19 striking displays of Christmas lights from countries the world over

The best of the best!

In 1882, three years after Thomas Edison invented the first practical light bulb, his inventor cum business associate Edward H Johnson created the first Christmas lights at his New York City home. They were an instant hit but remained uncommon till the 1930s due to their prohibitive cost.

Since then, fairy lights have become one of the most popular Christmas decorations. People the world over adorn houses, streets and workplaces with hundreds of lights over the festive season.

Here are 19 stunning displays of Christmas lights from countries around the world.

1. Beirut, Lebanon

Fireworks light up the Beirut sky as a Christmas tree is lit in the Lebanese capital Beirut on December 17, 2016, ahead of  Xmas celebrations.

PHOTO: AFP

2. Tbilisi, Georgia

Cars drive through central Tbilisi decorated with Christmas lights late on December 19, 2016.

PHOTO: AFP

3. Medellin, Colombia

Christmas lights on December 16, 2016 in Medellin.

PHOTO: AFP

4. Berlin, Germany 

An Illuminated Berlin sign is pictured near the city's Christmas market on December 20, 2016. A truck had ploughed into a crowd at the Breitscheidplatz  market a day earlier.

PHOTO: REUTERS

5. Lahore, Pakistan

A Pakistani Christian decorates Lahore's Sacred Heart Cathedral ahead of Christmas celebrations on December 21, 2016.

PHOTO: AFP

6. Ahmedabad, India

A man decorates a church ahead of Christmas celebrations in capital of the Indian state of Gujarat on December 18, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS

7. Madrid, Spain

Christmas lights are seen in Madrid on December 21, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS

8. Zagreb, Croatia

Participants release sky lanterns during the "Christmas light of wishes" event in Zagreb on December 17, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS

9. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

People walk around an illuminated Christmas tree at the central Ala-Too Square decorated to mark the upcoming New Year holiday in the Kyrgyz capital on December 19, 2016.

PHOTO: AFP

10. Moscow, Russia

People walk past Christmas decorations in front of the Bolshoi Theatre in central Moscow on December 19, 2016.

PHOTO: AFP

11. New York, United States

A large Santa Claus sits at the entrance of a decorated house in the Dyker Heights neighbourhood of Brooklyn, New York on December 23, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS

12. Rome, Italy 

Cars drive through central Rome decorated with Christmas lights late on December 19, 2016.

PHOTO: AFP

13. Mexico City, Mexico
Buildings around Zocalo Square are decorated with lights as part of Christmas celebrations in Mexico City on December 22, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS

14. Minsk, Belarus

A New Year tree erected at Oktyabrskaya Square for the upcoming New Year and Christmas season in Minsk on December 21, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS

15. Burgos square, Burgos

A picture taken on December 20, 2016 shows a nativity scene on the cathedral wall behind a Christmas market at Plaza Santa Maria of Burgos square illuminated with Christmas lights and decorations in Burgos.

PHOTO: AFP

16. Skopje, Macedonia 

People are seen near a Christmas decoration installed in the city square for the upcoming New Year and Christmas season in Skopje on December 23, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS

17. Kiev, Ukraine

An illuminated Christmas tree and festive decorations for the upcoming New Year and Christmas season in central Kiev on December 21, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS

18. Paris, France

Christmas decorations are seen near the Eiffel Tower in the French capital of Paris on December 18, 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS