Brussels-based travel organization European Best Destinations recently named The Most Beautiful Christmas Trees in Europe, with Lithuania’s Vilnius tree being declared as the continent’s most attractive.
More than 14,000 travellers from 82 countries voted to select a city in Europe where the most beautiful Christmas tree is expected to be found this year.
Christmas in Vilnius is heralded each year by the raising of an innovative and durable metallic structure lit by 70,000 bulbs. The tree shines brightly over the city’s Cathedral Square, watched over by the historic Gediminas Castle Tower.
‘Not a single tree was cut down to build Lithuania’s most beautiful Christmas tree. The 27-metre tall metal construction, which is made up of some 6,000 branches and over five kilometres of lighting, is definitely a sight to behold,’ European Best Destinations said in a statement.
The construction, which is presently being erected in Vilnius Cathedral Square is specially designed to create a completely sustainable Christmas tree. All the actual tree branches used in the construction come from trees that foresters have needed to clear while carrying out general maintenance of forests.
The Vilnius Christmas tree in 2018. Photo credit: Saulius Ziura.
As the festive season approaches, Europe’s cities compete to draw visitors with dazzling trees and welcoming markets, showcasing seasonal customs with a local flavour. The designs of the Christmas trees are usually kept secret until the very last moment, and the competition gets increasingly tighter each year.
In 2018 the Christmas tree in Vilnius displayed gleaming cogwheels and pulsating snowflakes, however, the decorations change each year to surprise spectators.
Here are Europe’s top 5 Christmas trees:
1. Vilnius, Lithuania
Christmas tree lighting: November 30th, 2019
Holiday Market Open: November 30th, 2019 – January 7th, 2020
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⠀ Christmas Market in Vilnius, Lithuania ⠀ Festive lights, a magical Christmas tree, New Year’s performances, delicious Lithuanian specialties – all this you’ll find at festive Vilnius fairs. ⠀ A Christmas tree at the Cathedral Square has been gathering crowds of tourists for several years. Last year, the European tourist portal Europe Best Destinations called the Vilnius Christmas tree the most beautiful in Europe, and the US travel portal Conde Nast Travaller included it in the list of the 15 most beautiful ones in the world. This year, the atmosphere of the Christmas fair is no less charming. ⠀ Holidays will last until January 6 Location: Cathedral Square (Katedros aikštė) in the center of Vilnius, Lithuania ⠀ — ⠀ Рождественский рынок и ёлка в Вильнюсе, Литва ⠀ Праздничные огни, волшебная рождественская ёлка, новогодние представления, вкусные литовские сладости… Все это на праздничных столичных ярмарках. ⠀ Рождественская елка на Кафедральной площади уже несколько лет собирает вокруг толпы туристов. В прошлом году Европейский туристический портал «Europe Best Destinations» назвал вильнюсскую рождественскую елку самой красивой в Европе, а туристический портал США «Conde Nast Travaller» включил её в список 15 самых красивых в мире. В этом году атмосфера центральной ярмарки не уступает прошлогодним. ⠀ Праздники продлятся до 6 января Место: Кафедральная площадь (Katedros aikštė) в центре Вильнюса, Литва ⠀ Photo: Saulius Ziura, @gintariukaz, @moommymamagintariukazs, @brigeboo ⠀ #visitbalticsnet #visitbaltics #visitlithuania #lithuaniaVB #balticstates #прибалтика #литва #рождественскаяелка #вильнюсрождество #рождествоввильнюсе #вильнюс #вильнюсратуша #wheretogoinvilnius #vilnius #vilniuschristmastree #vilniuschristmasmarket #christmastree
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2. Prague, Czech Republic
Christmas tree lighting: November 30th, 2019
Holiday Market open: November 30th, 2019 to January 6th, 2020
3. Strasbourg, France
Christmas tree lighting: November 22nd
Holiday Market open: November 22nd to December 30th, 2019
4. Cologne, Germany
Christmas tree lighting: November 25th
Holiday Market open: November 25th to December 23rd, 2019
5. Kyiv, Ukraine
Christmas tree lighting: December 19th, 2019
Holiday Market: December 19th, 2019 to January 13th, 2020
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