Holiday decorations around the world
Thousands of lights decorate Rockefeller Center is pictured in New York City, Dec. 23, 2014.
Here are some images of Christmas decorations and traditions around the world.
Germany
A giant menorah stands in front of a Christmas tree at the Brandenburg gate to celebrate Hanukkah in Berlin, Germany, Dec. 16, 2014.
Scotland
Tian Tian, a giant panda inspects a special Christmas panda cake crafted in the shape of a Christmas tree in the outdoor enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland, Dec. 17, 2014.
Belgium
A light show is projected onto buildings on Brussels' Grand Place as part of Christmas celebrations, Dec. 23, 2014.
Spain
A couple poses for a "selfie" next to a light installation for Christmas celebrations in the Andalusian capital of Seville, southern Spain, Dec. 23, 2014.
Brazil
Vitor Martins puts on his Santa outfit inside his house, before a performance with children in Sao Caetano do Sul's town square, near Sao Paulo, Brazil, Dec. 7, 2014.
Martins has dressed as Santa Claus, working at shopping centers and various events, for fifteen years, and has 94 percent of his body covered in tattoos, with several in reference to Christmas.
England
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron laughs with Ruby and Lennon Palin, aged 3 and 4, at the switch on of the Downing Street Christmas tree lights in London, Dec. 8, 2014.
Germany
Trees illuminated by Christmas lights are pictured on Unter den Linden street near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Dec. 9, 2014.
Colombia
Christmas decorations light up the Medellin river in Medellin, Colombia, Dec. 10, 2014.
Germany
A view shows decorations on a Christmas tree in a house in Hanau, Germany, Dec. 12, 2014.
Japan
A couple sits under a street lamp in a park near Christmas lights in central Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 12, 2014.
Australia
A man dressed as Santa Claus waves as he arrives in an inflatable rescue boat as part of Christmas celebrations for the Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club, at Sydney's Coogee Beach, Dec. 14, 2014.
Bolivia
People look at a mannequin of a mine worker with presents at Murillo Square, where a Christmas tree is also displayed, in La Paz, Bolivia, Dec. 13, 2014.
Russia
A woman takes a picture near a giant Christmas ball, part of New Year and Christmas holiday season decorations, in central Moscow, Dec. 15, 2014.
The 38-foot-tall ball claims a spot in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest Christmas toy in the world, according to local media.
Ukraine
Workers decorate a Christmas tree in front of the St. Sophia Cathedral in central Kiev, Ukraine, Dec. 15, 2014.
France
People stand in the mist as they look at a replica of the casino along the Promenade jetty as part of the Christmas holiday illuminations in Nice, France, Dec. 16, 2014.
Germany
A house and garden is illuminated ahead of Christmas in Olching near Munich, Germany, Dec. 11, 2014.
The house is decorated with more than 30,000 lights. Every year hundreds of houses across Germany are decorated by their owners with lights ahead of Christmas.
Mexico
A boy prepares to hit a pinata during a traditional Mexican Christmas celebration known as "Posada mexicana" at La Merced neighborhood in Mexico City, Dec. 17, 2014.
Posada Mexicana is a pre-Christmas celebration to commemorate the journey of the Holy Family from Galilee to Bethlehem.
California
A man takes a photo outside the Balian Ice Cream House in Altadena, Calif., Dec. 17, 2014.
Singapore
Women take 'selfies' with a Christmas tree outside a mall along Orchard Road in Singapore, Dec. 18, 2014.
Brazil
A man poses for a photo next to a Santa Claus sand sculpture on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dec. 3, 2014.
Chile
Plaster figures of the nativity scene are displayed in a neighborhood of Santiago, Chile, Dec. 11, 2014.
England
People ice skate on the rink at the Natural History Museum in London, England, Dec. 21, 2014.
Hungary
Christmas illuminations light the Budapest Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty square in downtown Budapest, Hungary, Dec. 21, 2014.
India
A woman decorates the exteriors of her house ahead of the Christmas celebrations in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, Dec. 22, 2014.
England
Choristers of St Paul's Cathedral sing Christmas carols inside the Cathedral in central London, Dec. 22, 2014.
Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for the choir who will sing to over 20,000 people over the Christmas period.
China
A couple holding a balloon is silhouetted in front of a light installation for Christmas celebrations in Beijing, China, Dec. 23, 2014.
Lebanon
Men dressed as Santa Claus celebrate in Jiyeh village, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Dec. 23, 2014.
West Bank
People watch Christmas celebrations outside the Church of the Nativity, the site revered by Christians as Jesus' birthplace, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Dec. 24, 2014.
Pakistan
Children play in a street illuminated with lights on Christmas eve in a Christian slum in Islamabad, Pakistan, Dec. 24, 2014.
Lebanon
A Syrian refugee girl holds her Christmas gift from the Alphabet organization in a refugee camp near Bar-Elias in the Bekaa valley of Lebanon, Dec. 24, 2014.
Croatia
A participant holds up a sky lantern to be released during the "Kapulica & Lanterns" event in Zagreb, Croatia, Dec. 22, 2014.
About 3000 participants attended the event, organized by contemporary artist Kresimir Tadija Kapulica as part of the ArtOmat Fair ahead of Christmas, which involved people releasing about a thousand lanterns to symbolize sending their wishes to the universe.
New York
The exterior of the New York Stock Exchange is pictured with a Christmas tree in New York City, Dec. 23, 2014.
China
A believer prays at Xujiahui church during a Christmas eve mass in Shanghai, Dec. 24, 2014.
Christmas is not a traditional festival in China but is growing in popularity, especially in more metropolitan areas where young people go out to celebrate, give gifts and decorate their homes.
Washington, D.C.
Shrouded in mist and scaffolding, the U.S. Capitol looms behind the Capitol Christmas Tree, Dec. 23, 2014 in Washington, D.C.
The white pine, approximately 88-feet tall, is a gift from the state of Minnesota and was harvested from the Chippewea National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota. The tree is decorated with approximately 10,000 handmade ornaments from Minnesota communities as a gift from the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes.