Just like London, with its huge Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, Brazil’s largest city has one of its own.
On 26 November, hundreds of onlookers were at the Ibirapuera Park to see the annual inauguration of the city’s famous Christmas tree, in São Paulo’s south zone. Members of the public waited patiently for Father Christmas to arrive and switch on the tree’s lights, in a ceremony complete with fireworks and artificial snow – right in the middle of the sweltering Brazilian spring!
Now into its 15th year, the Christmas tree, on display in the Aldo Chioratto Square – in front of the Ibirapuera park, next to gate 10 – is 35 metres tall, with a diameter of 16 metres (1 metre more than last year’s tree) – as well as an 8-metre-tall star on the top.
Thanks to the support of the city council and private sponsors, the tree also has a range of family-friendly attractions at its base, such as a giant snowball – where visitors can take pictures, and some full-on Christmas-themed decorations.
Over the coming weeks, thousands of people are expected to visit the tree, open from 6-11pm at weekends. On Christmas eve and Christmas Day, opening hours will be from 10am to 4pm.
With all its magic and tradition, the tree is an eternal symbol of Christmas which enchants and unites families from all over the world.
