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Holiday Lights From Around the World

For many of us, lights have been a part of the holiday season since as far back as we can remember. The custom originated in the 18th century when upper-class Germans began decorating Christmas trees. The lighting trend gained steam in the early 1900s, and by the mid-20th century it had become customary to display strings of electric lights as decoration not only on Christmas trees, but outdoors along streets and buildings.

This year, we’ve gathered Instagram photos from some of the best lights displays around the world. To see more photos, be sure to visit the location pages for each of the displays:

• 東京ドームシティ (Tokyo Dome), Tokyo
• Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin
• Galeries Lafayette, Paris
• Rockefeller Plaza, New York City
• Alumbrados Del Rio, Medellin
• Frankfurt German Christmas Market, Birmingham
• Pueblito Paisa, Medellin