Lights, Camera, Christmas!

Japan's Spectacular Tunnel of Lights

If you happen to be in Japan from now to March 31, 2014, make sure to check out one of Japan's most stunning displays of light called Winter Illuminations at Nabana no Sato, a botanical garden turned light theme park on the island of Nagashima in Kuwana.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org / wikiUser: Diliff

Christmas at the Brandenburg Gate

A former city gate, The " Brandenburger Tor" is situated at the end of Unter den Linden, a grand boulevard in Berlin, Germany. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate has become not only the symbol of a reunified Berlin, but also of European unity and peace.

Photo source: Weihnacht Arcor Hotels

The Big, Bright Light Show at Rochester, New York

The buildings in downtown Rochester, known as The World's Image Center, are covered every year with more than 1 million points of glimmering holiday light. This year the display will be lit every evening from December 2 through January 5, 2014

Photo source: fineartamerica.com

Lightning of the Christmas Tree at Westminster Abbey

Whether you're a fan of gothic architecture or not, the scene at Westminster Abbey as a 25-foot illuminated Christmas tree is lit and the choristers sing is quite picturesque and dramatically different than in daylight.

Photo: Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA

"The Dome"

Tourists may think this is a bank or a public building, but it is not. At least, not any more. "The Dome" restaurant used to be a branch of The Royal Bank of Scotland, at the former financial district of Edinburgh New Town. Now many of the former financial institutions have been converted to trendy bars, cafés and shops.

Photo source: edinphoto.org.uk

Christmas Lights in Medellín

Also known as the Lighting of Medellín (El Alumbrado), this is a traditional seasonal event in Colombia where the city hangs millions of Christmas lights, especially on and around the Medellín River. The Lighting of Medellin was selected among the top ten cities to view holiday lights by the National Geographic in 2012.

Photo: Raúl Arboleda

The London Eye

This giant Ferris wheel, 443 ft tall with a diameter of 394 ft, is also known as the Millennium Wheel. Since its opening in 2011, on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, the Eye has become a major landmark and tourist attraction in England.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org / wikiUser: Diliff

Fall in Love with Warsaw on Christmas

Every December "The Great Illumination" finds place in Warsaw, Poland. The entire Royal Route, The Old and New Town are lit, creating a magical atmosphere and overwhelming emotions.

Photo: Radek Pietruszka / EPA

White Christmas at Santa's Hometown

Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, Finland, lies at the northern Arctic Circle. It's a special place not only for its unbelievable location, but it also happens to be the hometown of Santa Claus who can be met on any day of the year at the Santa Claus Office (or maybe at the most northern McDonald's in the world).

Photo source: http://nexttriptourism.com