The majestic Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree is a London tradition that attracts hundreds of tourists and spectators each year.  The people of Oslo Norway have been giving a Christmas tree to be displayed in London’s Trafalgar Square since 1947 in gratitude and friendship to the British people for their support during World War II.

Trafalgar Square, London photo by Christine Matthews, geography.org.uk

This year the tree was lit on December 1st, and will be lit from noon until midnight every day until the 12th night of Christmas in early January. From Monday December 5th until Thursday December 22, a different choir will be singing around the tree to raise money for various charities.

The tree is always decorated in a traditional Norwegian style and adorned with 500 white lights. It is always huge, at least 20 feet high. At the base of the tree stands a plaque, bearing the words:

This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-45.

A tree has been given annually since 1947.