Festive season comes to Tbilisi with Christmas tree and lighting decorations

A young visitor of celebrations on First Republic Square in the capital photographed with a Georgian national version of Santa Claus. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Festive lighting decorations were installed over and through streets of the capital to mark the season. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

As usual, the major decorations for the festivities were set up on Rustaveli Avenue. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The central Christmas tree in Tbilisi was unveiled on First Republic Square on Saturday. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

This year's Christmas tree features colourful lighting on darker backdrop. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Children pose for photographs with Christmas characters in costumes. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A view on the Christmas tree and lighting on First Republic Square near Rustaveli Avenue. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A view on Christmas Village, set up to be open to celebrating visitors on First Republic Square with a fair. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The Christmas Village will be open to visitors through January 7, the date Orthodox Christian followers celebrate Christmas. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Pedestrians walk on Rustaveli Avenue following the lighting up of decorations. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Lighting selected for festive season in the Georgian capital has evolved in colour and intricacy over the years. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A different selection of decorations can be found on Kostava Street, adjacent to Rustaveli Avenue. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Lighting figures can be seen on a vertical construction around the St George Monument on Freedom Square. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Kostava Street in the downtown, illuminated for passersby. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Late night traffic driving under the newly installed decorations on Kostava Street. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Festive lighting is usually up in Tbilisi through January 14, a "second" New Year's Eve celebrated based on the Julian calendar. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Christmas and New Year's Eve decorations photographed on backdrop of late night sky in Tbilisi. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A streetside decoration of Santa's sleigh and reindeer near Chavchavadze Avenue. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The tree and lighting will decorate the city through mid-January. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The Tbilisi Christmas tree seen through a reflection on First Republic Square. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Lighting elements hung to replicate the shape of Georgia on maps. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A decorative element in the shape of grapevine - in a nod to the role of winemaking as a Georgian national culture - bearing words 'Happy New 2019 Year'. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Tbilisi residents and visitors gather on First Republic Square to celebrate unveiling of the city's principal Christmas tree. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The First Republic Square Christmas tree through the camera lens of a visitor's smartphone. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The celebration also involved musical artists performing for the crowd on the Square that was closed for traffic. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Tbilisi has joined worldwide cities decorated and lit up in festive colours for Christmas and New Year's Eve. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.