Christmas Celebrations Around the World

Dara Continenza has been exploring the world and writing about it since 2010. Her writing has appeared on Hopper, SmarterTravel, USA Today, Money, U.S. News and World Report, Yahoo, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Boston.com, and others.

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Pack up the sleigh and wrap yourself in your coziest scarf. Here’s a photo tour of 10 Christmas celebrations around the world, from citywide parties to cheery holiday markets.

Seoul, South Korea

A tree twinkles with lights in South Korea, where Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays.

London, England

The Lord Mayor of London switching on the holiday lights at the annual ceremony in Leadenhall Market, one of the oldest markets in the city.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Racing on reindeer sleigh in finland lapland winter — Roman Babakin/Shutterstock

Reindeer pull sleighs in Rovaniemi, Finland’s capital of Lapland.

Strasbourg, France

Streets and facades of houses, traditionally decorated with toys teddy bears for christmas — MarinaD_37/Shutterstock

Streets and facades of houses are traditionally decorated with toys and teddy bears for Christmas in medieval city of Strasbourg.

Orlando, Florida

Toy soldiers parade down main street, u.s.a., at magic kingdom during “mickey’s once upon a christmastime parade.” — Walt Disney World

Each year, Disney World decks out its castle and Main Street in Christmas finery. Special parades, live stage shows, and more mark the Christmas season.

New York City

hundreds of costumed revelers filled times square to muster for the 17th annual santacon pub crawl — MarinaD_37/Shutterstock

During New York’s SantaCon, you’ll see Kris Kringle everywhere you look.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A floating Christmas tree lights up the evening sky above Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ban Tha Rae, Thailand

Star parade,christmas festival,star parade to celebrate christmas ,caravan star lamp,is a celebration of christians in sakon nakhon and ban tha rae,thai. — aimpol buranet/Shutterstock

Tha Rae in northeastern Thailand hosts a yearly multi-day Christmas Parade Festival, featuring performances and parades.

Rome, Italy

A Christmas tree stands tall next to the towering Colosseum in the Piazza del Colosseo in Rome, Italy.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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