Scenes of people getting into the holiday spirit—Christmas markets opening, festive lights adorning buildings and trees, light shows and holiday events taking place—all to make the most of the shorter winter days in the north, and to bring a little color, brightness, and wonder into the season.
Delighting in Holiday Light Shows
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Read moreTwo young visitors from Mozambique and Ireland shoot a selfie in front of a giant Christmas tree at the annual Christmas market at Alexanderplatz in Berlin, Germany, on November 28, 2017. #
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Read moreA man looks at a illuminated face on a tree at the launch of the "Enchanted Christmas" attraction at Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, England, on November 29, 2017. The popular annual installation, which features illuminations and interactive features along the trail, will take place on long weekends from December 1 through 18. #
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Read moreThe Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stands lit as people take photos of it and the holiday decorations at Rockefeller Center during the 85th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 29, 2017, in New York City. #
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Read moreA visitor interacts with the installation Celestial Shadows, which is part of the exhibit "Enchanted: Forest of Light" at Descanso Gardens in the city of La Cañada Flintridge, California, on November 21, 2017. #
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters -
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Read morePeople take a selfie at the "Enchanted: Forest of Light" exhibit at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, California, on November 21, 2017. #
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Read moreA woman poses for a photo in a light tunnel during a preview for the Christmas at Kew event on November 21, 2017 in London, England. #
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Read moreA view of the traditional Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 27, 2017. #
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Read moreGreta, 9, and her mother hold hands as they enjoy a swing ride at the annual Christmas market at Alexanderplatz on November 28, 2017, in Berlin, Germany. #
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Read moreThe Palm House at Kew Gardens is illuminated with a light show during a preview for the Christmas at Kew event on November 21, 2017, in London, England. #
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Read moreA visitor interacts with the installation Celestial Shadows at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, California, on November 21, 2017. #
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters -
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Read moreVisitors look at the lights at the launch of the "Enchanted Christmas" attraction at Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury on November 29, 2017. #
Matt Cardy / Getty -
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Read moreAn employee poses with a 20-foot Nordmann Fir tree from Windsor Great Park in St George's Hall, which has been decorated for the Christmas period in Windsor Castle, England, on November 23, 2017. The Windsor Castle State Apartments are used by members of the royal family for hosting and events. Queen Elizabeth II resides at Windsor Castle most weekends and over the Easter period. It is the oldest and largest-inhabited castle in the world. #
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Read moreA visitor uses his mobile phone at Flower Power at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, California, on November 21, 2017. #
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters -
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Read moreA giant Christmas tree and the art deco glass dome in Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, France, on November 27, 2017. #
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Read moreThe Champs Elysee Avenue is illuminated with a Ferris wheel for the Christmas season in Paris, France, on November 22, 2017. #
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Read morePedestrians walk in front of the famous restaurant "Café Pushkin," decorated with festive lights for the upcoming holidays in Moscow on November 21, 2017. #
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Read moreVisitors walk among stalls selling mulled wine and food as an illuminated Ferris wheel spins behind at the annual Christmas market at Alexanderplatz on November 28, 2017, in Berlin, Germany. #
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Read moreAn artist dressed as an ice queen poses at the opening of the Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt Square in Berlin, Germany, on November 27, 2017. #
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Read moreThe Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stands lit in Rockefeller Center during the 85th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 29, 2017, in New York City. #
Andres Kudacki / AP -
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Read moreVisitors pose for a selfie in Starlight Garden in Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, California, on November 21, 2017. #
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters -
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Read moreVisitors walk through the installation Garden of Good Fortune in Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, California, on November 21, 2017. #
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Read moreA staff member walks through the annual year-end illumination in Shiodome district, Tokyo, Japan, on November 23, 2017. #
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Read moreA woman uses a mobile phone to take pictures of Christmas lights during a show of lights and songs to mark the start of the Christmas season at Marqués de Larios street in downtown Málaga, Spain, on November 24, 2017. #
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Read moreVisitors walk through the installation Ancient Forest in Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, California, on November 21, 2017. #
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters -
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Read moreGirls run through a tunnel, made of illuminated stars, built for the forthcoming holiday season outside a shopping mall in Moscow on November 24, 2017. #
Mladen Antonov / AFP / Getty -
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Read moreAn illuminated Ferris wheel turns next to a giant Christmas tree at the annual Christmas market in Alexanderplatz, Berlin, Germany, on November 28, 2017. #
Sean Gallup / Getty
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