Every year Cariocas (natives of Rio) look forward to lighting the giant Christmas tree that floats on the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

Well, to be fair it’s not technically a tree so much as a huge tree-shaped frame covered in about 3 million electronically-controlled lights. Also there are magnificent colored spotlights at the tree’s base that shoot up into the night sky.

At first sight the tree can indeed be breathtaking. Cariocas are very proud of the tree, and without fail describe it as lindo. It makes for an amazing postcard for sure, and the lighting ceremony is not to be missed, as it is a great way to get into the holiday spirit, and a fitting warm-up for the epic Reveillon display on Copacabana.

Many North-americans find the tree gets a bit old, especially if one spends night after night sitting by the lagoa, or living within sight of the spectacle. It’s a bit Disneyland, but also a great deal of fun; the 2007 tree set a new Guiness World Record for the world’s largest lighted Christmas tree!

Check out this video of the lighting ceremony:

Links: here’s more information about Lagoa, more pictures of the tree, and the YouTube video.