Across North America, cities across the United States are lighting up for the 2025 Christmas season, with many major events scheduled throughout late November and early December. Today, November 22, 2025, Boston, Chicago, Alexandria (VA), and Estes Park (CO) are holding their annual tree lighting ceremonies. The world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City— a 75-foot Norway Spruce from East Greenbush, New York decorated with over 50,000 LED lights — will be lit on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, during a nationally televised event that begins at 8 p.m. ET. Full livestream details are available on the NBC website. In Alaska, Anchorage’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Town Square Park takes place on November 29, while Fairbanks’ Ft. Wainwright base follows with its own ceremony on December 5.

Across Europe, festive markets and city illuminations are turning major destinations into winter wonderlands. In the UK, London’s Oxford Street turned on its “Sky Full of Stars” display earlier this month on November 3, while the iconic Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square will be lit on December 4, with more information available via the Londonist website. Europe’s largest Christmas markets are already open, including those in Vienna and Cologne, while today marks the opening of holiday markets and lighting ceremonies in Glasgow, Trier, and Montbéliard. Paris traditionally lights the Champs-Élysées in late November, while cities in Italy, Spain, and Russia typically illuminate in early December. In Portugal, Vila Nova de Gaia lights its tree today, and Porto will follow on December 1.

In Asia, Christmas displays continue to grow in scale. Singapore’s Orchard Road Light-Up runs throughout the festive season, with spectacular themed displays stretching for kilometers. Major cities across Southeast Asia, including Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, have begun unveiling their massive mall-centered Christmas installations. In Japan, cities like Tokyo and Osaka host world-famous illuminations such as the Caretta Shiodome display, opening mid-November and running through December.

Meanwhile, Australia, celebrating Christmas in summer, welcomes the season with outdoor festivals and grand tree lightings. Sydney’s Martin Place tree and Melbourne’s Federation Square display typically illuminate in late November or early December.

Additional events today, November 22, 2025, include the Estes Park tree lighting at 5:30 p.m., Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival featuring a parade with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the Alexandria Market Square lighting ceremony, and the Christmas tree lighting at WOW in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Upcoming highlights include Disneyland Paris festivities already underway, Óbidos Portugal beginning its Christmas village on November 28, the Porto lights switch-on on December 1, and New York’s Seaport District lighting its tree on December 2. Around the world, the season continues to expand with more cities announcing dates daily, offering locals and tourists magical displays, concerts, parades, and market celebrations marking the official arrival of the holiday season.

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