These 12 Dazzling Christmas Light Displays Around the World Will Light Up Your Holiday

From the vibrant Christmas tree outside the Rockefeller Center in New York to the glistening shopping streets in London, the best Christmas light displays in the world add a magical sparkle to already spectacular destinations. Whether you want to do some last-minute Christmas shopping or enjoy a winter wonderland, these destinations are perfect for a Christmas escape.

However, with many exciting places to choose from, deciding where to go first is challenging. Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of the world’s best Christmas light displays to show you what’s on offer. The entries on our list are renowned for their bright lights, festive cheer, and epic light switch-ons.

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Rockefeller Center, New York, United States

Destinations for Christmas Experience in the World New York City, USA — © Taiga / Adobe Stock

The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas lights switch-on has become one of the world’s most iconic Christmas light displays, offering visitors an impressive display of color. Every year around mid-November, an 80-foot (24-meter) Christmas tree takes center stage at the Rockefeller Center, adorned with sparkling multicolored lights and a bright yellow star.

That’s not all the area offers, either. A large ice skating rink is also set up outside the Rockefeller Center, so festive travelers can seriously get in the Christmas spirit. As you would expect, Christmas music also regularly rings out around the plaza in front of the Rockefeller Center. This Christmas lights display is so popular that it’s televised to millions yearly.

Rodrigo De Freitas Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Best Places To Go for Christmas in the World_Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — © Ines Sacramento / Shutterstock

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree might be one of the most famous light displays, but it’s not the most impressive because Lagoa’s Árvore do Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, steals that crown. Located in Rodrigo De Freitas Lagoon, Lagoa’s Árvore do Rio is the world’s largest floating Christmas tree.

Every Christmas, this magical 173-foot (52.7-meter) tall tree lights up the lagoon with approximately two and a half million tiny light bulbs. As you can imagine, those little light bulbs unleash a magical display of color when turned on. What’s even more impressive about the Christmas tree is how its light display changes yearly, so you’re in for a treat every time you visit.

Oxford Street, London, United Kingdom

Christmas Cities Around the World London, England — © Moofushi / Adobe Stock

Oxford Street is one of London’s most famous shopping streets, making it an excellent place to go Christmas shopping. This bustling street is given a new lease of life at Christmas with one of the world’s best Christmas light displays. The entire length of the street comes to life with festive decorations.

Over 300,000 bright lights hang above the street. Shop windows are filled with festive displays. Buildings are adorned with colorful Christmas lights, and festive cheer fills the air. You can also expect live performances, Christmas activities, and joyous experiences on Oxford Street at Christmas. The Christmas light displays along Oxford Street are usually switched on in early to mid-November.

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark

Destinations for Christmas Experience in the World Copenhagen, Denmark — © Vlad Andrei Nica / Shutterstock

Admittedly, Tivoli Gardens, a 19th-century amusement park in the heart of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a thrilling place to visit year-round. However, this world-famous tourist attraction is a sight to behold at Christmas, when it transforms into a winter wonderland complete with bright lights, Christmas market stalls, and festive activities.

Vibrant Christmas trees, mesmerizing illuminations, festive Christmas stalls, and festive music fill the gardens between mid-November and early January. When you’re not admiring the light displays or riding the vintage theme park rides, enjoy a delicious mulled wine, eat your body weight in Christmas treats, and skate along the ice skating rink. Alternatively, attend a show at the Tivoli Concert Hall.

Medellin Lights Festival, Medellin, Colombia

The Medellin Lights Festival is one of the best Christmas light displays in the world for travelers seeking a more cultural experience and impressive displays of color. It is a traditional annual Christmas event in Medellin, known simply as El Alumbrado, ‘Lighting’ in English, or the Alumbrados EPM.

Every year, the city hangs millions of multi-colored Christmas lights, holds magical light shows, and hosts various cultural events. You’ll discover fascinating 3D structures, unique displays, and impressive light walkways at every turn. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might spot some of your favorite characters, such as Simba and Nala from Lion King. This event runs from the start of December to early January.

Ayala Triangle Gardens, Metro Manila, Philippines

The outstanding Christmas lights display in Ayala Triangle Gardens is a must-see if you’re in Metro Manila this Christmas. Ayala Triangle Gardens is a 5-acre (2-hectare) landscaped park in Makati. This open green space comes to life at Christmas with a spectacular display of dancing lights, holograms, and festive events.

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The star of the show is the hanging lights that wrap around the park’s trees, bringing intense vibrancy to the park. We can only describe the scene as something from the movie Avatar. Walking through the park, you’ll be blown away by the impressive sights and sounds, while small stands allow you to pick up something to eat and drink. This is easily one of the world’s best family Christmas light displays.

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Blackpool Illuminations, Blackpool, United Kingdom

Blackpool isn’t everyone’s first thought when they think about somewhere to spend Christmas, but it’s home to what many people consider the world’s best free light show. Located in northwest England, Blackpool displays six miles of bright lights along its promenade approximately 100 days a year. However, Christmas is the best time to visit.

At Christmas, the dark evenings are the perfect setting for the illuminations. Meanwhile, the seaside town offers many festive events and activities. When you’re not walking or driving along the promenade to observe the spectacular lights show, watch the Blackpool tower change color, ride the Ferris wheel, and have fun in the amusement arcades. What’s not to like?

Tokyo Winter Illuminations, Tokyo, Japan

Christmas Cities Around the World Tokyo, Japan — © Ayatomosyun / Adobe Stock

Japan is a tech-loving country, so it’s unsurprising to find its capital city, Tokyo, on our list of the best Christmas light displays in the world. Tokyo is one of the best places to visit and experience city-wide Christmas light displays. You’ll find magical light displays at almost every corner of the city.

However, some places stand out more than others, including Shinjuku, Omotesando, Tokyo Dome City, Marunouchi, and Roppongi Hills. You’ll find vibrant Christmas light displays and festive events in some places, such as Marunouchi. For example, Marunouchi Winter Illuminations offers more than one million bright lights at Christmas, an ice skating rink, Christmas market stalls, and vintage fairground rides.

Champs-Élysées, Paris, France

Paris, the capital of France, is a magical place to visit year-round, but the city is extraordinary at Christmas when its romantic streets unleash vibrant light displays. The Christmas light displays at the Champs-Élysées are among the best in the world. During the festive period, the 200+ trees that line the world-famous Champs-Élysées are covered in hundreds of colorful lights.

These lights add an extra sense of extravagance and beauty to an area of Paris that is already extraordinary. Better yet, you can do some last-minute Christmas shopping in the luxury shopping centers that line the Champs-Élysées. There used to be a Christmas market at the Champs-Élysées, but that has since moved to Tuileries Gardens. Luckily, the market is only an 18-minute walk from where it used to be.

Puerta del Sol, Madrid, Spain

Every year, from late November until the start of January, the bustling streets, historic buildings, and picturesque squares in Madrid sparkle with vibrant Christmas lights, festive markets, and beautiful nativity scenes. The impressive light displays vary from street to street and square to square, but the light display in Puerta del Sol is a particular highlight.

At Christmas, this public square, considered one of the busiest places in the city, comes to life with a towering multi-colored Christmas tree. The streets surrounding the square are also adorned with magnificent light displays. Other notable places to see Christmas light displays in Madrid include Paseo del Prado, Plaza de Cibeles, and the City Hall.

Gardens By the Bay, Singapore

Gardens by the Bay in Singapore might be the most magical place on Earth at Christmas. This iconic tourist destination is already a sight to behold, but it looks even more spectacular when it transforms into a winter wonderland. Expect an explosion of bright lights, unique structures covered in decoration, and exciting Christmas events.

A feast for the eyes, you’ll never tire of seeing the area’s best attractions in a new light, pardon the pun. For the most impressive sight, head to Supertree Grove, where you can watch fantastic light shows, ride a carousel, and take in the remarkable beauty of the many structures made of lights. Honestly, the Supertree Grove alone is enough to blow anyone’s mind.

Christmas Garden Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Germany sure knows how to throw a Christmas market, so you won’t be surprised to hear they also know how to host the world’s best Christmas light displays. Christmas Garden Berlin is a fine example of what the country offers. Nestled in the heart of the German capital, this enchanting Christmas trail weaves around the picturesque Botanic Garden.

Perfect for families and couples, the circular trail is lined with impressive light installations and Christmas decorations, while festive soundtracks sing out across the gardens. The garden is open to all, but there are also specific family days for families with children to enjoy. Better yet, there are many festive food options along the trail, so you won’t go hungry.