19 striking displays of Christmas lights from countries the world over
The best of the best!
A busy boulevard is seen decorated with Christmas lights in Russia. PHOTO: AFP
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.
2. Tbilisi, Georgia
Cars drive through central Tbilisi decorated with Christmas lights late on December 19, 2016.
3. Medellin, Colombia
Christmas lights on December 16, 2016 in Medellin.
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.
5. Lahore, Pakistan
A Pakistani Christian decorates Lahore's Sacred Heart Cathedral ahead of Christmas celebrations on December 21, 2016.
6. Ahmedabad, India
A man decorates a church ahead of Christmas celebrations in capital of the Indian state of Gujarat on December 18, 2016.
7. Madrid, Spain
Christmas lights are seen in Madrid on December 21, 2016.
8. Zagreb, Croatia
Participants release sky lanterns during the "Christmas light of wishes" event in Zagreb on December 17, 2016.
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.
10. Moscow, Russia
People walk past Christmas decorations in front of the Bolshoi Theatre in central Moscow on December 19, 2016.
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.
12. Rome, Italy
Cars drive through central Rome decorated with Christmas lights late on December 19, 2016.
13. Mexico City, Mexico
Buildings around Zocalo Square are decorated with lights as part of Christmas celebrations in Mexico City on December 22, 2016.
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.
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.
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.
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.
18. Paris, France
Christmas decorations are seen near the Eiffel Tower in the French capital of Paris on December 18, 2016.
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.
2. Tbilisi, Georgia
Cars drive through central Tbilisi decorated with Christmas lights late on December 19, 2016.
3. Medellin, Colombia
Christmas lights on December 16, 2016 in Medellin.
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.
5. Lahore, Pakistan
A Pakistani Christian decorates Lahore's Sacred Heart Cathedral ahead of Christmas celebrations on December 21, 2016.
6. Ahmedabad, India
A man decorates a church ahead of Christmas celebrations in capital of the Indian state of Gujarat on December 18, 2016.
7. Madrid, Spain
Christmas lights are seen in Madrid on December 21, 2016.
8. Zagreb, Croatia
Participants release sky lanterns during the "Christmas light of wishes" event in Zagreb on December 17, 2016.
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.
10. Moscow, Russia
People walk past Christmas decorations in front of the Bolshoi Theatre in central Moscow on December 19, 2016.
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.
12. Rome, Italy
Cars drive through central Rome decorated with Christmas lights late on December 19, 2016.
13. Mexico City, Mexico
Buildings around Zocalo Square are decorated with lights as part of Christmas celebrations in Mexico City on December 22, 2016.
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.
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.
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.
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.
18. Paris, France
Christmas decorations are seen near the Eiffel Tower in the French capital of Paris on December 18, 2016.