Last Saturday, a concert and fireworks marked the inaugural lighting of this year's floating Christmas tree at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Rio de Janeiro.
The 85-meter-tall tree weighs 542 tons and has over 3 million lights. Considered the world's largest floating Christmas tree - a Guinness Book record - it has been sponsored since its first year (1996) by Bradesco Seguros, with support from the City of Rio de Janeiro administration. The lighting celebration is third only to Carnival and New Year's Eve among Rio events.
Designed by Abel Gomes (P&G Cenografia), this year's tree is called "All the Christmases in the World" and inspired in the year's four seasons. It has a lacy base as one of its innovative features.
Though the fireworks were an inauguration night special, the tree is still a wonder you can enjoy nightly through the holiday season.
Christmas Tree at Lagoa: Lighting Hours
Sun to Thur 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Fri and Sat 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Photo by Felipe Varanda courtesy of Bradesco Seguros. View full-size
