10 amazing Christmas lights display around the world to get in the festive mood

It's officially the festive season, and what better place to get into the Christmas mood than a festive lights display?

We're not just talking a few extra bulbs on your Christmas tree - we're talking entire gardens and neighbourhoods covered in dazzling and enchanting displays that look like something out of a storybook.

There are some places which really go all out for the festive season - for example, Dyker Heights in New York where the entire neighbourhood decks out their homes, or London's Kew gardens with plenty of surprises for visitors.

We've rounded up some of the world's prettiest Christmas lights displays below - so stick on your favourite Christmas song as we spread some festive cheer...

1. Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, USA

We all know neighbours can get a little competitive when it comes to their Christmas lights displays, but in Dyker Heights the whole neighbourhood bands together to create a pretty spectacular offering for locals and guests.

Houses are covered in lights, blow-up Santa dolls, giant reindeer, tinsel and candy canes - think of a Christmas decoration and it's likely to feature. Spectacular.

2. Kew Gardens, London

The annual Christmas at Kew trail never fails to be a hit with visitors, thanks to its wide array of eye-catching displays.

We're not just talking a few twinkling lights; we're talking show-stopping installations, thrilling laser projections and some fun surprises hidden amidst the plants.

The dazzling arch on the Treetop Walkway is a particular hit with Instagram fans thanks to the changing lights and ethereal effect.

3. Rockefeller Center, New York

The Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center is iconic and has been attracting thousands of visitors and locals alike for decades.

The huge tree is a feast for the eyes, adorned with heaps of colours and eye-catching decorations.

The lighting of the tree is even filmed live so that millions can watch from around the world. (The 2019 ceremony took place on Wednesday 4th December).

4. Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina

The botanical gardens' Night of a Thousand Candles makes for a pretty magical setting thanks to over 2,700 hand-lit candles, alongside twinkling lights which adorn the trees and landscaped gardens.

There's festive music, carol singing and plenty of mulled wine and cider on offer for guests who wander along the trail too, so it all looks very much like something out of a storybook.

5. Shiodome Caretta Illumination, Tokyo

Amidst the skyscrapers sits the Caretta Shiodome shopping mall which turns into a magical festive wonderland every year thanks to its breathtaking lights show.

For 2019-2020 the theme will be Arabian Nights, with live music performances making for quite the evening show.

6. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

Every festive season these picturesque gardens in Copenhagen get decked out with thousands of sparkling lights on the trees, plants and even the colourful carousel.

Grab a mulled wine or tasty snack and walk through taking in all of the festive cheer - there are a couple of Christmas market stalls too if you want to pick up a gift or two!

Oh, and the gardens' Christmas tree makes for a glamorous centrepiece thanks to its beautiful Swarovski crystals for that extra touch of dazzle.

7. Kobe Luminarie, Japan

This annual light festival in Kobe, Japan, makes for a spectacular way to kick off the festive season.

Over 200,000 hand-painted lights feature in a wide array of colours and patterns are arranged to adorn the buildings and streets for about two weeks.

The whole event is believed to attract millions of visitors every year.

8. La Fête des Lumières, Lyon, France

This Festival of Lights delivers with displays that span everything from Christmas trees and light shows to huge installations boasting every colour and pattern you can think of.

Laser shows displays timed to music and heaps more surprises are in store for those who flock to the festival which offers over 40 different installations to check out.

9. Kurfürstendamm, Berlin

Berlin is home to some of Germany’s best Christmas markets so it comes as no surprise that it pulls out all the stops with its decorations.

However, the shopping street of Kurfürstendamm is particularly enchanting thanks to its twinkling lights and quirky installations ranging from nutcrackers to Santa and his reindeer.

10. Luci d'Artista, Salerno, Italy

If you like a Christmas lights display with a difference, then Luci d'Artista in Salerno needs to be on your radar.

Here you'll find heaps of light installations and sculptures - we're talking everything from Christmas trees to foxes, lions and sharks - for a quirky walking trail.