Holiday lights are brightening up cities and towns across the globe, each display offering a unique and magical experience that reflects local traditions and culture. In recent weeks, Associated Press photographers have captured dazzling scenes that showcase the diversity and creativity of holiday celebrations worldwide.
In Jemez Springs, New Mexico, traditional luminarias, also known as farolitos, cast a warm glow through the Jemez Historic Site during the annual Lights of Gisewa event. These small paper lanterns, a cherished tradition, symbolize hope and light during the season.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, holiday revelers at the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski enjoyed breathtaking views of St. Basil’s Cathedral and the GUM department store, both bathed in festive lights. Across the globe in Johannesburg, South Africa, visitors to the zoo were greeted by actors in glowing, winged costumes, part of the city’s Christmas Festival of Lights.
Few streets are as enchanting during the holidays as the Champs-Élysées in Paris, where hundreds of trees sparkle with lights designed to resemble champagne glasses. These dazzling displays will continue to shine throughout the season, drawing visitors from all over the world.
In New York City, the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree stands tall, a majestic Norway spruce from Massachusetts, adorned with 50,000 multi-colored lights and crowned with a Swarovski star featuring 3 million crystals. This annual tradition remains a highlight of the holiday season.
In Schlitz, Germany, a medieval tower transformed into a 42-meter-high illuminated red candle lit up the historic city center, while in Milan, Italy, golden lights reflected off the canals of the Darsena dei Navigli, creating a symphony of shimmering brilliance.
Other cities also embraced the holiday spirit. Reindeer figures sparkled along Hong Kong’s waterfront, while in Tokyo, the Roppongi district was transformed into a magical forest with hundreds of thousands of blue LED lights.
At Space Center Houston, children leaped across illuminated circles in a space-themed holiday display near a replica of the shuttle Independence. In London, hundreds of thousands of LED lights illuminated angels spreading their wings over the bustling Regent Street, creating an awe-inspiring sight for shoppers.
Sometimes, nature joins in the festivities. In Santiago, Chile, a supermoon rose last month, perfectly framed by star-shaped holiday streetlights, offering a breathtaking reminder of the beauty of the natural world during this special season.
These festive displays, whether inspired by tradition or innovation, remind us of the universal joy and wonder the holiday season brings. From small towns to global capitals, the world shines bright with holiday cheer.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
