10 Holiday Light Shows Around the World (PHOTOS)

From illuminated boat parades to spectacular light extravaganzas, towns and cities around the world each have distinctive ways of celebrating the holiday season.

Though New York City and Paris lead the pack with iconic holiday decorations, the cities of Madrid, Melbourne, and six other destinations around the world are arguably just as festive and brilliant.

Text by Laura Kiniry. Photos courtesy of Frommers.com (unless otherwise noted), where you can plan trips and connect with other travelers.

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Paris, France

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What: City of Light indeed, especially during the holidays. From the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Elysees is brought to life each evening with hundreds of thousands of fairy lights sparkling from the avenue's trees. This famed stretch in Paris also hosts its own Marche de Noel, a Christmas market featuring artisans, food, and holiday-themed vendors. For one of the city's most festive holiday window displays, don't miss Galeries Lafayette, on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. Another classic landmark is the main plaza in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral, where a holiday tree is dressed in lights and baubles. When: Lights along the Champs-Elysees shine Nov. 19-Dec. 24, 2010. The Champs-Elysees Christmas market takes place Nov. 9-Dec. 24.

Photo The-doe/Frommers.com Community

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What: City of Light indeed, especially during the holidays. From the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Elysees is brought to life each evening with hundreds of thousands of fairy lights sparkling from the avenue's trees. This famed stretch in Paris also hosts its own Marche de Noel, a Christmas market featuring artisans, food, and holiday-themed vendors. For one of the city's most festive holiday window displays, don't miss Galeries Lafayette, on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. Another classic landmark is the main plaza in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral, where a holiday tree is dressed in lights and baubles.
When: Lights along the Champs-Elysees shine Nov. 19-Dec. 24, 2010. The Champs-Elysees Christmas market takes place Nov. 9-Dec. 24.

Photo The-doe/Frommers.com Community

comments(17)

Total comments: 17 | Post a Comment

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Celebration

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Fine. So fun!

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Comments

[Frommer's]

01:53 PM on 12/01/2010

You're all totally right about Kansas City. It should've been on the list. Next year.

[TweetTravelers]

01:08 AM on 12/01/2010

Paris is definitely one of the great places for lights during the holiday season!

Teri
Founder
TwitterTravellers.com

[blurredmolly]

07:59 AM on 11/30/2010

North Michigan Avenue in Chicago?

[ClaraKCMO]

12:54 AM on 11/30/2010

I can't believe our little Plaza Lights didn't make the cut. I promise I am not advertising; but here is a FAB photo. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving Night tradition.

http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=54767

[TheBear]

02:41 AM on 11/30/2010

pretty cool

[raifferb]

07:32 AM on 11/30/2010

Here's my Chamber of Commerce bit for KCMO. The display started in 1938 and now has over 30 MILES of lights covering fourteen blocks and hundreds of buildlings. The display has been featured in the New York Times, the Guardian, Der Spiegel, etc., as an example of the finest in holiday traitions. I no longer live in KC but return often just to see what Christmas really looks like.

[chrish]

12:39 AM on 11/30/2010

What about Kansas City's Country Club Plaza lights? Gorgeous!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kansasexplorer3128/136967516/

[stopgeorge]

11:51 PM on 11/29/2010

If you want see a winter wonderland with 300,000 + Christmas lights -- go visit Ottawa, Ontario during the Christmas season.

[MarkBoston]

11:46 PM on 11/29/2010

I still think the best display anywhere is the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City ! Have any of you ever seen it? It's pretty spectacular on an enormous scale.. Check it out on YouTube

[ClaraKCMO]

12:55 AM on 11/30/2010

I just posted a link with a photo. And we thank you. I am quite proud of it. It really is something to see!

[Majestry]

11:26 PM on 11/29/2010

I truly love Christmas time in the city. Even if I don't have anyone with whom I can share it, I enjoy it all the same. Sometimes the best things in life are bittersweet.

[jozie]

11:00 PM on 11/29/2010

I love the light display at Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida. It is wonderfully choreographed to music, such as The TransSiberian Orchestra.

[joshhump]

09:07 PM on 11/29/2010

How did they miss the lights at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, MO?

[ClaraKCMO]

12:56 AM on 11/30/2010

I am a proud Kansas Citian tonight! I just posted a link to a good shot; but being there is the real treat! Thanks for the shout out!

[UncleJimbo]

09:04 PM on 11/29/2010

That Brazillian Town looks like it's where all the Odessa File members moved after WW II......

[susankhbelen]

08:45 PM on 11/29/2010

hmmmm...SIngapore goes on into Jan. you know....

[NoOtherWay]

07:19 PM on 11/29/2010

I recommend the Luminarie in Kobe, Japan.