World Prepares for Christmas Events
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
With Christmas only one month ahead, cities around the world are preparing to celebrate the biggest holiday of the year.
New York
New York's Christmas is featured in many movies during this time of year, which means that this holiday is the most romantic and special in the Big Apple.
The colder it gets, the brighter the city becomes with colorful lights and decorations.
One of the representative lighting events is the one at Rockefeller Center.
Since 1933, its outdoor lobby, which is usually used for restaurants in summer, is transformed into an ice skating rink, and the streets around the center are adorned with 3,000 light bulbs.
Decorations at Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue are also well known.
The highlight of the light spectacle takes place on New Year's Eve at Times Square. Along with the countdown for the New Year, the New Year's Time Ball is descended from the top of the New York Times building.
The Time Ball event started in 1907, and will mark its 100th event this year. Waterford Chrystal designed this year's ball, which is expected to be much brighter than previous ones.
The Metropolitan Museum, Grand Central Terminal, Chorus Tree in South Street Seaport, and Little Italy also hold various lighting events and shows.
Singapore
What about jingling bells in summer?
Christmas celebrations will be held in the ``Christmas in the Tropics'' festival through Jan. 2, in Singapore, with Orchard Road and Marina Bay as its main venues.
The Christmas light-up event on Orchard Road is a must-see during the festival. An overpass will be set up above the road, with artificial snow and a laser show. Riding the city tour bus called Hippo Bus will be the best way to enjoy the event. Visitors can get free bus tickets at the tourism information centers at the airport or on Orchard Road.
Various performances will be held during the festival including a musical ``Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'' at Esplanade Theater until Dec. 9, and concerts on Orchard Road from Dec. 15 through 25. A big concert will be held on Christmas day and the road will be car-free.
Shopping malls downtown will extend their operation hours and provide discounts.
British Columbia in Canada
Events and celebrations take place all over the British Columbia Province in Canada during all of December.
On False Creek in Vancouver, more than 80 cruise ships decorated with Christmas lights brighten up the nights. The Carol Ships' Parade of Lights, which started 44 years ago with only one ship, provides a night of joyful carols and dinner from Dec. 1 to 23. Reservations are required.
A skating rink will open at Butchart Garden in Victoria from Dec. 1 through Jan. 6. Professional skaters from the British Columbia's provincial skate club showcase their performance every Saturday. The admission for the ice rink is $5 for adults and $4 for children.
The Christmas Lights Trolley Tour is available in Vancouver from Dec. 8 to 24. The trolley runs from Canada Place, Stanley Park to Vandusen Botanical Garden. The three-hour trolley trip costs $30. A light festival is held at the botanical garden from Dec. 1 through 31.
Disneyland
Disneyland Resort in California will provide various entertainments through Jan. 6. Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle, covered with snow, will offer a white Christmas during the day and a fireworks show called ``Believe in Holiday Magic'' at night.
An 18-meter Christmas tree adorned with 10,000 light bulbs and decorations will be set up on the main street in Disney Land Park and a Christmas Fantasy parade will be held.
Disneyland in Hong Kong will showcase Sparkling Castle Lights and Ice Fantasy, in which musicians perform a symphony under the baton of Mickey Mouse, from Nov. 23 through Jan. 2.
Santa's Workshop will provide a glimpse of what Santa Clause and his elves do while preparing gifts for children.