Moscow, London, Copenhagen, Berlin, New York and other world's beautiful capitals bust out their festive illuminations, eager to outshine each other in glorious displays of holiday spirit.
And while Christmas trees and lights may appear somewhat uniform, many locals have their own unique flair when it comes to winter holiday decorations.
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Shoppers make their way as Christmas lights illuminate Regent Street in London, Britain, December 7, 2019.
© REUTERS / Lisi Niesner
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Private nightclub Tramp in London decorated for Christmas festivities.
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People watch the lighting of The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City, US, December 4, 2019.
© REUTERS / Jeenah Moon
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Santa Claus arrives down the escalator at New York City's first-ever women's Nordstrom that spans seven stories on November 27, 2019 in New York City.
© AFP 2023 / Timothy A. Clary
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People on the Champs Elysees attend the launch of the Christmas holiday light show on the avenue leading up to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, November 24, 2019.
© REUTERS / Christian Hartmann
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A giant Christmas tree stands on the day the Galeries Lafayette department store lights were switched on for the festive season in Paris, France, November 21, 2019.
© REUTERS / Benoit Tessier
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A general view shows an entrance to the Gendarmenmarkt square Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2019.
© REUTERS / Fabrizio Bensch
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Christmas decorations are pictured at the opening of the Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt square in Berlin, Germany, November 25, 2019.
© REUTERS / Fabrizio Bensch
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A skating rink and a Christmas market in front of GUM (State Department Store) in Moscow, Russia.
© Sputnik / Ekaterina Chesnokova
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Christmas presents and souvenirs in TsUM (Central Universal Department Store) in Moscow.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich
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A Christmas tree is illuminated as people visit the traditional Christmas market at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, December 1, 2019.
© REUTERS / David W Cerny
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A picture taken on December 4, 2019 shows Christmas decorations at the Old Town Square of the Czech capital in Prague.
© AFP 2023 / Michal Cizek
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A Christmas market is pictured in front of Karslkirche in Vienna, Austria December 4, 2019.
© REUTERS / Leonhard Foeger
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A member of the Rudersdorf Music Society brass band plays Christmas carols with his tuba at the small Christmas market in Vienna's Mariahilfer Street on December 9, 2019 in Vienna, Austria.
© AFP 2023 / Joe Klamar
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Cars pass around a decorated Christmas tree at Piazza Venezia in Rome, Italy December 11, 2019. Picture taken with long exposure.
© REUTERS / Yara Nardi
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A woman takes a picture of a decorated Christmas tree at Galleria Colonna in Rome, Italy December 11, 2019.
© REUTERS / Yara Nardi