From Patna to Jammu, India Celebrates Christmas With Much Joy
Christmas celebrations are on in force across the world, with the start of the holiday season only a few days away.
Christmas celebrations are in full swing across the world, with everyone waiting to ring in 2019. Decorations have been up for the past week, with people exchanging gifts and happiness with their loved ones.
The festival is not only one of the most celebrated holidays in some parts of the world, but is also one of the most commercialised – and people and communities across the world have different ways of celebrating.
- The world celebrated Christmas on 25 December, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ
Christmas and New Year is one of the most celebrated weekend around the globe
The Colombia Way!
Celebrations during a show called "Closer to the stars" was held as a part of Christmas events at Bolivar square in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, 16 December, 2018.
Christmas Reaches Zoo Animals in England's Dunstable
Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable, England also witnessed Christmas celebrations with animals playing with the decorations.
It's Santa Everywhere in Lithuania's Vilnius
People in Vilnius dress up as Santa Claus and run down the streets, attracting hundreds of others to take part.
It's an Aqua Christmas in South Korea's Seoul
A person dressed as Santa Claus performed at the Coex Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea on Tuesday, 18 December.
White Christmas in Moscow
Moscow’s streets are filled with lights, trees, snowfall and happy faces.
The Market is Set For Christmas in Kolkata
Even in Kolkata, people are out doing their Christmas shopping. Although Christmas celebrations in India are not as huge as in the US or Europe, the country is not one to hold back when it comes to decorations and feasting.
It's a Starry Sky in Belarus!
People in Minsk, Belarus, walk inside an illuminated giant Christmas ball installed in Octyabrskaya Square. It has been decorated for the end-of-year festivities.
3 Chinese Cities Ban Christmas Decorations
At least three Chinese cities have banned Christmas decorations this year. Churches in another city have been warned to keep minors away from Christmas, and at least ten schools nationwide have curtailed Christmas on campus.
Christmas in Cyprus
The moon is seen behind a decoration with an illuminated Christmas ornament by the sea in the southern coastal city of Larnaca, in the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus on 23 December 2018.
Birthplace of Jesus Christ Lit up with Candles
Christian worshippers light candles at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on 23 Dec 2018.
Sailing Their Way To Christmas
People wearing Santa Claus costumes sail past the Rialto bridge on Venice's Grand Canal aboard traditional Venetians boats in Italy on 23 December 2018.
The Malaysia Way!
A man dressed as Santa Claus gives candy to a Muslim girl on Christmas eve at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Shopping malls in Malaysia have been decorated with Christmas trees, Santa Claus figures and illuminations to attract year-end shoppers.
Pakistanis Attend The Candle Light Carol Service
Christian children sing a song at Saint Patrick church ahead of the Christmas celebrations in Karachi, Pakistan.
Floodlight Illuminates The Cathedral of Pecs
The bell towers of the Cathedral of Pecs are illuminated with decorative floodlight for Christmas in Pecs, 196 kms south of Budapest, Hungary, on the fourth Sunday of Advent on 23 December 2018.
It's Santas All Around in South Korea
Volunteers clad in Santa Claus costumes perform as they gather to deliver gifts for the poor in downtown Seoul, South Korea on 24 December 2018.
People Dress Up As Christmas Characters in Hong Kong
Promoters dressed as Christmas characters perform at a shopping mall as the territory prepares to celebrate the Christmas holidays, in Hong Kong on 24 December 2018.
Christmas Celebration at Midnight Across India
People gathered in numbers to attend the midnight mass in various churches across India.
Christmas Celebrations at Xishiku Catholic Church in Beijing, China
Irish Band U2 Performs in Ireland on Christmas
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Track Santa for Kids
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump took calls from children anxious to find out where Santa is on his gift-giving journey.
In one conversation, Trump asked a 7-year-old named Coleman, “Are you still a believer in Santa?” He listened for a moment before adding, “Because at 7, it’s marginal, right?” Trump listened again and chuckled before saying, “Well, you just enjoy yourself.” Mrs Trump told a caller that Santa was in the Sahara. Several minutes later, she reported that Santa was far away in Morocco but would be at the caller’s home on Christmas morning.
Mrs Trump later tweeted that helping children track Santa “is becoming one of my favourite traditions!” The NORAD Tracks Santa program became a Christmas Eve tradition after a child mistakenly called the forerunner to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in 1955 and asked to speak to Santa.
Bollywood Stars Tweet Out Christmas Cheer
Various Bollywood stars like Ranveer Singh, Kajol, Ayushmann Khurrana and Sunny Leone have taken to social media to share festive greetings with friends and fans.
"I am All Alone (Poor Me)": Trump Tweets on Christmas
Tweeting from the White House, US President Donald Trump claimed that he is all alone and "waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security."
He followed that up with a tweet claiming that he "just gave out a 115 mile long contract for another large section of the Wall in Texas."
"Billions of dollars and lives wll be saved," asserted Trump.
Christmas Celebration in Jammu
Christmas in Patna
Christmas in Bhopal
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)