VIENNA (AP) - A flip of the switch, some oohs and ahhs from a crowd of onlookers, and a giant decorated Christmas tree went up in lights on Vienna's town hall square as the Yuletide season got rolling in Austria's capital on Saturday evening.
Lighting of Vienna town hall Christmas tree marks start of Yuletide season in Austrian capital
VIENNA (AP) - A flip of the switch, some oohs and ahhs from a crowd of onlookers, and a giant decorated Christmas tree went up in lights on Vienna's town hall square as the Yuletide season got rolling in Austria's capital on Saturday evening.
Mulled wine was poured, frosted gingerbread cookies dangled from the roofs of vendors' stalls, kiddies rode a carousel and a brass band tooted out Johann Strauss II's "The Blue Danube" waltz as the holiday merriment set in.
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig joined the ceremonial illumination of the 30-meter (about 100-foot) spruce that bedecked the square in front of town hall, which also was bathed in light.
This year Vienna upped the ante by decorating the tree with 2,000 LED lights and 1,000 Christmas baubles at the market, which drew 3.3 million visitors last year.