December 26th 2024.
As the holiday season approached, people all around the Bay Area and the world were preparing for colorful celebrations of Christmas and Hanukkah. On Wednesday, these celebrations came to life as families and communities gathered to spread joy and cheer.
In his traditional Christmas message, Pope Francis urged people from all nations to find courage and come together during this Holy Year. He called for an end to the conflicts and divisions that are plaguing the world, from the Middle East and Ukraine to Africa and Asia.
Among the Bay Area's elite group of holiday lights enthusiasts, Joseph Leake stands out for his dedication and creativity. Every winter, Leake goes the extra mile to transform his family's property into a dazzling spectacle that attracts visitors from near and far. Leake, who works long hours and double shifts in the Sheriff's Department's DNA and forensics unit, also took on the responsibility of running the famous California Christmas Lights website this year. The website has become a go-to source for people in the Bay Area who want to experience the magic of holiday lights in their own neighborhoods or nearby communities.
For those looking to explore the best holiday lights displays in the area, the California Christmas Lights website is the perfect guide. From the colorful lights at 578 Flagler Street in San Jose to the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York City, there are endless options for a festive winter night outing.
In London, swimmers celebrated Christmas Day by participating in the Peter Pan Cup race at the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park. Meanwhile, tourists in Sydney posed for pictures next to a giant Christmas tree at Bondi Beach. And in the United States, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas joined Rabbi Levi Shemtov and Rabbi Abraham Shemtov to light the National Menorah in celebration of the first night of Hanukkah. The event, sponsored by the American Friends of Lubavitch, coincided with Christmas Day and brought together people of different faiths to celebrate the holiday season.
Back in California, families were also getting into the holiday spirit. In Livermore, Britt Allen and her children Wyatt and Aubree played in the snow at Alex Dourov's Knottingham Circle extravaganza, where a snowing machine was added to the already impressive Christmas display. And in Alameda, visitors were treated to a magical light show at South Shore Center and Thompson Avenue's "Christmas Tree Lane."
From Nepal to Ukraine, people of all backgrounds and cultures were coming together to celebrate Christmas. In Lahore, Pakistan, Christians attended a Christmas Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral Church. In Kathmandu, Nepal, children sang carols and prayed inside a church filled with devotees. And in Kyiv, Ukraine, a man dressed in traditional clothing celebrated Christmas near St. Michael Monastery in the city center.
Even pets were getting in on the holiday fun at Deacon Dave's Christmas display in Livermore, which featured over 900,000 lights and has become a world-famous attraction. As the holiday season continues, people all around the world will continue to spread joy and celebrate with their loved ones.
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