No Christmas celebration is complete without an enchanting tree, decorated in all manner of lights, colorful baubles, and curling ribbon. Not only are Christmas trees symbols of peace but they also provide a cheerful centerpiece to all holiday festivities. While every tree, whether real or artificial, plain or decorated to the nines, is beautiful, there are a few that stand out from the rest, drawing visitors from around the world to marvel at their leafy boughs. From towering Christmas trees floating in a lagoon to dazzling displays of electricity, these are the most beautiful Christmas trees around the world.
The Rockefeller Center, New York City
The crown jewel of all Christmas trees, New York City’s Rockefeller Center decks the Big Apple's halls with its stunning 70-foottall masterpiece. Gracing Rockefeller Plaza, the tree is bedazzled with 50,000 lights and its signature, 900-pound Swarovski crystal star. But those aren’t the only elements that make this conifer truly special. The Rockefeller Tree has been a Norway spruce since 1982 and must come from the Mid-Atlantic region, typically within the state of New York. Over the years, the tree has become a beacon of hope and has changed to reflect the times, including remaining unlit in 1944 due to WWII blackout regulations. Visitors can make the moment of witnessing the trees' Yuletide splendor even more magical by ice skating at the rink that sits in the same plaza.
Tallinn, Estonia
Surrounded by a small village of wooden stalls, and accompanied by the sweet smell of glögi, Tallinn’s Christmas tree has been enjoyed for almost 600 years. The Tallinn jõulupuu was the first publicly displayed Christmas tree in the world way back in 1441. Like the Rockefeller tree, the Tallinn tree is selected from the crème de la crème of Northern Estonia’s firs. The selected tree must be between 15 and 18 meters tall and have dense pine needles. Tallinn’s tree is delivered by Santa among traditional music, similar to its original reveal long ago.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sailing out into Rio de Janeiro’s Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, the world’s largest floating Christmas tree makes its debut every December 1st. A staggering fireworks display erupts as darkness falls over the lagoon, further illuminating the whopping 278-foot-tall tree. Over 300 lights compete with the dazzling display in the sky, changing throughout the night to show off various decorations like a vibrant sun and a shimmering, neon blue blaze with silvery stars. If you happen to be celebrating in Rio, don’t miss the chance to try rabanadas, a typical Brazilian dessert that resembles French toast.
Galeries Lafayette, Paris, France
Possibly the most elaborately designed Christmas tree in the world, the Galeries Lafayette Sapin de Noël celebrates the season with an impressive display of artistry. Each year the tree has a different, dazzling theme and reaches up almost 70 feet through the heart of the Galeries, housed beneath its technicolor glass dome. Past years have showcased trees from Outer Space or the famous Upside Down Christmas tree. The legendarily beautiful, and sometimes animated, window displays match the tree’s theme and are an important part of the overall spectacle. Festivities begin on November 15th and run until New Year’s Day.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Much like the Galeries Lafayette, Vilnius has a unique, themed Christmas tree every year too - except this one is electric. Instead of a live tree, Vilnius utilizes a combination of traditional string lights, electronic displays, and even candles to achieve wintry themes like the Queen of Winter, Chess, or the glittering Jubilee Tree. The tree stands at the heart of Vilnius’ Cathedral Square, aglow in thousands of bulbs and shimmering decorations. Nearby Christmas markets provide Yuletide-lovers with delicious traditional goodies like kūčiukai, cakes eaten on Christmas Eve, or meduoliai, Lithuanian gingerbread cookies.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Africa’s take on the Christmas tree is front in center at Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela Square. Every year, a stately baobab tree is constructed entirely out of golden colored lights, its bulbous trunk reaching up to delicate branches beneath strands of twinkle lights. This iconic symbol was created in the likeness of South Africa’s largest tree, the Sagole Baobab, a 125-foot-tall giant commonly found in the very north of the country.
Sydney, Australia
It might be summer in the southern hemisphere, but that doesn’t stop Sydney from taking part in Christmas traditions. Soaring above the bustling Martin Place, Sydney’s most beautiful (and tallest) Christmas tree is decorated with giant baubles, twinkling lights, and a radiant star. Every year, the tree lighting ceremony commences with Santa flipping on the string lights amid a firework fanfare.
