{"id":56616,"date":"2025-12-22T16:23:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T16:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/kigali-s-festive-charm-ahead-of-christmas-and-new-year-2026-photos\/"},"modified":"2025-12-24T11:48:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T11:48:25","slug":"kigali-s-festive-charm-ahead-of-christmas-and-new-year-2026-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/kigali-s-festive-charm-ahead-of-christmas-and-new-year-2026-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Kigali\u2019s festive charm ahead of Christmas and New Year 2026 (Photos)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In Kigali, the festive decorations, from sparkling lights to carefully designed displays, are transforming the urban landscape. This year, the city\u2019s transformation is particularly striking, as both the city center and districts like Kacyiru and Kicukiro have embraced the holiday spirit with open arms. Everywhere you look, there\u2019s a sense of celebration, anticipation, and warmth, welcoming both locals and visitors into the magic of the season.<\/p>\n<p>The Kigali City Administration, recognizing the importance of creating a festive atmosphere, called for contributions from residents and businesses early in October 2025, asking them to join in beautifying the city for the holidays. This effort has resulted in an explosion of lights, decorations, and holiday cheer that has already begun to capture the attention of the public.<\/p>\n<p>IGIHE took a stroll through some of the most beautifully decorated spots in the city, capturing the holiday vibe. As the decorations take shape, Kigali\u2019s streets are bustling with people stopping to take photos, share moments with loved ones, and enjoy the festive environment.<\/p>\n<p>Pacifique Dushimimana, a resident of Kanombe, was found at one of the main roundabouts in downtown Kigali, which had been adorned with stunning decorations. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In the city center, there are so many beautiful spots to take pictures. Being here, with friends and family, feels like the perfect way to end the year,&#8221; he shared, smiling as he took in the holiday scene.<\/p>\n<p>Soline Nizeyimana, a resident of Muhima, also brought her two children to one of the city\u2019s festive hotspots to celebrate the peaceful end of the year. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are finishing the year well, with no sickness, and we\u2019re all in good health. Coming here to enjoy the decorations brings us joy. I brought my children because it\u2019s not just fun for them, but also a great way for them to learn and celebrate,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>At this roundabout, people from all walks of life, including children on their holiday break, were soaking in the holiday spirit. The festive lights and displays were a joy to behold, and the air was filled with the warmth of celebration.<\/p>\n<p>The streets are now filled with even more people, eager to take in the vibrant sights as they prepare for Christmas and New Year 2026. <\/p>\n<p>Curious to explore the city\u2019s vibrancy during this festive season? Take a look at the photos below capturing Kigali\u2019s holiday charm.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99576\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/rond_point_yo_mu_mujyi_rwagati_yahawe_isura_ikurura_benshi_kuza_kuhifotoreza-df70b.jpg\" alt=\"Residents have started preparing for the city\u2019s celebrations as the December holidays approach, with activities already taking place in public spaces.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99575\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/rond_point_y_ahazwi_nko_mu_kanogo_yashyizwemo_agaseke_k_umutako-1c0fc.jpg\" alt=\"By the start of December, preparations to decorate Kigali were already underway.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99574\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/rond_point_iri_imbere_ya_university_of_kigali_ku_kacyiru_yatatswe_mu_buryo_bwihariye-6a993.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99573\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/rond_point_iri_imbere_ya_centenary_house_mu_mujyi_rwagati_iri_mu_zarimbsihijwe_byihariye-03401.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99572\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/nizeyimana_soline_utuye_mu_muhima_mu_mujyi_wa_kigali_yavuze_ko_yahisemo_kuzana_n_abana_be_babiri_kuri_rond-point_mu_rwego_rwo_kwishimira_ko_basoje_umwaka_amahoro-a9515.jpg\" alt=\"Soline Nizeyimana, a resident of Muhima, also brought her two children to one of the city\u2019s festive hotspots to celebrate the peaceful end of the year. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99571\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/muri_car_free_day_mu_mujyi_rwagati_na_ho_hateguriwe_kwakira_iminsi_mikuru-d8b8c.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99570\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/mu_ujyi_ahazwi_nka_car_free_zone_ababyeyi_n_abana_bishimiye_iminsi_mikuru-37113.jpg\" alt=\"People are eagerly preparing for the arrival of 2026.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99569\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/mu_mitako_hagaragaramo_umwaka_mushya_wa_2026-941a3.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99568\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/kuri_rond-point_yo_mu_mujyi_rwagati_urujya_n_uruza_rw_abaza_kuhagorobereza_rwiyongeye-7b0bd.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99567\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/kuri_rond_point_ya_sonatube_hashyizwe_imitako_ibereye_ijisho-e239a.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99566\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/ku_nyubako_ikoreramo_urwego_rw_igihuhu_rw_iterambere_n_uruhade_rwayo_ni_uko_harimbishijwe-905f1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99565\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/kuri_i_m_bank_mu_mujyi_rwagati_ni_hamwe_mu_hatatse_neza-f5374.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99564\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/ku_biro_by_akarere_ka_gasabo_ni_uko_hagaragara-bee08.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99563\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/ku_biro_by_umujyi_wa_kigali_ni_uko_harimbishijwe-c2aef.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99562\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/inyubako_ya_kigli_heights_ku_kacyiru_yashzweho_imitako_igaragara_neza_uyitegeye-32f84.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99561\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/inyubako_z_ikigo_cy_igihugu_cy_ubwiteganyirize_mu_kiyovu_zatatswe_mu_buryo_bukurua_benshi-12010.jpg\" alt=\"RSSB buildings in Kiyovu have been tastefully decorated, attracting plenty of attention.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99560\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/inyubako_ikoreramo_urwego_ngezeramikorere_rura_mu_kiyovu_na_yo_yahawe_isura_inogeye_ijijsho-5fa6e.jpg\" alt=\"RURA has taken the holiday spirit with stunning decorations of its building in Kiyovu.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99559\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/inyubako_izwo_nka_kabc_ku_kakiru_yashyizweho_amatara_y_imitako_mu_kwizihiza_iminsi_mikuru-d5e3f.jpg\" alt=\"The KABC building, formerly known as KBC, is also glowing with decorative lights to celebrate the season.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99558\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/imitako_muri_kigali_igiye_irimo_ibirugu_bya_noheli-54c62.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99557\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/inyubako_ikoreramo_sosiyete_y_ubwishingizi_ya_radiant_ni_gutyo_igaragara-b5ecf.jpg\" alt=\"Radiant Insurance Company\u2019s building is looking festive and inviting during this year\u2019s end-of-year celebrations.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99556\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/imihanda_yo_muri_kigali_na_yo_yashyizweho_amatrara_y_imitako_inogeye_ijisho-ae3bc.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99555\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/imbere_ya_radisson_blu_hotel_na_kigali_convention_centre_harimo_umutako_muremure_umuntu_abasha_kubona_ari_kure-8be7b.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99554\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/imbere_ya_minisiteri_y_imari_n_igenamigambi_naho_harimbishijwe-c2df5.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99553\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/ikicaro_gikuru_cya_banki_ya_kigali_cyashyizweho_imitako_myiza_mu_rwego_rwo_kwifatanya_n_abakiliya_bayo_kwizihiza_iminsi_mikuru-da8ba.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99552\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/dushimimana_pacifique_yavuze_ko_kuba_asoje_umwaka_amahoro_biri_mu_byatumye_aza_kwishimana_n_abandi-d45f7.jpg\" alt=\"Pacifique Dushimimana, a resident of Kanombe, was found at one of the main roundabouts in downtown Kigali, which had been adorned with stunning decorations. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99551\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/i_remera_ni_hamwe_mu_hari_imitako_myiza_ya_noheli_n_ubunani-e19b3.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99550\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/buri_mwaka_hotel_ya_four_points_by_sheraton_irimbishwa_amatara_abengerana-ec97d.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99549\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/banki_y_amajyambere_y_u_rwanda_na_yo_kuyireba_binogeye_ijisho-76f52.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99548\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/amazi_azamuka_hejuru_muri_rond_point_yo_mu_mujyi_ari_mu_bituma_imitako_bahashyize_igaragara_neza-5515c.jpg\" alt=\"The roundabout has become a popular spot for photo opportunities, with an increasing number of visitors.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99547\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/amasangano_ry_imihanda_y_imbere_ya_kigali_convention_centere_yashyizwemo_imitako_y_amako_menshi-b25a3.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99546\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/abafata_amafoto_bafite_akazi_kenshi_ko_gufotorera_abantu_ahashyizwe_imitako_ya_noheli_n_ubunani-ebbf9.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99545\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/abacuruza_iby_abana_na_bo_ntibatanzwe-eab55.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99544\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/6c9a9854-3-607f0.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99543\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/07-054a0091-4cbed.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99542\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/6c9a9738-2-d4bb0.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99541\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/6c9a9706-2-6153e.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the year draws to a close, the festive spirit begins to take over cities around the world, and Kigali is no exception. With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, the city has already begun to sparkle with the vibrant energy of the season. The streets, roundabouts, homes, offices, and even churches are all in preparation for the celebrations ahead, bringing joy to every corner of the city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":2000099522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-56616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"featured_image":{"id":2000099522,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/1_59-7135d.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/1_59-7135d.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/1_59-7135d.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/1_59-7135d.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/1_59-7135d.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/1_59-7135d.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56616"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56616\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000099522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56616"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=56616"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=56616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}