World’s tallest Christmas tree lights up again in IJsselstein

The “World’s Tallest Christmas Tree,” a 366.8-meter-tall illuminated Gerbrandy Tower in IJsselstein, was lit for the 26th time on Saturday evening, marking the return of a celebrated Dutch holiday tradition. Despite challenging weather conditions, including snow, rain, and strong winds, the preparations were completed on time, and the tower’s 120 LED lights now shine brightly across the region.

The event, attended by local residents and dignitaries, featured a ceremonial lighting led by IJsselstein’s Mayor Patrick van Domburg and the chair of the foundation responsible for the annual display. Though the accompanying Christmas market in the city center was canceled due to the weather, the lighting ceremony continued as planned, spreading festive cheer.

The tower, officially a radio and television transmission mast, is fitted with 120 energy-efficient Osram HQL LED lamps mounted on cables stretching four kilometers long. The lights are attached at heights of approximately 125, 200, 265, and 325 meters. On the ground, the lighting cables are secured to existing guy-wire blocks, ensuring the structural stability of the display.

The LED lamps, introduced to replace the less efficient halogen bulbs used in previous years, represent a push for sustainability. “The switch to LED has significantly reduced energy consumption,” said a spokesperson for the foundation. However, the lighting effort comes with significant costs. “Installing the lights alone costs 55,000 euros, with an additional 800 euros in energy costs,” the spokesperson noted. The project is supported by 2,000 donors and sponsorships from local businesses.

The Christmas tree’s lights are visible from up to 50 kilometers away, weather permitting, with sightings reported as far as Rotterdam’s Brienenoord Bridge. Despite its fame, the lighting tradition has faced interruptions over the years due to financial and technical challenges. Since its debut in 1992, the tree has been lit 26 times in 32 years, with notable setbacks including maintenance issues and a lightning strike in 2017 that temporarily disabled the system.