05

Dec

Photo Story: Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony in New York

New York policemen stand guard during the 87th annual tree lighting ceremony at the Rockefeller Center in New York, USA.   Photo:  EPA-EFE/JASON SZENES     Click on photos to…

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05

Dec

Photo Story: Turin landmark illuminated in Christmas lights

A view of the Mole Antonelliana monument in Turin, Italy. Wednesday evening the Mole Antonelliana was illuminated in blue for the Christmas season in Turin.   Photos: EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

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05

Dec

British school bans children from sending Christmas cards to protect the environment

A British primary school headteacher is in the centre of a controversy after banning pupils from sending Christmas cards. Jonathan Mason, head of Belton Lane Primary School in Grantham, Lincolnshire,…

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04

Dec

Photo Story: The Christmas market in Prague

Scenes from the Christmas market at Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic. Christmas markets, traditionally selling mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, hot mead, chimney cakes and Christmas tree decorations and…

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04

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas tree with a difference unveiled in Viimsi, Estonia

A Christmas tree is on display in Viimsi, Estonia. The 12m-high Christmas tree was designed by artist Teet Suur from some 1,500 pieces of four-litre windscreen wash canisters.   Photos:…

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04

Dec

Photo Story: ‘Enchant Christmas’ at Nationals Park in Washington

Visitors ice skate at Enchant Christmas, a traveling Christmas fair, at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, USA. The event runs from 22 November through to 29 December.   Photos: EPA-EFE/JIM…

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01

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas lights go on in Lisbon

People gather around a giant Christmas tree, in downtown Lisbon, Portugal. Christmas lights were lit this weekend all over the city. Photos: EPA-EFE/Jose Sena Goulao   Click photos to enlarge

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01

Dec

Photo Story: A special delivery from Santa Claus in Turin

Moments from the gathering on Sunday morning of people dressed as Santa Claus to greet and cheer the sick children at the Regina Margherita hospital in Turin, Italy. The visit…

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01

Dec

Relic believed to come from Christ’s manger arrives in Bethlehem

A tiny wooden relic which some believe to come from Christ's manger has arrived in Bethlehem ahead of Christmas. The relic was first sent to the Vatican 1,400 years ago…

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01

Dec

Photo Story: The Christmas Market opens in Brussels

  The Grand Place is illuminated during a light show as part of the 'Winter Wonders' event in Brussels, Belgium. The 'Winter Wonders' and Christmas Market takes place in the…

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01

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Vilnius

Photos from the annual lighting of the Vilnius Christmas tree at the Cathedral Square, in Vilnius, Lithuania. The annual lighting of the Vilnius' Christmas tree was held on Saturday evening,…

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28

Nov

Photo Story: 200kg angel for Dortmund Christmas Tree

One of the world's biggest Christmas trees is illuminated at the Christmas Market in Dortmund, Germany. The Christmas tree is 45 meters high and made is of twigs of 1700…

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28

Nov

Photo Story: The Christmas market in Tallinn, Estonia

  Scenes from the Christmas market in the Town Hall Square, Tallinn, Estonia. Reports state that the Christmas tree, which is the most important Christmas tree in Estonia and has…

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27

Nov

Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin reopens

Christmas installations are illuminated at the Christmas market at the Breitscheidplatz in Berlin, Germany. Breitscheidplatz square was the target of a terror attack in which 12 people lost their lives,…

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25

Nov

Photo Story: The Champs-Elysees in Paris lights up for Christmas

Scenes from the Avenue des Champs-Elysees towards the Place de la Concorde. Thousands of people attended the ceremony to switch on the Christmas illuminations on the famous boulevard in Paris,…

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23

Nov

Photo Story: Holiday decorations in Pristina, Kosovo

Workers install decorations on a Christmas tree at the main square in Pristina, Kosovo. Kosovars are preparing to celebrate New Year's Eve on 31 December and Christmas on 25 December…

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23

Nov

Traditional Strasbourg Christmas market opens amid tight security

Photos from the Christmas market near the Cathedral of Our Lady in Strasbourg, France, as it opened for this year’s holidays. One year after the terrorist attack in Strasbourg, security…

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23

Nov

Photo Story: Madrid lights up for the Christmas holidays

Photos of the Christmas Lights 2019 around Cibeles Palace in Madrid, Spain. On Friday evening the Christmas lights were light up in the Spanish capital in preparation for the upcoming…

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22

Nov

Photo Story: Christmas decoration at Tierpark Berlin

A collection of photos of the 'Christmas at the Tierpark' show in Berlin, Germany. A total of 30 light sculptures will be on display. Illuminated treetops, shining stars along the…

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22

Nov

Photo Story: Christmas decorations go up in Zurich

People admire the Christmas illumination nicknamed "Lucy" on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich, Switzerland, 21 November 2019. “Lucy”, as the new network of twinkling LED lights is called, was switched on early…

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21

Nov

Photo Story: Christmas decoration set up in front of the Kremlin

Workers install decoration on a Christmas tree in front of the Kremlin in Moscow. Muscovites are preparing to celebrate New Year's Eve on 31 December and Christmas which is observed…

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21

Nov

Photo Story: Galeries Lafayette Christmas decoration unveiled in Paris

Christmas decorations in the Galeries Lafayette department store as the festive illuminations are unveiled, in Paris, France, on the evening of Wednesday 20 November 2019. This year the guest of…

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20

Nov

Photo Story: Christmas at Kew Gardens

A guest poses with illuminations during a photo call for 'Christmas at Kew' in the Royal Botanical Gardens in London, Britain. About 20km of cabling have been laid for light…

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20

Nov

World’s first printed Christmas card goes on display at Dickens museum in London

The world’s first printed Christmas card, an artwork created in 1843 that went on to spawn a global industry, has gone on show at the Charles Dickens Museum in London.…

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20

Nov

Photo Story: Madrid gears up for Christmas

Light installations are on display at the exhibition 'Las Luces del Real Jardin Botanico' (lit. Royal Botanical Garden Lights), a Christmas spectacle that is part of the 'Christmas Garden' project…

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17

Nov

Dutch luxury department store Bijenkorf cancels Christmas lights show to cut costs

The Bijenkorf luxury department store group has sacked several dozen members of staff and scrapped the annual Christmas light show in Amsterdam to cut costs, Dutch media is reporting. The…

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17

Nov

Photo Story: Christmas decoration set up in Minsk

Belarussian communal workers over the weekend set up a framework for a Christmas Tree in downtown Minsk, Belarus.   Photo: EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO  

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17

Nov

Photo Story: Christmas preparations in Hungary

Photos of the Christmas installation depicting the reindeer sleigh of Santa Claus is on display in Szerencs, northeastern Hungary, in preparation for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. Photos: EPA-EFE/Janos Vajda  …

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17

Nov

Photo Story: Taipei lights up 3D Christmas tree

A 3D Christmas tree shines in Banciao, New Taipei City, Taiwan. The 36-meter tree will be lit up every evening until the end of the year with a 3D projection…

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14

Nov

Photo Story: Nuremberg Christ Child presents her regalia

This week the Nuremberg Christ Child, the 17-year-old Benigna Munsi, appeared in her regalia dressed in a crown, wig and wings as the Christ child at the Nuremberg state theatre,…

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06

Nov

Photo Story Christmas tree set for Frankfurt Christmas Market

Workers start to put light decorations at a tall Christmas tree at the Christmas market in front of the town hall Roemer in the historic city center in Frankfurt am…

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02

Nov

Photo Story: Hamleys gears up for Christmas

With a little less than a month left for Christmas, Hamleys in London has unveiled its Christmas themed shop windows in in its famous location at 188-196 Regent Street, in…

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25

Dec

Pope Francis wishes for fraternity among individuals, regardless of nation, culture, ideology, or religion in ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message and blessing

Pope Francis’ revealed his “wish for a happy Christmas” as a “wish for fraternity” during his Christmas Urbi et Orbi message. To those physically present in St Peter’s Square and…

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25

Dec

Trump raises doubts on Santa Claus existence to seven-year-old

Fielding a phone call from a seven-year-old on Monday, US President Donald Trump put himself on Santa Claus's naughty list by raising doubts about his existence. The call to American…

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25

Dec

Christmas should make us reflect on meaning of life – Pope Francis

Pope Francis has called on people in developed countries to live a simpler and less materialistic life. He also condemned the huge divide between the world's rich and poor, saying Jesus's…

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21

Dec

Austria celebrates 200 years since the first performance of Silent Night

Austria has something special to celebrate this festive period as it marks 200 years since the first performance of one of the world’s most beloved Christmas carols, “Silent Night". Celebrations…

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08

Dec

Qantas criticised for asking airline staff to volunteer time at airport

Qantas has faced heavy criticism after the airline sent an email to staff asking them to volunteer time at the airport during its busiest period over Christmas. The Australian Services Union…

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08

Dec

Signs and symbols in Christmas traditions help us contemplate mystery of God made man – Pope Francis

As the Vatican illuminated its 65-foot Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square Friday, Pope Francis shared the deeper meaning found in the traditional festive spruce. The signs and symbols found…

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02

Dec

Christmas Tree lit in Betlehem

Thousands of faithful and dignitaries have attended the lighting of the giant Christmas tree outside the Church of the Nativity in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. ABC reports that Palestinian Prime Minister Rami…

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25

Nov

34 years of ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas?’

Thirty-four years ago, on Nov. 25, 1984, new wave’s elite came together to record “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” a now-legendary holiday benefit single for Ethiopian famine relief. Most people…

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