5 of the Best Christmas Lights in the World

No matter where I am in the world, nothing makes me feel more festive than seeing a brightly-illuminated house, a fairylight switch-on, or a national icon decked in tinsel. Seeing such a display can immediately make you feel at home, not to mention full of cheer. So if you’re looking to be imbued with the Christmas spirit on your travels, check out our recommendations for five of the best Christmas lights and displays in the world:

Rockefeller Centre, New York

If you like the look of the multi-coloured lights that drape from your neighbour’s guttering, and that illuminated reindeer on their roof, then the house of the Garabedian family will really impress. On a little residential corner of the Bronx, this home shines brightly throughout December, with a display of twinkling fairy lights, religious statues and renditions of glamorous celebrities, from Rita Hayworth to Elizabeth Taylor.

Top tip: while you’re in the NY area, there’s no better opportunity to grab a glimpse of the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree too. Grab a pair of ice skates and glide in front of this towering fir.

Disneyland Paris

From November to January, Disneyland Paris dazzles with holiday merriment. It boasts a Christmas parade, fireworks, festive sing-a-longs and more decorations than you can shake Rafiki’s stick at. Perfect for children and big kids alike, it’s hard not to feel thoroughly festive when surrounded by so much glitter and finery.

Beijing’s shopping centres are taken over by décor at Christmastime. The one that gets the most treatment is the Solana Lifestyle Mall, which sees canopies of tinsel and light, steps glittering with blue illuminations, and trees laden with baubles as big as your head! The annual occurrence has even become a bit of a festival, with shoppers flocking from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the display in person. Our favourite is the tunnel of lights that, last year, covered a whole parade of shops.

Ayala Triangle, Manila

For the last six years, the Ayala Triangle Gardens has hosted its very own Festival of Lights to celebrate the yuletide season. More than a million bulbs brighten the landscape from November to January and, to kick it off, the Festival serves up a special evening display of flashing and dancing illuminations, all perfectly choreographed to Christmas music. Supported by big-name brands like HSBC, MasterCard and Coca Cola, you just know each year it’s going to offer one hell of a show.

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

Sweets, decorations and of course, lighting, adorn Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens throughout the Christmas period. Its ‘Illuminations over the Lake’ is the big draw though; it boasts three different light shows which can be experienced multiple times throughout the wintry evenings. Visit between 25-27 December and 31 December-3 January to catch a glimpse of some fireworks too! And be sure to stop by the beating heart of Tivoli too: its Christmas market; here you can treat your loved ones, or yourself, to locally-made handicrafts.

Tokyo Christmas lights

Every winter, Japan's capital city Tokyo transforms into a beautiful, glittering winter wonderland, with colourful LED lights adorning the city's parks, trees and buildings. These 'Winter Illuminations' remain in the city until February, and are free to view. 

Melbourne Christmas lights

If you're heading down to Melbourne, Australia over the festive period, you won't want to miss a visit to the city's Federation Square, otherwise known as Christmas Square during this time. Here you'll find a giant Christmas tree and numerous colourful Christmas lights, as well as light and sound shows right up until Christmas Day. Throughout Melbourne, you'll see plenty of illuminated, festive lighting, as well as shows and incredible displays.