Dazzled by Christmas Trees

Brazil

You have to see it to believe it in Rio de Janeiro at the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. The Christmas tree stands 60 meters tall and has been designed to blend in with the Lagoa landscape, complementary to the greenery, the city, and its people. It is the world’s largest floating Christmas tree.

England

Trafalgar Square in London is the home of the holiday Christmas tree that comes from the Nordmarka Forest in the southwest of Oslo, Norway. It has been nicknamed the “Queen of the Forest.” The tree begins its journey to Brevik, then across the North Sea to Immingham, and by road to London. There the Christmas tree stands proudly in the square, sparkling with fairy lights.

France

Strasbourg becomes a Christmas capital with the Strasbourg Christmas Market. In the Place Kléber stands the dazzling and shimmering Grand Christmas Tree with impressive illuminations. The 2025 edition is decorated around the theme of the Advent wreath with symbols of hope, peace, joy, and love all brought to life with candles, doves, Alsatian houses, and kelsch hearts.

Italy

The city of Gubbio, in Umbria, might not have the traditional Christmas tree, but you have to admit they do have a lovely tree with Christmas lights. Being artistic and creative, the city has a Christmas tree on the slopes of Mount Ingino outside of the city.

Latvia

Christmas in Riga 2025: the capital of Latvia was just ranked 3rd in Europe’s Best Christmas Markets 2025. Visitors love visiting during the holiday to see the Old Town Christmas Market in Dome Square with such treats as smoked meats and Latvian handcrafts like patterned mittens, wooden candlesticks, jarred honey, and wax candles.

But the crowning jewel is the Christmas tree in Town Hall Square, which is selected by the Mayor of Riga from the Tirelis Forest District near the village of Cielava, Latvia.

Lithuania

The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, begins the festive holiday season as the European Capital of Christmas 2025. Every year, the city adopts an original theme for its Christmas tree. This year, the tree is a traditional aesthetic kind featuring red and gold colors that resonate with the growing desire for nostalgia. Joyful moments spent together are the most precious Christmas gifts we can have, and this stunning natural spruce, decorated in an original and classical way featuring red and gold colors, will create many of these moments for residents and visitors alike," said Mayor of Vilnius, Valdas Benkunskas. This beautiful Christmas tree now sparkles in the Old Town, adorned with twinkling lights and forest-inspired motifs, and stands proudly in Cathedral Square. It is the focal point of the Christmas Market.

Mexico

In Mexico City at the historic main square, Zocalo, is where you can see the impressive Christmas tree to create a holiday atmosphere. The square becomes a winter wonderland with a large ice-skating rink and a Christmas market.

New York

New York City is home to the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. The tree is annually set up in Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. Since 1997 the tree lighting ceremony has been broadcast to millions of TV viewers, but it is always the best to see it in person with live entertainment and the Mayor of NYC. The tree is usually a Norway spruce and remains on display until mid-January.

Poland

Krakow is a European city that has real Christmas spirit. The streets and architecture of the city look like a background for Christmas cards. It is the central square, Market Square in the Old Town, that has the honor of not only hosting the yearly Christmas market but also of having the city’s holiday tree that gets grandly decorated and stands next to St. Mary’s Basilica with impressive Gothic architecture.

Spain

Madrid goes all out, featuring twelve huge Christmas trees displayed in major squares such as Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. These trees start sparkling at the end of November, bringing the joy of the holidays to everyone.

Washington, D.C.

The Christmas tree on Capitol Hill comes from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. (pictured above) The lighting of the holiday tree is a time-honored tradition and takes place during a ceremony on the West Front Lawn on December 2, and then the tree is lit from dusk till 11 PM every evening through early January. Members of the US Coast Guard Band performed during the US Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the West Front Lawn at the US Capitol on Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington, DC.