Worldview: Christmas around the globe
For this installment of Worldview: Daily Life, we focus on Christmas celebrations around the world.
From a Brazilian subway car packed with Santa and his elves, to a dizzying slow shutter photo of the big wheel in Paris, to a candlelit rehearsal of St Paul’s Choristers in London, our photographers capture Christmas traditions in everyday life.
Britain Soccer Premier League
Burnley supporters wearing Christmas hats sit in the stands before the English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor Stadium, Burnley, England, Saturday Dec. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Japan Daily Life
People enjoy an annual yearend illumination in Shiodome district in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Maine Daily Life
A man portraying Santa Claus moves between cars while greeting passengers during a Polar Express holiday train ride to the "North Pole" on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Portland, Maine. The Polar Express is the largest annual fundraiser for the railroad's museum. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
California Daily Life
A Christmas tree stands in the lobby area of an apartment building early Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
France Christmas
In this photo taken with a slow shutter speed, the big wheel is illuminated as part of Christmas lights on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Portugal Christmas
Two women dressed as elves entertain people in a Christmas village set up in the medieval castle of Obidos, central Portugal, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Brazil Christmas
Subway commuters take cell phone pictures of performers dressed as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and elves inside a train car in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. This Santa says he'll ride the city's subway trains during December to celebrate the Christmas season. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
APTOPIX Britain Christmas
St Paulís Choristers rehearse in the cathedral in London, Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, preparing for their busiest days of the year. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
APTOPIX Mideast Israel Palestinians Christmas
A man dressed as Santa Claus walks on the wall of the Old City in Jerusalem Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)
France Christmas
Around 250 people dressed in Santa Claus costumes pose for photographers before a parade in the streets of Vallauris, southeastern France, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
Tennessee Daily Life
The capitol is reflected in an ornament on the state Christmas tree Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Spain Christmas
A man who performs for money wearing a Santa Claus outfit eats a sandwich as he takes a break at the Madrid's Christmas market in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
California Daily Life
In this Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014 photo, Christmas lights adorn a tree in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Philippines Christmas
Zoo owner Manny Tangco displays pythons behind an orangutan named "Pacquiao" while giving school children a tour ahead of the next week's Christmas celebration Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 in suburban Malabon city, north of Manila, Philippines. The yearly treat is aimed at encouraging residents to be sensitive to the feelings of animals especially when exploding firecrackers for the raucous celebration. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Portugal Christmas
A woman dressed as an elf gestures to children waiting to meet Santa Claus in a Christmas village set up in the medieval castle of Obidos, central Portugal, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Netherlands Christmas
A woman makes an arrangement with Christmas decorations in what used to be a shop window in her house in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Brazil Christmas
Carlos Eduardo, 8, reacts after getting a remote control helicopter from Santa, exactly what he had asked for in a letter he wrote to Santa and put in the mail, at his school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. Eduardo said he asked Santa because he knew his parents couldn't afford one. Brazil's postal service organized a visit from Santa as part of their campaign to respond to letters from children addressed to Santa that they find in the mail. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
APTOPIX Philippines Christmas
A Filipino boy walks past Christmas decorations for sale in Manila, Philippines on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. Christmas is one of the most important holidays in this predominantly Roman Catholic nation. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
China Daily Life
A man uses a smartphone to take pictures of light installation at a shopping mall for the Christmas season in Beijing, China Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Brazil Christmas
A man dressed as Santa Claus descends the Sugar Loaf mountain on a zip line after riding atop the cable car in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
Spain Christmas
Women wearing Christmas hats check pictures after taking a selfie at Madrid's Christmas market in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Cyprus Christmas
A migrant in the Santa Claus costume sells balloons at Ledra, a main shopping street of capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, during the Christmas celebrations. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Bolivia Christmas
An Aymara indigenous woman carries her pet to a Christmas costume contest for dogs in El Alto, Bolivia, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. About 50 dogs participated in the event organized by zoonosis. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Monaco Christmas Tree Party
A man dressed as Santa Claus looks at Monaco Chief of staff Luc Fringant, left, and an unidentified Monaco's military officer during the traditional Christmas tree viewing and present receiving session at Monaco palace, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. This event takes place every years ahead of Christmas. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
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