Christmas Lights From Around the Globe

From Japan to Brazil, see how other communities are joining in on the Christmas festivities.

Christmas Lights From Around the Globe

The holidays connect families and local communities around the world. And while several religions celebrate different holidays this time of year, most countries have their own version of Christmas traditions leading up to Dec. 25.

To get in the spirit, take a look at these Christmas lights from Japan to Brazil that show how others are joining in on the festivities, connecting not only one another, but also the global community at large.

Japan

People gather along the Meguro River to watch Christmas decorations done with LED lights in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2014.

Hong Kong

Several 24-foot-tall figures of reindeer are lit up as part of a Christmas decoration in downtown Hong Kong in 2006.

Beijing

A child has fun with a balloon frisbee at a commercial street lit ahead of Christmas in Beijing on Dec. 24, 2007.

South Korea

This crowd of people drives one of the main streets of Seoul, South Korea, during the holiday season.

Philippines

Locals walk past a lit Christmas display at a park in Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines, on Dec. 22, 2016.

Christmas decorations adorn the streets and homes of many Filipinos in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.

Singapore

Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is filled with lights from Nov. 30 to Dec. 26.

India

Indians light candles and offer prayers at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Christmas Day in New Delhi on Dec. 25, 2017.

Although Hindus and Muslims comprise a majority of the population in India, Christmas is a national holiday celebrated with much fanfare.

Russia

People watch a light show at the Dvortsovaya (Palace) square decorated for incoming New Year and Christmas celebrations in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Dec. 24, 2015.

Germany

Lights illuminate the Christmas market in Weimar in central Germany on Dec. 20, 2011.

The Christmas in Weimar unites tradition and stories.

France

Christmas lights are displayed at the main square of Nice in southeastern France on Dec. 9, 2011.

Portugal

Women take a photograph of themselves next to a Christmas tree at Comercio square in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, on Dec. 13, 2013.

Italy

Christmas lights decorate the vault of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade in Milan on Dec. 17, 2013.

Connecting the two main squares of Milan, Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Scala, the Galleria, as it is commonly known, was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni and built between 1865 and 1877.

Senegal

In this Dec. 12, 2012, photo, a Senegalese man uses his smart phone to photograph a display of Christmas lights in the shape of a giant tree in central Dakar, Senegal.

As Christmas approaches in mostly Muslim Senegal, vendors ply the streets selling tinsel, artificial trees and inflatable Santas, and the main boulevards are all aglow in holiday lights. Senegal, a moderate country along Africa's western coast, has long been a place where Christians and Muslims coexist peacefully and share in each other's holidays.

Brazil

Fireworks explode over a floating Christmas tree in Lagoa lake at the annual holiday tree lighting event in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 30, 2013.

Mexico

Historic buildings in the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square, are illuminated with lights to celebrate Christmas and the New Year on Dec. 30, 2017.

United States

Kellie Pickler performs during the 86th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 28, 2018, in New York.