Travelholidays 2015Hanukkahchristmas 2015

Stunning Photos Capture The Holiday Spirit Around The World

We're living on a giant ornament hanging on the Christmas tree of the universe.
By 

Men's Lifestyle Editor, The Huffington Post

No matter where you go around the world, you can't hide from the holidays.

Cities small and big, warm and cold, from Sydney to Vatican City, get into the spirit of the season every year and deck their halls with lights, holly, trees and menorahs. Some favor the traditional trees and twinkling lights, while others, uh, burn their trash with an effigy of the devil on top, and others scuba dive dressed as Santa.

The photos below tour the wide range of holiday wonderlands around the world and make a good argument that this really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Vatican City, Vatican
Giorgio Cosulich via Getty Images
People and pilgrims gather at Saint Peter's Square to attend the Holy Mass and the opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica on Dec. 8, 2015.
Vatican Pool via Getty Images
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 8, 2015.
Franco Origlia via Getty Images
A general view during a Christmas tree switch-on ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica. The 34-meter high, 94-year-old Norwegian spruce was offered by the Italian village of Luson and was switched on during a traditional ceremony started by Pope John Paul II in 1982.
Manhattan, New York
Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
Thousands of people witnessed the lighting of 45,000 multi-colored, energy efficient LED bulbs on the 78-foot-tall, 80-year-old Norway Spruce, which is topped with a spectacular Swarovski crystal star in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Rockefeller Center has held the Christmas tree lighting ceremony annually to greet the upcoming Christmas since 1933.
Bobby Bank via Getty Images
The angels play their trumpets in front of the 78-foot-tall, 80-year-old Norway Spruce, which is topped with a spectacular Swarovski crystal star in Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Mireya Acierto via Getty Images
General atmosphere during the Saks Fifth Avenue 2015 Holiday Window Unveiling at Saks Fifth Avenue on Nov. 23, 2015, in New York City.
Ben Hider via Getty Images
The 2015 Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows in New York City are themed "The Winter Palace."
Stephen Chernin via Getty Images
The 17th century brass menorah rests on the altar before its lighting during the first night of Hanukkah at Congregation Emanu-El in New York City.
Steve Zak Photography via Getty Images
Radio City Rockettes pose during the Radio City Christmas Spectacular's Living Nativity as animals arrive for rehearsals at Radio City Music Hall.
Honolulu, Hawaii
jdnx/Flickr
The Honolulu City Lights are an annual tradition, taking revelers through downtown Honolulu to the Honolulu Hale.
madmarv00/Flickr
Santa throws the shaka while Mrs. Claus gets a tan during the annual Honolulu City Lights in downtown Honolulu.
Budapest, Hungary
Bloomberg via Getty Images
An illuminated Christmas tree stands in front of St. Stephen's Basilica at a Christmas market in Budapest, on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
Cologne, Germany
JTB Photo via Getty Images
The main entrance to a Christmas market in front of the Cologne Cathedral stands illuminated as shoppers pass by, in Cologne, Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
Shoppers pass festively decorated stalls at a Christmas market in Cologne, Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
A vendor arranges his goods on a market stall selling illuminated decorations at a Christmas market in Cologne, Germany.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jeff R. Bottari via Getty Images
A tree glows during the "Winter in Venice" event at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
Mindy Small via Getty Images
The High Roller crowns a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony featuring Britney Spears at The LINQ Promenade on Nov. 21, 2015, in Las Vegas.
Washington, D.C.
The Washington Post via Getty Images
A Christmas tree within the Blue Room is seen at the White House on Wednesday Dec. 02, 2015, in Washington, D.C.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images
The National Menorah is seen near the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 10, 2015.
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
The Capitol Christmas tree is shown lighted during a ceremony on the west front of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 2, 2015 in Washington, D.C. This year's tree, a 90-year-old Lutz Spruce standing 74 feet tall and weighing 6,400 pounds, was harvested from the Chugach National Forest in Alaska and transported 4,400 miles to Washington.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images
The National Christmas tree is seen near the White House in Washington, D.C. on December 10, 2015.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
A person stands before the Christmas tree during the ceremonial lighting on Capitol Hill Dec. 2, 2015 in Washington, D.C.
England
BEN STANSALL via Getty Images
British Prime Minister David Cameron looks on as the lights of the Christmas tree outside Number 10 Downing Street are turned with Points of Light fundraisers and volunteers in attendance in London on Dec. 10, 2015.
John Phillips via Getty Images
The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree stands tall over on Dec. 3, 2015.
Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images
The ceiling of Covent Garden Market is lined with giant mistletoe as part of its Christmas light display on Dec. 8, 2015.
Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images
Crowds gather to watch a street performer in front of the Covent Garden Christmas Tree on Dec. 8, 2015.
Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images
A London taxi drives past the Christmas lighting displays on Bond Street on Dec. 8, 2015.
Paris, France
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Place Vendome is seen as Christmas preparations begin in Paris, France, on Nov. 29, 2015.
Chesnot via Getty Images
A general view of the illuminated facade with different colors of the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville department store on Dec. 11, 2015 in Paris, France.
Strasbourg, France
FREDERICK FLORIN via Getty Images
People walk near the city's Christmas market, the largest and one of the oldest French Christmas markets in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Dec. 1, 2015.
FREDERICK FLORIN via Getty Images
A Christmas tree is lit in Strasbourg, during France's longest-running market.
Rome, Italy
VINCENZO PINTO via Getty Images
A Christmas tree is illuminated with the French national colors and the Italian national colors to pay tribute to the victims of Paris attacks a month ago, on Dec. 13, 2015 in Rome.
VINCENZO PINTO via Getty Images
A man dressed as Santa Claus drives an old Fiat 500 car at Piazza Venezia square in central Rome on Dec. 13, 2015.
Florence, Italy
Awakening via Getty Images
Residents and tourists look at the Christmas decorations in Piazza del Duomo on Dec. 9, 2015, in Florence, Italy. Christmas markets, fairs, lights and nativity scenes fill northern Italian cities and villages from December through to Jan. 6.
Awakening via Getty Images
Residents and tourists walk in the city Santa Croce area decorated for Christmas on Dec. 9, 2015 in Florence, Italy.
Laura Lezza via Getty Images
A general view of atmosphere at Piazza della Repubblica on Dec. 9, 2015 in Florence, Italy.
Laura Lezza via Getty Images
A general view of atmosphere at Ponte Vecchio lighting on Dec. 9, 2015 in Florence, Italy.
Venice, Italy
Marco Secchi via Getty Images
A Christmas tree decorated by Thun in its traditional style is seen as part of a Nativity scene decoration in St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy.
Chicago, Illinois
Chris McKay via Getty Images
A menorah adds to the festive season at Daley Plaza's Christkindlmarket in Chicago.
Chris McKay via Getty Images
The Atkinson Family Tree is decorated for Christmas and enjoyed by shoppers at the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza in Chicago.
Brussels, Belgium
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Belgians start their Christmas preparation and shopping at a bazaar around Saint-Catherine and Grande Place selling Christmas goods in Brussels on Dec. 12, 2015.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Belgians shop at a bazaar around Saint-Catherine and Grande Place on Dec. 12, 2015.
Budapest, Hungary
ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images
Ira Forman, Special Envoy of the US government to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, lights a torch on the last day of the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, the Hanukkah, at Bartok Square of Szekesfehervar town, southwest of Budapest, on Dec. 13, 2015 during a commemoration for Hanukkah.
Jerusalem, Israel
MENAHEM KAHANA via Getty Images
An Ultra-orthodox Jewish man lights candles on the second night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, in a religious neighborhood of Jerusalem, on Dec. 7, 2015.
Berlin, Germany
Carsten Koall via Getty Images
The area is illuminated after the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah at a public ceremony near the Brandenburg Gate on Dec. 6, 2015.
Carsten Koall via Getty Images
The first lamp of a large scale menorah in front of the Brandenburg Gate lights after it was lights by Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal and German Interior Minist Lothar de Maiziere.
Sydney, Australia
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Screened Christmas decorations are seen on a building in Sydney, Australia on Dec. 14, 2015.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A turkey wears a Santa hat in a private garden in Sydney, Australia on Dec. 14, 2015. Sydney begins to prepare Christmas activities under a hot summer.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A man finds relief from the heat on a bench in the shade in front of a shop of Christmas trees at Bondi village in Sydney, Australia on Dec. 14, 2015.
Bogota, Colombia
LUIS ACOSTA via Getty Images
The sanctuary of the Basilica of the Fallen Lord of Montserrate is seen illuminated for Christmas in Bogota on Dec. 8, 2015. The basilica, a pilgrim destination and tourist attraction, is located on Montserrate, one of highest hills of the city.
Orlando, Florida
Alex Menendez via Getty Images
Christmas lights glow on palm trees prior to a NCAA basketball game between the Massachusetts Minutemen and the UCF Knights at the CFE Arena on Dec. 8, 2015.
Antigua, Guatemala
JOHAN ORDONEZ via Getty Images
People remain near an image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception during celebrations in her honor, on Dec. 7, 2015 in Antigua Guatemala municipality. The event marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Guatemala.
JOHAN ORDONEZ via Getty Images
A devil's figure is seen before being set ablaze during celebrations in honor of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, on Dec. 7, 2015 in Antigua, Guatemala.
JOHAN ORDONEZ via Getty Images
A devil's figure is set ablaze during celebrations in honor of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, on Dec. 7, 2015 in Antigua Guatemala.
Brandenburg, Germany
PATRICK PLEUL via Getty Images
A diver dressed as Santa Claus attends the annual Christmas Diving event at Lake Helene near Frankfurt an der Oder in eastern Germany on Dec. 12, 2015.

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