The 11 Most Beautiful Christmas Light Decorations Around the World
Nothing says “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” quite like Christmas light decorations. Which is likely why so many businesses, private residents, and city governments around the world gear up to deliver incredible luminescent displays for passersby and patrons alike. In Missouri, for example, a theme park puts more than 6.5 million lights to use in order to bring its annual Old Time Christmas village to life, while in Brooklyn you’ll find a whole neighborhood dedicated to creating the most astounding holiday demonstrations. In Colombia, one South American city forgoes the traditional Santa Claus and reindeer motifs for something a little more unique each year (hint: This time it’s all about Disney characters). Ready to get in the festive mood? Below, we’ve rounded up 11 of the most beautiful Christmas light decorations around the world.
Photo: Courtesy of Annabel’s1/11Annabel’s (London, UK)
In partnership with the Caring Family Foundation, Annabel’s, a private members club in London, has decked out its façade in festive form. The display, designed by Birley Club’s Creative Director Tatiana Kharchylava, is a nod to the idea that anything is possible. The central hot air balloon spans three stories and symbolizes hope and humanity’s ability to rise above its challenges.
Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images2/11Oxford Street (London, UK)
Oxford Street in London is flanked by some of the city’s best shopping spots—it’s an ideal place to find gifts for everyone on your list. Add in the annual Christmas lights that twinkle above the street, and it’s a one-two punch for getting into the holiday spirit.
Photo: Liao Pan/China News Service/Getty Images3/11Saks Fifth Avenue (New York, NY)
Each year, Saks Fifth Avenue displays a unique Christmas light show on the façade of its New York flagship store. This year’s installation is in partnership with Dior, with the display titled Carousel of Dreams. The giant bronze sphere contains various Dior-themed motifs as well as zodiac symbols. Better yet, it’s just across the street from arguably New York’s most iconic Christmas attraction: the Rockefeller Christmas tree.
Photo: Jesus Merida/SOPA Images/Getty Images4/11Calle Marques de Larios (Malaga, Spain)
Malaga’s most famous shopping street, Calle Marques de Larios, sparkles with holiday cheer every year. This time around, the city created a processional pathway that looks like something out of a royal castle. Many of the buildings along the iconic road were designed by Spanish architect José María de Sancha.
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Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images5/11Dyker Heights (Brooklyn, New York)
It appears that the residents of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, New York, spare little to no expense when it comes to decorating for the holidays. Full of stately, single family homes, the festive façades are a decades-long tradition in the neighborhood, offering a free holiday spectacle for New Yorkers across all five boroughs. In 1998, The New York Times described the annual displays as “Con Ed’s warmest heartthrob.”
Photo: Mike Williams Photography, Courtesy of Silver Dollar City6/11Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri)
Silver Dollar City, an amusement park in Branson, Missouri, uses over 6.5 million lights to illuminate its Old Time Christmas festival. In the main square, guests will find the centerpiece of the event, an 80-foot Christmas tree.
Photo: Gary Yeowell/Getty Images7/11Kohlmarkt Street (Vienna, Austria)
Winding through central Vienna, Kohlmarkt Street offers a more restrained take on Christmas lights. The twinkling skylights add a warm glow to the luxury shopping avenue without overstimulating the senses.
Photo: Anadolu/Getty Images8/11Parques del Rio (Medellin, Colombia)
Medellin has been lighting up for the holidays for 56 years in a festival known as Alumbrados. With festive displays and other event programing happening throughout the city, it makes an enticing case to visit the City of Eternal Spring in the winter too. This year, the city is celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary with 14 different characters on display along the river in Parques del Rio.
Photo: Connie Coleman/Getty Images9/11Bavarian Village (Leavenworth, Washington)
Throughout the ’60s, the small town of Leavenworth in Washington underwent a nearly community-wide renovation to transform into something that would resemble a Bavarian village. Spearheaded by two local businessmen, Ted Price and Bob Rodgers, they saw the initiative as a way to promote tourism in the Pacific Northwest town. During the holidays, the downtown area turns into Christmastown and includes various holiday-themed activities.
Photo: REDA&CO/Getty Images10/11Luci d’Artista (Salerno, Italy)
Salerno’s annual holiday festival, Luci d’Artista, has earned the city the unofficial title of capital of Christmas lights in southern Italy. Now in its 18th iteration, the celebration includes illuminated displays throughout the main street, the city gardens, and numerous public squares. On strolls this year, visitors will encounter arrangements inspired by jellyfish, butterflies, and polar bears.
Photo: Kazuhiro Nogi/Getty Images11/11Shibuya Blue Cave (Tokyo, Japan)
There’s no shortage of holiday light displays in Tokyo. Among the most popular is the Shibuya Blue Cave, which features over 770,000 LED lights strung along trees between Shibuya Koen Dori and Yoyogi Park. This year, there will also be a market selling treats and other festive goodies.
