25 Breathtaking Christmas lights displays around the world

From Italy to Australia, these sparkling scenes are sure to brighten your day.

The Christmas tree is very much a religious Christian symbol, even though people of many faiths and faith levels decorate one in their homes and delight in seeing them around town and in public settings simply because it “feels Christmassy.” The lights themselves are a very important symbol of the coming of Christ — believers recognize this already. In the early days of the Church and Christmas trees (which has origins representing the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden), the lit candles on and around the tree symbolized the Eternal Light — Jesus — coming into to this world and into our hearts.

Which is why no matter where you go in the world, you’re bound to see festive lights, strung up to celebrate the season of Christ, and bring cheer to our souls — and not just on pine trees, but on buildings and streets. And spectacular ones at that.

Let these stunning displays from around the world and across the U.S. remind us that Christ, whether we realize it or not, is all around us …

Moscow, Russia

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Winter in Moscow, Russia ❄️ Photo by: @pankratova916 Use our #Vacations hashtag to be featured!
A post shared by Vacations (@vacations) on Dec 13, 2016 at 10:41am PST

St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, Australia

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Sydney is definitely giving me a new holiday experience. Summer instead of winter, working 50+ hours a week, and being away from family isn’t what I’m used to this time of year. . Still, it’s easy to find familiarity that helps me appreciate the old and the new experiences. I love me some spires, some Christmas lights, and good company no matter where I am. . Plus hitting the beaches mid-December is a change I’m OK with 😅 . #christmas #sydney #nsw #sydneychristmas #stmaryscathedral #lightsofchristmas #travel #hashtag #brightside #christmaslights #cityofsydney #photography #cathedral #lights #sopretty #wow #nightphotography
A post shared by Colin Bonini (@colinpatrickjude) on Dec 17, 2018 at 3:16pm PST

Porto, Portugal

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The sparkles of this season reflect on us and in everything. [Photo by @nuno_pika] #VisitPortugal #Portugal #travel #travelgram #christmas #christmastree #christmaslights #Porto #beautiful_destinations
A post shared by Visit Portugal (@visitportugal) on Dec 13, 2016 at 8:42am PST

Berlin, Germany

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Hach jaaaaa💖 Als Berliner geht einem hier das Herz ganz weit auf💖 unser Baum am Brandenburger Tor ist dieses Jahr ganz besonders schön geworden💖 …Es müsste mich jetzt bitte jemand ermahnen hier wegzugehen…könnte sonst sein dass ich morgen als Eiszapfen immer noch da stehe❄️😂❄️#brandenburggate #christmastree #wonderfulplaces #berlinlove #brandenburgertor #mycity #weihnachtsbaum #berlinatnight #christmaslights #christmasspirit #weihnachtsstimmung #citylights #decemberphotochallenge #photooftheday #pariserplatz #berlincity #berlinmitte #lailamariawitt
A post shared by Laila Maria Witt (@lailamariawitt) on Dec 13, 2016 at 8:48am PST

Tokyo, Japan

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🌲🌲🌲Here is tonight’s Rainbow Bridge and Christmas lights in Odaiba, Tokyo. 🎁🎁🎁. Japan is feeling the spirit! 🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻 #tokyochristmas #jetlag #odaiba #rainbowbridge #travelgram #flightcrew #tokyoodaiba #jetsetter #japan🇯🇵 #lovetokyo #christmasdecorations #roamtheplanet #exploretocreate #expatlife #japanchristmas
A post shared by AnnaJan (@annayogaspin) on Dec 9, 2018 at 7:52am PST

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrZD-JUAbRw/

Midrand, South Africa

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Feeling the Christmas spirit #fantasyoflights #christmas #christmaslights #feelingfestive
A post shared by Rian Kotze (@riankotze) on Dec 20, 2016 at 1:56pm PST

Piazza Castello, Turin, Italy

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🎄💫 #piazzacastello #turin #torino #italia #italy #turinbynight #instaturin #alberodinatale #christmastree #xmastree #christmas #xmas #natale #christmastime #christmaslights #lightshow #christmas2016 #cityscape #cityphotography #photography #photographylovers #nofilter #instalike #instagood #instapicture #instalove #like4like
A post shared by Giulia Presti (@giuliapresti_) on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:05pm PST

Milan, Italy

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The perks of walking alone at night #milano #milan #mailand #instamilano #igersmilano #mymilano #milanodavedere #milanodaclick #christmas #natale #christmastree #christmaslights #galleriavittorioemanuele #photographer #photooftheday #picoftheday #lights #natale2016 #christmasdecor
A post shared by LORENZO PEDRAZZI (@lorenzopedrazzi) on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:00pm PST

Basilica of Saint Antonio, Padua, Italy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN-ZbAKBEWH/

London, England

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN927diAh4L/

Downtown London, England

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. Location: Regent Street/London🇬🇧 Date: Dec 17, 2018 . . 仕事後のぶらぶら撮影楽しい🥰 また晴れたらやろう💫 . . . #london #regentstreet #regentstreetlights #londonlights #londonchristmas #londonchristmaslights #ロンドン #リージェントストリート #ロンドンクリスマス #london_city_photo #londoncameraproject #itssolondon #thisislondon #visitlondon #londoncityworld #london4all #thelondonlifeinc #toplondonphoto #unlimitedlondon #photo_travelers #photo_shorttrip #awsome_shots #world_besttravel #awsome_photographers #wonderful_places #travel_drops #hello_worldpics #tokyocameraclub #tabippo #クリスマスのセカイ2018
A post shared by yrk (@yrkpic) on Dec 19, 2018 at 10:31am PST

Paris, France

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOSCXFuAD86/

Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Maincy, France

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Ready to have a Christmas in a château? 🎄 Check out the story to follow our guide "Christmas in a château". // Prêt à fêter Noël dans un château ? 🎁 Découvrez notre story pour notre guide "Noël aux châteaux" 🏰 . 📷 © Julien Laurent . #visitparisregion #visitparis #paris #parisregion #parigi #巴黎 #パリ #파리 #باريس #Париж #פריז #igersparis #thisisparis #beautiful #amazing #instagood #instalike #photooftheday #bestoftheday #christmasinparis #XmasinParisRegion #chateaudevauxlevicomte
A post shared by VisitParisRegion (@visitparisregion) on Dec 14, 2018 at 8:41am PST

Budapest, Hungary

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Fashion Street👗👠🎁👜🌂 #fashionstreet #budapestnights #budapestmoments #budapeststreets #budapestatnight #nightview #nightlights #nightphotography #budapest_is_awesome #igbudapest #christmasiscoming #christmaslights #mik #estifenyek #karacsonyi #utcakép #nocnespacery #christmasvibes #świątecznemiasto #świątecznyklimat #wmieście #thisisbudapest #todaypic #cityatnight #xmasfeeling
A post shared by Johanna (@johanna.janositz) on Dec 20, 2016 at 1:54pm PST

Belfast, Ireland

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN-aqHmD_Wm/

Stockholm, Sweden

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Christmas in Stockholm
A post shared by Andrea (@andreagpalos) on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:02pm PST

Plaza Romania, Bucharest, Romania

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#christmastree #christmas #tree #Bucharest in #plazaromania #plazamall #christmaslights #lights #photooftheday #photo #picoftheday #pic #instaphoto #instapic #nighttime #nightphotography #citylights #citylife #holidays #hohoho #christmasspirit #winterholidays #winter
A post shared by Stefan Duduman (@stefan_duduman) on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:05pm PST

Victoria Harbor, British Columbia

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOQPp0mjj9l/

Cleveland, Ohio

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Lowlight shooting in downtown CLE. #ohio #ohiophotographer #ohioexplored #cleveland #clevelandgram #clevelander #clevelandohio #clevelandphotographer #cle #thisiscle #lowlight #lowlightphotography #canon #canonbringit #canonphotography #canon1dx #1dx #led #justgoshoot #exploreyourcity #clegram #christmaslights #christmastime #christmasiscoming #christmasseason #christmasdecorations #christmascolors #publicsquare #bokeh
A post shared by Jay Kossman (@digital504) on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:10pm PST

Salt Lake City, Utah

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The Temple view from the Top! #saltlakecity #downtownsaltlakecity #utah #christmaslights #templesquare #templesquarelights2016 #feelslikechristmas
A post shared by Arindam (@arindamsd) on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:09pm PST

Denver, Colorado

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Lit lit lit 💡🏛🎄
A post shared by Nick Brown | Denver, Colorado (@nickbrownco) on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:08pm PST

Rockefeller Center, New York, NY

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New York City is truly magical during Christmas time. The traditional #RockefellerCenter tree is a 95 year old spruce this year, lit with 50.000 lights and 5 miles of wire. 🎄
A post shared by GANT (@gant) on Dec 21, 2016 at 11:24am PST

Austin, Texas

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Another cool shot from Trail of Lights date night with my beautiful wife @mssierrabailey #austin #texas #trailoflights #trailoflightsaustin #christmas #christmaslights #datenight
A post shared by Adam Fujawa (@atomfuji) on Dec 21, 2016 at 1:15pm PST

Coconut Grove, Florida

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOQTu8xg9Gu/

La Salette, Attleboro, Massachusetts

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrdBU-Onw8i/