It's Almost Christmas!!!!

Published 1st Dec 2015

So then, who's ready for Christmas? We certainly are!

We've had Brian Moore do our news lights switch on!

But that's us in Newcastle - you ever wondered what it's like abroad?

With Christmas just a few short weeks away, the world is busy preparing for the major festivities to begin. With social media allowing us to spread our version of Christmas cheer to friends across the globe, Photobox has created a digital gallery that shares the best festive images from around the world.

Pulling images taken across thirteen major cities from Christmas last year, and combining them with interesting facts, Photobox’s snapshot of Christmas around the world is a great tool for investigating how the rest of the world celebrates this very special time of year.

For example, did you know…

Rome: The Italian capital prides itself as being the city where the celebration of Christmas began. The first Mass and the earliest nativity took place here in 1300

Sydney: Children of Sydney believe that when Santa arrives in Australia, he gives the reindeer a rest and uses kangaroos. He also changes into cooler clothes

LA: The Hollywood parade is longest standing Christmas tradition in LA. Santa, floats and marching bands travel down Hollywood Boulevard and people watch from the streets

Rio: Friends pick each other's names secretly and talk with that person under a secret name throughout December. At Christmas, the truth is revealed and gifts are given

Cape Town: Turning on the Christmas lights at Adderly Street is South Africa's biggest free open-air event. 80,000 people gather to see the mayor flick the switch

You can see how these major cities and many more look during the Christmas period by checking out the interactive piece here -