del Rio in Medellin, Colombia
Giant Christmas installations displayed by the Medellin River in Colombia.
JAIME SALDARRIAGA/AFP/Getty Images
This Colombian city goes all-out during the festive season with a spectacular display of lights.
For 57 years, Medellin has celebrated Alumbrados, a festival of lights known for its vibrant exhibits and 3D glow-in-the-dark figurines.
Over 27 million LEDs have been used to assemble this year's festive displays, which visitors can watch for free.
Porta do Sol in Vigo, Spain
People attend the Christmas lights ceremony at Porta do Sol on 16 November 2024 in Vigo, Spain.
Adrian Irago/Europa Press News/Europa Press/Getty Images
A nearly 147-foot tall Christmas tree decked with vibrant lights at Porta do Sol in Vigo sets the tone for the city's holiday celebrations.
The streets sparkle with over 11.5 million LED lights spread across 450 streets and squares, per Galacia Travels, a Spanish travel agency.
In addition to the festive markets, visitors can enjoy taking photos at the Christmas castle and a giant illuminated bauble nearby.
St. Peter's Square in Vatican City
The Nativity scene and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican this year.
Christmas celebrations at the Vatican, which run from December 9 to January 7, draw many visitors.
At Saint Peter's Square, a Christmas tree and a life-size Nativity scene take center stage.
This tradition started in 1982 under Pope John Paul II, with Italy providing the inaugural tree. Each year since, a different European country or region has contributed the tree.
The US Capitol in Washington, DC
The US Capitol Christmas tree is lit on the west front during a December 3, 2024, ceremony.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
An 80-foot Sitka spruce from Alaska's Tongass National Forest lights up the West Lawn of the US Capitol this holiday season.
A tradition since 1970, the tree traveled over 4,200 miles, making 11 community stops before it was set up in Washington, DC.
It will be lit every night from dusk until 11 p.m. through January 1, 2025.
Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia
A giant Christmas tree is illuminated at Federation Square in Melbourne.
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From a sound and light show to food stalls, there's plenty of festive cheer to bask in in Melbourne.
Federation Square has been transformed into a magical Christmas hub, featuring a nearly 57-foot-tall Christmas tree, twinkling lights, performers, caroling choirs, and several other free festive activities.
The Square is open until Christmas Day.
Old Town Square in Prague
An illuminated Christmas tree at the traditional Christmas market in the Old Town Square in Prague.
Tomas Tkacik/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
The nearly 72-foot Christmas tree at Old Town Square in Prague adds a festive glow to the city's holiday atmosphere.
Sourced from Krompach, a village in the Českolipsko region, the spruce tree is decorated with red and gold baubles, oversized stars, and over 110,000 LED lights.
The Christmas Village in San Salvador, El Salvador
A giant Christmas tree in the Christmas Village at the Historic Center in San Salvador.
APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images
San Salvador's Christmas Village at the Historic Center features a large Christmas tree, a Santa house, a cookie factory, and a bustling Christmas market.
In addition to the village, iconic landmarks, including the National Palace and National Theater, will host festive-friendly activities and performances throughout the season.
The Christmas Village is free to visit and open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight until January 1.
Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece
The Christmas tree in Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece.
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images
According to the Greek City Times, a nearly 64-foot-tall tree sourced from the village of Taxiarchis in Halkidiki is now the centerpiece of Athens' festive celebrations.
This year's holiday theme, inspired by fairy tales, transforms the square into a magical setting filled with characters like little elves and the Nutcracker.
Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, Georgia
The main Christmas tree on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.
Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Despite ongoing protests in Georgia, city officials went ahead with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony — although later than usual and without a formal celebration — on December 16.
Protests in Georgia intensified in late October following the government's decision to delay its bid to join the European Union, per CNN.
Before the tree was set and decorated, it became part of the protests; protestors hung flags of Georgia, the EU, Ukraine, and the US instead of festive decor, Georgia Today reported.
Amid the growing political tensions, Tbilisi's streets and monuments, like the Ballet Theater, have still been illuminated for the season.
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