Where to see the most amazing Christmas and holiday lights displays

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Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Running through the months of December and January, this year is the eleventh edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival, with the theme ‘Imagine Beyond.’

Denver, USA

If you happen to be in the city of Colorado during the holiday season, you are sure to be spoiled for choices, as there are several places to visit and witness magnificent lighting. These include Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanical Gardens, Light the Lights at City and County of Denver Building in Civic Central Park and Luminova Holidays at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park. However, you cannot miss the Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland Light Walk, owing to its dazzling trees.

London, UK

With the streets of London all decked up during the holiday season, it wouldn’t be wrong to call it synonymous with the Holiday lights festival. Some of the sparkling places to visit include Southbank Centre, Syon Park, Crystal Palace Park, Oxford Street and London Wetland Centre.

Niagara Falls, Canada

The Winter Festival of Lights at Niagara Falls, running from 12 November 2022 through 20 February 2023 this season, is certainly a no-miss, not only because it is Canada’s largest free outdoor festival but it is also a perfect getaway for everyone, especially families.

Georgia, Europe and Asia

Georgia is another gem when it comes to Holiday lights display as the options are aplenty. From wildlife lights at Zoo Atlanta and Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights at Lanier Islands to Holly Jolly Jekyll at Jekyll Island and Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City Gardens, the transcontinental country literally lights up each of its corners during this time of the year.

Malaga, Spain

Málaga is famous for its glittering holiday lights display across the city. Calle Larios is one of the famous areas in the city that presents its decorations with much fanfare.

Copenhagen, Denmark

If you are looking for a truly magical experience under thousands of Christmas and holiday lights, Tivoli Gardens can be a perfect place to spend the day with your loved ones. Open to the public from November to January every year, this famous Copenhagen site is decorated with numerous Christmas trees and thousands of baubles.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne Christmas Festival starts around November and is on till December. One of the highlights of every edition of this festival are projections made on various city buildings.

Singapore, SEA

The Christmas lights display at Orchard Road is centred around various themes each year. Different illuminations light up the Singapore streets during the festive season. This year’s lights showcase includes a special countdown segment on the eve of Christmas and New Year’s Day, where visitors can download a smartphone app that enables them to view augmented reality effects. If you’re planning to explore the whole shopping belt, do stop by Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, where a festive market titled A Great Christmas Village is held. It showcases various attractions such as carnival rides, games and treats, along with art workshops, live music performances and a beer garden.

Medellín, Colombia

The Christmas lights display in Medellín is famously known as Alumbrados Navideños or El Alumbrado. Major Christmas decorations and lights can be seen at Parques del Río (Medellín River Park) and the display includes millions of LEDs.

Salerno, Italy

If you are in Italy or heading there this festive season, make time to stop in Salerno for their exhibition of Holiday lights known as Luci d’Artista. Colourful lights illuminate different parts of the city and include giant sculptures.

Vancouver, Canada

Wish to be enchanted this festive season? Then visit the Festival of Lights at the VanDusen Botanical Garden that will transport you to a world no less than a fairyland. Millions of lights adorn the approximately 6-hectare land that includes a lake and the Rose Garden. If it’s a clear night, you might be able to see the northern lights as well. You can visit the winter garden throughout the festive season and enjoy thematic activities, melodious Holiday music and delicious food, among other interesting things.

New York City, USA

The grandeur of Christmas at Rockefeller Center was perfectly captured in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York when Kevin prays in front of the Christmas tree for a chance to see his mother. Visit this New York City landmark for a memorable day of basking in the Holiday lights and some ice-skating.

Makati City, Philippines

The annual Festival of Lights by Ayala Triangle Gardens deserves a visit specially for its holiday lights display. You can enjoy the beautiful installations and light arrangements if you’re planning to visit the place during the winter holiday season.

By Pyusha Chatterjee

Travel

Where to see the most amazing Christmas and holiday lights displays

Christmas is just days away, and we’re already feeling the festive spirit at every turn. Our favourite shopping malls are all decked out in jaunty decorations paired with a playlist of Christmas carols, and stores everywhere are peddling last-minute gifts or party staples the likes of ham, turkey and log cakes. If you live in a country with the four seasons, the whiff of chilly mornings in the air — telling everyone that winter is here — would probably be an additional reminder of Christmas’ arrival. This puts us all in a holiday mood, of sniffing and sipping hot chocolate and curling up in cosy blankets. However, if you can muster some strength to get yourself out of this cocoon of comfort, head towards these places offering some of the best Christmas and holiday lights displays in your city or the ones you’re travelling to this season.

While everyone has the festive cheer on from November till spring breezes in, various cities take the Christmas and New Year spirit a notch higher by engaging in elaborate displays of lights that deck up streets in a brilliant spectacle of colourful hues.

While cities decorate every nook and cranny as well as popular locations with various lights, those with rivers and creeks flowing through them go a step ahead and light up the waters that shimmer in the light of the decorations, tempting visitors with cruise options like that in Amsterdam. Its canals look gorgeous after being brightly lit by some of the fanciest Christmas and holiday lights.

Likewise, the nine London bridges, too, look spectacular after the river is illuminated during the Christmas and holiday lights display. Additionally, London has some of the best displays to offer, including the Ever After Garden, which comes alive with glowing roses in remembrance of departed souls, and the Enchanted Eltham Palace, which looks even more enchanting during the holiday lights festival.

And, not to forget the various destinations in the United States that blend creativity, technology and expertise to offer the finest light displays that one can witness, especially the Winter Festival of Lights at Niagara Falls.

So, get ready to visit some of the places that are winter wonderlands during the cosiest time of the year. Moreover, wouldn’t it feel amazing to walk with your loved ones on lit-up streets under sparkling lights on a quiet night, specially during the Christmas holidays?

(Main and Featured images: Winter Festival Amsterdam)

This story first appeared on PrestigeOnline Singapore

Note:

The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

Written by

Pyusha Chatterjee

A journalist, Pyusha has previously worked with media organisations including The New Indian Express and Hindustan Times. A solo traveller by choice, she loves exploring life more than anything else, after food of course. When she isn't gardening, writing, reading, cooking or singing out loud, you can spot her watching films and series, debating with friends or organising things unnecessarily.

Where to see the most amazing Christmas and holiday lights displays

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Written by

Pyusha Chatterjee

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