Is this China's coolest town? Winter festival creates city made entirely from snow and ice

By GARETH FINIGHAN


How did they do that? This impressive skyline was made from blocks of ice measuring up to three feet wide

If Santa fancies taking a breather after his gift-giving jaunt around the world tonight, there's one spot on the planet where he'll feel right at home.
For the town of Harbin in northeast China has created an entire city carved out of ice and snow.
The 28th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which opens on January 5, features work by some of the best ice sculptors and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

Winter fun: As well as sculptures, the festival also features a range of ice-based rides

Slippery slope: Visitors are dwarfed by the giant ice architecture

Spread out across three zones, the theme park features a range of snow-based rides, ice mountains and reproductions of some of the most iconic buildings in the world - all carved from giant blocks of ice and snow.
The town, located near the border with Russia, experiences dry but freezing winters and has an abundance of ice on tap from the nearby Songhau River.
Winter activities at the festival include Yabuli Alpine Skiing, winter-swimming and the ice-lantern exhibition in Zhaolin Garden.

Taking the scenic route: Rows of ice pagodas line one of the park's central roads

Cool reception: Craftsmen have reproduced some of the world's most recognisable buildings

Grand entrance: This giant ice archway is an impressive entrance to the city

source: dailymail

Obama, the Christmas crooner! Barack sings with Santa and Michelle duets with Kermit, as hundreds join First Family to light up the National Tree

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



Carolling: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia sing along with Carson Daly and Kermit the Frog during the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse today



President Barack Obama got into the holiday spirit today as the First Family lit up the new National Christmas Tree just south of the White House.

Taking the stage next to Santa Claus and Kermit the Frog, the president, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters Sasha and Malia officially marked the start of the Christmas season with some carolling before they flipped the switch.

The 26ft Colorado blue spruce was planted in March on the Ellipse, a park that lies between the White House and the National Mall.



Magical: The 2011 National Christmas Tree lights the sky just south of the White House, as hundreds gather to watch the ceremony



Strong winds in February toppled the previous tree, which stood in the park since 1978.

In remarks delivered during the tree-lighting ceremony, attended by hundreds, President Obama briefly retold the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and linked the religious leader to his own faith.



Celebration: Mr Obama's mother-in-law Marian Robinson, singers Rodney Atkins, Ellie Goulding, his daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, Frist Lady Michelle Obama, Kermit the Frog, and Carson Daly kept the crowd going



'And He grew up to become a leader with a servant's heart who taught us a message as simple as it is powerful: that we should love God, and love our neighbour as ourselves.

'That teaching has come to encircle the globe. It has endured for generations and today it lies at the heart of my Christian faith and that of millions of Americans,' he said.



Little helpers: First Lady Michelle Obama and Kermit the Frog read a book to children during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony



'Twas the Night Before Christmas': Mrs Obama was joined by the Jim Henson muppet for a reading of the Christmas classic



First Family: Mrs Obama sings with daughters Malia (left) and Sasha (centre), and Kermit the Frog, while Mr Obama sings with Santa Claus during the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony



Seasons greetings: Mr Obama greets a crowd with his daughter Sasha (front left) and First Lady Michelle Obama (back left), during the 89th annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree



Mr Obama urged the crowd to be generous and to help others in need during the holidays.

'In this season of hope, let's help those who need it most: the homeless, the hungry, the sick and shut-in,' he said. 'In this season of plenty, let's reach out to those who struggle to find work or provide for their families.'

Mr Obama welcomed troops returning home in time for the holiday, and asked Americans to express their gratitude to service members.

'In this season of generosity, let's give thanks and honour to our troops and our veterans and their families who've sacrificed so much for us,' he said.



Address: Mr Obama urged the crowd to be generous and to help others in need during the holidays. 'In this season of hope, let's help those who need it most: the homeless, the hungry, the sick and shut-in,' he said.



Bundled up: President Obama, the First Lady, daughters Malia and Sasha (obscured) and mother-in-law Marian Robinson (far left) arrive for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree



Together: President Obama and the First Family wave to the hundred-strong crowd at the Ellipse



Entertainment: Jersey Boys perform during the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony

Mr Obama was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Michelle; daughters Sasha and Malia; and mother-in-law Marian Robinson.



Before the ladies hit the switch, Mr Obama said: 'This is the new tree. I know it's not quite as big as the old tree. But it's going to take time to grow. But we're going to fill it up with some spirit and start a new tradition right now.'

The First Lady also took the stage to read Clement Clarke Moore's poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' with Muppet star Kermit the Frog and Santa Claus, as children gathered around.



Big smiles: Mr Obama laughs as he enjoys the show with daughters Sasha (left) and Malia (right)



Making memories: Mr Obama and his daughters Malia (left) and Sasha (right) laugh together during the ceremony



So much to see: President Obama and his daughters Sasha (left) and Malia (right) look at the program during the lighting of the National Christmas Tree



The lighting ceremony, hosted by television's Carson Daly, included performances of Christmas carols and tunes by pop group Big Time Rush, English singer Ellie Goulding, pop band OneRepublic, country singer Rodney Atkins, soul songstress Marsha Ambrosius and the Airmen of Note, a jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force.

The new National Christmas Tree was planted in March in a New Jersey nursery.

The ceremony marks the 89th holiday tree lighting.

The tradition began with President Calvin Coolidge in 1923.











source: dailymail

Rocking around the Christmas tree: How entertainer's garden light display flashes in time to his radio show (and Santa conducts the music)

By REBECCA SEALES



Completely crackers! Paul Toole from Wells, Somerset decorates his bungalow with 50,000 Christmas lights



A Christmas-crazy entertainer has transformed his bungalow into a winter wonderland with 50,000 fairy lights - which flash in time to his own radio station.

Paul Toole, 36, started with two strings of lights in 1998 and since then has spent £20,000 on illuminations.

Mr Toole spends all year planning his incredible display - which boasts a ferris wheel, polar bears, a waterfall and a quarter of a mile of fake snow.



Lights... action: Mr Toole puts the finishing touches to his display, which he began putting up on October 24



Visitors to his cul-de-sac in Wells, Somerset, are invited to tune their car radios to 89.2FM, which belts out 11 festive tunes on a loop.

His lights flash in time with the music while a Father Christmas figure in his garden appears to 'conduct' the tune.

Celebrities John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, and American singer Judy Pancoast visited the close for the big switch-on yesterday.



Magical: The display boasts penguins, polar bears, a ferris wheel and 400 metres of fake snow



Dashing through the snow: A horse and sleigh in the garden in Wells, Somerset. Mr Toole, 36, has spent £20,000 on illuminations since 1998



More than 1,000 people turned out for the switch-on,held in aid of the Make a Wish foundation, and were each given a mince pie from a local bakery. A team from Starbucks also handed out free drinks.

Mr Toole has spent a staggering 264 hours synching his lights to his radio station and the Father Christmas figure - as one minute of music takes eight hours to sequence.



The House on Christmas Street: Visitors flock to see the display, which will be on show from 1 December to 5 January



He returned home with just two sets of lights and put them on his mother's bungalow. The lights stopped working a few years later and he began stocking up on UK-made decorations.

His collection now includes a flashing ferris wheel, an illuminated waterfall, a 20ft Christmas tree, reindeer, penguins and polar bears.

A donation wishing well is left at the front of the display - which attracts up to 100 cars a night.

Mr Toole's radio station is broadcast from a transmitter a few hundred yards from his home between 5pm and 9.30pm from December 1 until January 5.



source: dailymail