Maybe it’s the warmth of the lights set to the contrast of the cold days of the season. Perhaps Christmas lights out on the streets are just an extension of the tree in our living rooms carefully covering our Christmas presents. Or, for those of us in the design world, maybe they inspire us in our own festive creations of holiday postcards, website ads, or festive brushes. Whatever the reason, we are drawn to the streets and parks and neighborhoods with beautiful displays of Christmas lights.

This collection is a roundup of over-the-top Christmas decorations and beautiful public scenes where communities have fully embraced the Christmas season. Whether you just need a break or are looking for a background for your Christmas designs, sit back and enjoy this celebration of the season.

Old Galway City Street, Kerwan’s Lane by Alexey Zaradov

City Lights by AeroAngel

Christmas in Barcelona 2011 by Saras

Denver City Building Christmas by Frankief

Photo by Patrick on Eleanor Arnason’s Web Log

Rotary Holiday Lights in Wisconsin

Christmas Lights at Seneca Creek State Park by David and Eric Schulzinger

Regent Street Christmas Lights, London from Sister

Christmas at Rockefeller Center, New York City, New York from Travels

Regal Celebration of Lights, Downtown Knoxville

City Light Building Night from Layoutsparks

Other World Wallpapers from SaversPlanet

In Berlin from Benjamin Thomas

Christmas on the Plaza by Janean

The History of Christmas from Shattered Paradigm

Holiday Lights at Opryland from Melinda and Jonathan

Galeries Lafayette Department Store by Reuters/ Charles Platiau

Christmas tree at Marienplatz at night by Rex Temple

Big Big Christmas Tree by Jianglindancestar

Church Lights from The Pink Popcorn

Syracuse Christmas Tree at Clinton Square from Dennis Nett/ The Post-Standard

Christmas Tree Lighting on Green Lake, 1941 from Seattle Municipal Archives

Charleston and Beaufort from S/Y PJotter

Ala Moana Center on Oahu by Derek Paiva

ph.9 – Shiny Christmas Tree by 501Seira

Lights in the Fog by RitterRunkel

Lights Row by Andythesith

Christmas Lights by Buryxmexinxblack

Christmas on Main Street by Arete-Eirene-Phile

Christmas Reflections by Carlos R. Photography

Tara Hornor has a degree in English and has found her niche writing about marketing, advertising, branding, graphic design, and desktop publishing. She writes for PrintPlace.com, an online printing company that offers postcards, posters, brochure printing, postcard printing, and more printed marketing media. In addition to her writing career, Tara also enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.