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GalleryChristmas trees illuminate US military bases around the world
Stars and Stripes
December 22, 2025
The lit Christmas tree stands at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Dec. 5, 2025. (Bryce Moore/U.S. Air Force)
Military bases around the world are getting into the holiday spirit this month with Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and celebrations.
Service members and their families came out to participate in their base’s festivities and enjoy various holiday activities and games, with some featuring special appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.
Families of the 3rd Infantry Division attend a tree lighting ceremony at Fort Stewart, Ga., Dec. 12, 2025. (Santiago Lepper/U.S. Army)
The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross displays holiday decorations on Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Dec. 18, 2025. (Jonathan Word/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Air Force family and friends gather around the installation Christmas tree during a tree lighting ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, England, Dec. 4, 2025. (Sierra Casteel/U.S. Air Force)
Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) family members attend the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the installation, Dec. 5, 2025. (Quinton A. Lee./U.S. Navy)
A child attends a Christmas Tree lighting event at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 10, 2025. (Robert Nichols/U.S. Air Force)
Naval Base Guam was aglow during the MWR Guam’s annual Tree Lighting Festival on Dec. 6, 2025. (Henry Sohl/U.S. Navy)
Santa Claus parades through Camp Foster during a holiday parade before a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2025. (Kelsey Enlow/U.S. Marine Corps)
Attendees observe a Christmas tree during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2025. (Kelsey Enlow/U.S. Marine Corps)
A Christmas tree is lit during the annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 22, 2025. (Caitlyn Stone/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz celebrated the start of the holiday season with a traditional holiday tree lighting and community event at Baumholder, Germany on Dec. 5, 2025. (Chelseann Smith/U.S. Army)
Thousands of soldiers and families gathered on the Main Post Parade Field at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Dec. 2, 2025. (Jason Ragucci/U.S. Army)
A child observes the Christmas tree during the 2025 Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Mokapu
Mall, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov. 21, 2025. (Dezmond Browning/U.S. Marine Corps)
The Navy Exchange hosts a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony aboard Naval Base San Diego, Dec. 5, 2025. (Timothy Weber/U.S. Navy)
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U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart celebrated its annual tree lighting on Panzer Kaserne in Boeblingen, Germany on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Margarita Cambest/U.S. Army)
Santa Claus sits in his sleigh during the 2025 Christmas Tree Lighting at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Dec. 5, 2025. (Jaden Kidd/U.S. Air Force)
Santa waves to Team Minot as the Christmas tree is lit during the Minot Air Force Base Christmas Tree Lighting at Minot AFB, N.D., Dec. 6, 2025. (Alyssa Bankston/U.S. Air Force)
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Camp Humphreys Downtown Plaza is lit up during the Camp Humphreys Tree Lighting Event on Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Dec. 5, 2025. (Seu Chan/U.S. Army)
U.S. Army soldiers gather during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Swietoszow, Poland, Dec. 5, 2025. (Bernabe Lopez/U.S. Army)
A Christmas tree is lit up and fireworks go off during the Camp Humphreys Christmas Tree Lighting Event on Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Dec. 5, 2025. (Seu Chan/U.S. Army)
U.S. service members and families take photos under the Christmas tree during the Marine Corps Community Services Holiday Fest on MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 22, 2025. (Daniela Chicas Torres/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Robinson, 81st Training Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Ryan Taylor, 81st TRW command chief, participate in a tree lighting ceremony during Holiday in the Bay Breeze Event Center at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Dec. 4, 2025. (Kemberly Groue/U.S. Air Force)
CASCOM/SCOE Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Nicholas Laferte; Fort Lee Garrison Commander, Col. Rich Bendelewski; Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Nickea K. Harris; Commanding General of Fort Lee and Combined Arms Support Command, Brig. Gen. Sean P. Davis and his wife; Commander of the Joint Munitions Command, Brig. Gen. Ronnie D. Anderson Jr. and his wife all stand together with the illuminated Christmas tree at the Grand Illumination Ceremony on Fort Lee, Va., Dec. 4, 2025. (Ericka Gillespie/U.S. Army)
A Christmas tree is lit during the 2025 Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on MCAS New River in Jacksonville, N.C., Dec. 5, 2025. (Hunter T. Brock/U.S. Marine Corps)