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Christmas light displays make the festive season feel all the more magical as cities and towns across the globe light up with Christmas spirit.
New research from ferry and cruise operator DFDS finds Europe’s must-see light displays after analysing TikTok videos and views. The research reveals the 10 most popular Christmas light displays across Europe and the 10 most popular cities to see Christmas illuminations.
Europe’s 10 best cities to see Christmas light displays
| Rank | City | TikTok video views |
| 1 | London, England | 59,100,000 |
| 2 | Barcelona, Spain | 9,000,000 |
| 3 | Paris, France | 7,600,000 |
| 4 | Zurich, Switzerland | 566,100 |
| 5 | Lisbon, Portugal | 292,800 |
| 6 | Budapest, Hungary | 94,531 |
| 7 | Dublin, Ireland | 69,968 |
| 8 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 28,796 |
| 9 | Vienna, Austria | 13,777 |
| 10 | Madrid, Spain | 4,879 |
Looking collectively at a city level, London’s Christmas lights still dominate the charts with over 59 million views on TikTok for associated videos showing off the twinkling city. Barcelona and Paris round off the top three with nine and over seven million views respectively. In fact, two Spanish cities rank in the top 10 as Madrid completes the list.
Europe’s 10 best places to see Christmas light displays
| Rank | Attraction | City/Town | Country | Attraction synopsis | TikTok video views |
| 1 |
Regent Street Christmas lights |
London | England | Known for its annual Christmas light display, London’s famous shopping street creates a magical atmosphere in the city with its flying angels. | 2,300,000 |
| 2 | Christmas in Covent Garden | London | England | The self-proclaimed most festive neighbourhood in London lights up each year at Christmas with exaggerated and iconic displays that are a feast for the eyes. | 1,400,000 |
| 3 | Brussels by Lights | Brussels | Belgium | An annual event since 2013 that decorates the city with bold, imaginative Christmas lights displays and decorations. | 510,200 |
| 4 | Christmas at the Botanics | Edinburgh | Scotland | The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh features a magical botanical-themed light trail. | 195,600 |
| 5 | Oxford Street Christmas lights | London | England | Twinkling Christmas lights and decorations elegantly illuminate one of London’s most iconic shopping streets. | 60,800 |
| 6 | George Square Christmas lights | Glasgow | Scotland | George Square in Glasgow is known for its impressive Christmas lights, featuring a large tree and colourful glowing displays that attract large crowds. | 39,000 |
| 7 | Bahnhofstrasse street/Lucy Christmas lights | Zurich | Switzerland | Bahnhofstrasse’s ‘Lucy’ Christmas lights named after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” dazzle above the luxe shopping street during the festive season. | 27,000 |
| 8 | Carnaby Street Christmas light | London | England | Each year Carnaby Street dresses the shopping district with a fun, colourful and elaborate display. Enjoy the vibrant ‘Carnaby Universe’ this year. | 26,900 |
| 9 | Colmar Christmas lights | Colmar | France | Colmar is a picture-perfect fairytale town in northeast France boarding Germany. Each year the buildings are dressed to resemble gingerbread houses draped in Christmas lights and impressive decorations. | 26,200 |
| 10 | Christmas at Kew | London | England | Kew Gardens in London hosts a festive light display with illuminated trails, glowing trees, and animated light installations with a botanical theme. | 21,500 |
Regent street, London
9 Nov – 2 Jan
Known for its annual display named ‘The Spirit of Christmas’, Regent Street is illuminated by 50 magical ‘spirits’, or as many call them, angels, over the iconic shopping street. Regent Street actually started the tradition of public Christmas lights across the capital after its first public display in 1954. See the angels in all their glory from 3pm to 11pm while they’re lit up until January 2nd.
Covent Garden, London
7 Nov – 3 Jan
New for 2023, visit the 40 gigantic gold Christmas bells complete with red bows, 12 dangling red baubles and eight mirror balls inside the Covent Garden’s market. That’s not all. Enjoy the glittering market ceiling, numerous illuminated wreaths, Christmas trees, and even hop in Santa’s sleigh for the perfect photo opportunity.
Brussels by Lights, Brussels
22 Nov – 31 Dec
Launched as ‘Shop by Lights’ in 2012, ‘Brussels by Lights’, as it’s now known, dazzles across the city of Brussels from late November. There are 168 shopping streets illuminated by 21km of lights that reflects each neighbourhood’s identity and retailers. Expect oversized glittering light bulbs, giant bauble installations, dangling snowflakes, and multicoloured illuminated paper birds decorated trees.
