Christmas Celebrations Around the World

Pack up the sleigh and wrap yourself in your coziest scarf. Here’s a photo tour of 10 Christmas celebrations around the world, from citywide parties to cheery holiday markets.

Seoul, South Korea

A tree twinkles with lights in South Korea, where Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays.

London, England

A Christmas tree sits in London’s Leadenhall Market, one of the oldest markets in the city.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Reindeer pull sleighs in Rovaniemi, Finland’s capital of Lapland.

Strasbourg, France

Streets and facades of houses are traditionally decorated with toys and teddy bears for Christmas in medieval city of Strasbourg.

Orlando, Florida

Each year, Disney World decks out its castle and Main Street in Christmas finery. Special parades, live stage shows, and more mark the Christmas season.

New York City

During New York’s SantaCon, you’ll see Kris Kringle everywhere you look.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Fireworks erupt during the inauguration of the Christmas tree of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ban Tha Rae, Thailand

Tha Rae in northeastern Thailand hosts a yearly multi-day Christmas Parade Festival, featuring performances and parades.

Paris, France

In the City of Light, les cadeaux are suspended above Galeries Lafayette.

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Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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