As a mom of six, Christmas used to feel like a pressure cooker. Every year, I tried to create the "perfect" holiday - the ideal gifts, the matching pajamas, the Instagram-worthy stockings. I spent December weekends navigating store aisles, scrolling for deals, or stressing that I wasn't doing enough. By the time Christmas morning finally came, I was exhausted, financially stretched, and secretly relieved when it was all over.
No matter what region of the country you live in, you'll find a super cool Yule installation to love on our list. Some bring the Christmas cheer to horticultural attractions, like Brookgreen and Longwood Gardens, others set big cities ablaze in millions of walk-through or drive-through lights (including Austin and Las Vegas). And of course, there are plenty of charming small towns that go all out with seasonal displays (hellllooo Leavenworth, Washington).
This year Santa will arrive to officially commence the festivities on Friday, November 21, at 5.30pm, with the switching on of more than 100,000 Christmas lights across the city streets. The first Winterval Illuminates, a spectacular light show, will then commence in a new ancient location, at the Irish Silver Museum on Cathedral Square, followed by a new, show-stopping, free drone show on Saturday, November 22.
This condition from Kent county council may result in the installation of the Christmas lights being unable to proceed as planned for 2025. Despite this, the parish council will still be liable for the hire cost, as the arrangements were in place before the permit was issued. It said it would be disappointing if the lights could not be installed but unfortunately this situation is beyond the parish council's control.
You'd be forgiven for thinking the Magic Wand Christmas Light Controller, which retails for $30 at Target, was a holiday-themed children's toy. You wave the wand, and it lights up! Fun! And yes, that is indeed what happens when you wave this wand, but it also has the power to illuminate other lights in your home. You can see this neat little tool in action in a TikTok video: Simply wave the wand with a flourish, and your tree, or whatever festive lights, will light up.
For 2025, the landmark's Christmas illuminations will be inspired by paintings by Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, a Colombian-born amateur artist and a member of the Shard's housekeeping team. The 65-year-old amateur painter has worked at the Shard for eight years, but in his spare time creates vibrant abstract impressionist paintings, depicting everything from horses, to still life to abstract shapes.
Kew Gardens' legendary Christmas lights will return in 2025, featuring eight new displays including festive illuminations at the iconic Great Pagoda for the first time.
