Nothing lifts the spirits during the darkness of winter like a fabulous holiday light show. Around the world, iconic buildings that are architectural marvels by day are transformed by night into eye-catching landmarks that are guaranteed to bring joy during the festive season. Here are five iconic buildings that put on an extra-special show for the holidays.
The Shard – London, England
During the holidays, a seasonal themed light show adds an extra wow factor to London’s tallest building. Constructed in 2009 near London Bridge on the U.K. capital’s South Bank, Renzo Piano’s soaring mixed-use building with a “vertical city” concept revolutionized the city’s skyline. Each year, spanning Advent and the Christmas period, the 1,016-foot skyscraper becomes the canvas for a mesmerizing art installation.
In 2023, talented designers from the London School of Mosaics partnered with the Shard to create colorful, animated displays across the top 20 floors of this London landmark. Three separate animations were featured: The “Shard Snowman” appeared wearing a red scarf before melting away, the “Festive Candle” burned bright against a striking blue background, and during “Festive Pattern,” a green-and-gold pop art-inspired brooch added a touch of Christmas sparkle to the London skyline. The 2024 theme, which launched on November 14, focuses on the nation’s favorite Christmas carols and promises to be just as exciting.
Empire State Building – New York, New York
The top floors of the Empire State Building are famously lit each night to raise awareness about worthy causes or to honor important events. During the holidays, however, the art deco landmark lights up in festive colors to celebrate the season. The Rockettes kick things off in November as the skyscraper turns green and red to honor the long-running group’s first show of the season. For Hanukkah, the displays turn blue and white, while on Thanksgiving, the tower takes on fall hues. And on New Year’s Eve, multicolored sparkling lights set the tone for the Big Apple to see out the old year and welcome the new.
Commemorative lights have been a feature of this New York landmark since the beginning, when then-President Herbert Hoover officially dedicated it on May 1, 1931. Today’s programmable LEDs ramp things up with musical light shows that are far more sophisticated than the building’s original floodlights.
Burj Khalifa – Dubai, U.A.E.
The world’s tallest building certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to seasonal light shows. Dubai’s needlelike, 2,722-foot skyscraper goes all out to put on a memorable spectacle with LED lights that display images and animations of seasonally appropriate artwork, including snowflakes and Christmas trees.
A mind-boggling 17 miles of lights are employed in the skyscraper’s media façade, creating a stunning show that impresses locals and visitors alike. Interestingly, the lights used on the Burj Khalifa today aren’t the original ones — new ones were installed in 2017 with pixel control that allows designers to control each individual light separately.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Milan, Italy
In stylish Milan, this elegant shopping arcade — named after the first king of a united Italy — typically opts for a sophisticated theme for its Christmas lights. At the center of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II stands a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree lit by Swarovski crystals and sparkling lights. Above it, the glass atrium of this 19th-century arcade is accentuated with a canopy of twinkling lights that mimic the stars in the night sky.
In 2023, the Galleria’s tree was sponsored by Gucci, and it broke with tradition. Instead of a classic fir, they installed a tree-shaped pile of 78 gift boxes bearing the luxury clothing brand’s logo. Opinion was divided, with some embracing the uniqueness of the installation and others labeling it a fashion misstep. While officials haven’t officially announced anything as of late November 2024, many expect a return to the traditional tree this year.
Eiffel Tower – Paris, France
Each evening throughout the year, the Eiffel Tower sparkles with around 20,000 LED bulbs. The first illumination of the iconic Parisian building marked the new millennium on New Year’s Eve 1999, and it took a team of 25 steeplejacks five months to install. For five minutes at the top of the hour, from dusk until the early hours of the morning, the glittering spectacle remains a highlight for anyone taking a boat trip or stroll along the Seine.
The light show ramps up for the holidays, when the usual white bulbs are swapped out for a festive palette of red, green, and gold. Holiday-themed projections and animations add to the atmosphere, while a seasonal ice rink — installed 187 feet above the ground — is a popular family-friendly attraction. (Those who manage to stay upright are treated to stellar views of the city laid out beneath them.) Finish off the night with a warming glass of mulled wine as you admire the Eiffel Tower’s holiday light show one last time.
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