It goes without saying: the Christmas tree is a fundamental element in year-end festive decorations. There’s no more magical sight than that of a well-lit tree sparkling in the cold (or if you’re in Southeast Asia, humid) night. Here are some of the best around the world this year.
#1 Annabel’s, London, UK
The London private club turned its entrance into the base of its giant Christmas tree.
#2 Claridge’s, London, UK
The 6m-tall ‘Tree of Love’ was created for the 5-star hotel by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. See if you can spot the various silver-leafed animals placed around it.
#3 Galeries Lafayette, Paris, France
Every half an hour, the lights in the Galeries Lafayette dome are turned off for a show-stopping display of twinkling LED lights.
Read also: Beautiful Christmas markets in Europe you must visit in 2018
#4 Rockefeller Centre, New York City, USA
The 72-foot Norway spruce is topped by a 9-foot star adorned with 3 million Swarovski crystals laid out on 70 triangular spikes!
#5 Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan
The Universal Illusion Tree has held the Guinness World Record for ‘Most lights on a Christmas tree’ since 2011. This year’s tree has 580,806 lights and changes colour for a different look every now and then.
#6 The Connaught, London, UK
Irish artist Sir Michael Craig-Martin designed the hotel’s 9m-tall Christmas tree this year. The lights continually change colour and pattern.
#7 Ocean Terminal Deck, Hong Kong
This 30ft Tiffany & Co. tree is set against 270-degree panoramic views of Victoria Harbour from the newly opened Ocean Terminal Deck.
#8 President’s Park, Washington, D.C., USA
America’s National Christmas tree lights up every day from 4.30pm and there are various music performances you can watch in December at the park.
The 96th annual National Christmas Tree is officially lit and ready to sparkle during the holidays! pic.twitter.com/c8SV83poBn
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) November 28, 2018
#9 Place Kléber, Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg considers itself the capital of Christmas, so of course it has the requisite festive markets and a stunning Christmas tree at the heart of the city. This year’s 30m tree came from a forest in the Vosges Mountains.
Read also: How to make your holiday villa feel like Christmas at home
#10 St Pancras International Station, London, UK
It’s yet another Tiffany’s Christmas tree! St Pancras’ Christmas tree is a highly anticipated annual event; Tiffany & Co made this year’s a scented tree.
#11 Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
The garden’s Christmas decorations includes the tallest luminarie Christmas tree in Asia! The Christmas Wonderland carnival will also thrill visitors with a European-style Christmas market, ice-skating, and fake-but-everyone-loves-it snow.
#12 Cathedral Square, Vilnius, Lithuania
The countdown to Christmas has begun in Vilnius, where they’ve set up the tree and market stalls to mimic a clock face, as seen from aerial view.
#13 Town Hall Square, Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius is on a roll this year. Not too far from the city’s main tree is another brightly lit spectacle with giant ornaments. This one is also accompanied by a market, where the stalls are in terrarium-like domes!
#14 Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The mall’s Christmas decorations are always something to look forward to in Kuala Lumpur. This year, the ‘tree’ is a towering, rotating structure bearing 1,000 Mickey Mouse figurines. The main entrance has also been turned into a winter wonderland – it even snows!