Twinkling lights and sparkling trees: Festive cheer sweeps across US ahead of Christmas

Across the United States, Christmas light displays, ranging from small community traditions to grand, professionally programmed spectacles, bring joy, unity, and festive cheer to neighborhoods and cities during the holiday season. (Photo: AP)

Christmas in New York is magical, with the iconic Rockefeller Center Tree, festive holiday markets, and ice skating. The city is adorned with giant ornaments, holiday lights, and colorful displays, including the Empire State Building’s red and green lights. Families gather in Central Park for caroling, and inflatable Santas and reindeers fill Brooklyn and beyond. Santa’s arrival marks the start of the season, making Christmas in NYC truly unforgettable. (Photo: AP)

Kennesaw, Georgia, joined Atlanta in celebrating the Christmas season with a variety of festive events and activities.

The city saw festive highlights such as Richard Taylor’s Lights of Joy, which features over a million lights and is claimed to attract thousands of visitors each year. (Photo: AP)

Christmas cheer was evident in Oklahoma as on family in Edmond created a dramatic holiday light display themed around the movie Wicked, complete with synchronized music, spotlights, and a singing witch, attracting crowds while also raising donations for the Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police. (AP photo)​

Las Vegas is also rejoicing in the Christmas cheer as holiday light-up display could be seen, featuring festive lights.

Meanwhile, in spirit of spreading joy during festive season, the Walters and Lenny Standish’s holiday light show in Vegas combined festive lights and snow machines with a charity drive, collecting socks and underwear for homeless organizations. (Photo: AP)

In Santa Clarita, California, the residents of Wakefield Court have been coordinating their holiday light displays for 30 years, starting as a way to bring joy to the community after an earthquake, featuring inflatable figures and wooden cutouts of beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Homer Simpson. (Photo: AP)

In Mesa, Arizona, the holiday season came alive with vibrant displays of Christmas lights and decorations, bringing festive cheer to the neighborhood. Homes were adorned with creative decorations, including a standout Star Wars-themed Christmas scene. One cul-de-sac stood where 14 homeowners came together for 30 years to create an extravagant holiday light display. (Photo: AP)

Towers outlined with Christmas lights were seen silhouetted against the sky at dusk, creating a festive scene in Kansas during the holiday season. (Photo: AP)