FX.co ★ Most Fabulously Decorated Cities For Christmas

Our first stop is in New York. For almost a century, (since 1931) every year the Rockefeller Center in Manhattan installs the famous Christmas Tree. Curiously enough, a special group of people looks for a tree throughout the year in different states of the country, and the final choice is made by Eric Pose, the chief florist of the center.

Since 2004, the top of the magnificent Christmas Tree is decorated with a Swarovski star. Its diameter reaches almost three meters, and the weight is near 250 kilograms.

Residents of Vienna also do not spare any effort or money for the festive decorations of the capital. Among splendid palaces and majestic Gothic churches, a variety of Christmas markets are held. Viennese Christmas Dream is the most famous one. It traditionally opens on the town hall square. Before entering the market, visitors pass through a several meter high arch decorated with candles. Then, they can go to a skating rink. For children, there are different types of entertainment such as a merry-go-round and reindeer sledding. Little guests will be also amazed by fairy-tale light decorations that resemble characters and places from children's Christmas fairy tales.

At Christmas, a truly magical atmosphere reigns in Paris, the city of romance and love. In early December, the streets, squares, and buildings of the capital are decorated with bright lights. Apart from amazing illumination, Paris is famous worldwide for its large-scale Christmas markets, the largest ones are opened in the La Defense quarter and on the Champs Elysees.

Every year, hoards of tourists flock to Berlin for Christmas. At the local Christmas markets, you can buy handmade gifts and other unique items, go on the ride, listen to music, and watch interesting greetings shows. One of the most splendid Christmas markets is located on Gendarmenmarkt square. As a rule, in Berlin Christmas markets are closed on December 25.

During December, London turns into a winter fairy tale. Londoners embellish the city with bright and ravishing things. A few know that in London there is one curious tradition connected with the Christmas Tree. Every year a 20-meter Christmas tree is delivered to London from Norway. It is a symbolic gift from the Norwegian people for the help provided by the United Kingdom during the Second World War.

Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, also amazes tourists with its Christmas decorations. In front of the Cathedral on the Duomo square, the three-meter high Christmas tree is placed. The main streets, squares, and buildings are decorated with bright garlands. At Christmas, different concerts and festivities are held in the city.

In Russia, Christmas is celebrated according to the Julian calendar on January 7, while Western churches celebrate it on December 25. Therefore, the Christmas decorations remain far longer than in European countries. Moscow is full of bright lights and installations which from year to year become more diverse and remarkable.

For the last four years, Moscow has been hosting " The Journey to Christmas Festival" where people can enjoy live music, performances and take part in various competitions and games. This year there were 78 festival venues.

About three thousand various fantastic decorations have been prepared such as figures of different shapes, tents, arches, etc. About one and a half thousand kilometers of garlands were used to create all the light structures. 290 Christmas trees were installed in Moscow. So, it is not surprising that thousands of tourists want to come and see the capital of Russia during the Christmas holidays.

Since 1985, Ottawa, Canada’s capital, becomes a little brighter every year with the Christmas Lights Across Canada program designed to showcase Ottawa's major landmarks, e.g. the historic Parliament Buildings. Until December 25, in the evenings, the Center Block of Parliament Hill turns into a giant screen which projects light multimedia show.