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Twinkling Lights Spread Holiday Cheer Around the World
From California to Moscow and beyond, festive holiday illuminations are banishing the gloom.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Muslim women take a selfie in front of a Christmas tree at a mall Dec. 13. The spirit of Christmas is felt very much in Muslim-dominated Malaysia, as shopping malls in Malaysia have decorated their premises with Christmas trees, lights, and Santa Clauses as a chance to boost year-end sales.
Mumbai, India
A Rabbi lights a Menorah to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Dec. 13. Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, celebrates the revolt of the Maccabees in 165 BCE against the Syrian-Greek forces that had been occupying the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
Medford, New Jersey
People gather to see the annual holiday lights display at the home of Amber Merefield on Dec. 13. Started by her parents, the annual tradition has dazzled crowds in southern New Jersey for years, but could be coming to an end. Merefield says she will be leaving the state soon for her job.
National Harbor, Maryland
Children stand in front of a nativity scene made entirely of ice, part of the ICE! event just outside of Washington, on Dec. 15. The walk-through holiday attraction is kept at a chilly 9 degrees and contains two million pounds of hand-carved holiday themed ice sculptures and five ice slides.
Torrance, California
Lights cover a home in the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood on Dec. 15. In many neighborhoods of Los Angeles, homeowners compete for the most lavish and creative holiday light displays. Torrance's Sleepy Hollow is one such neighborhood where every home outdoes the next: surfing Santas, life-size nativity scenes, ferris wheels, and giant inflatable snowmen line the lawns on every street.
Zagreb, Croatia
Ban Jelacic Square is lit up with Christmas lights on Dec. 13. With an ice sculpture festival, brass band fanfares and a huge skating rink, Croatia's capital is pulling in growing numbers of winter tourists in the hope of cheering its struggling economy.
Amritsar, India
Christians pay their respects at the illuminated St Mary's Catholic Church on Dec. 23, 2015. Despite Christians forming a little over two percent of the billion plus population in India, with Hindus comprising the majority, Christmas is celebrated with fanfare and zeal throughout the country.
New York City
Holiday lights shine on the 83rd Rockefeller Center Christmas tree on Dec. 2. The humble Christmas tree has a rich history, from evergreen trees used to symbolize eternal life in Ancient Egypt to tree worship among pagan Europeans. The modern version has its origins in Germany, where the song "O Tannenbaum" is still a festive favorite.
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