What is Christmas in Kigali without Radisson’s tree lighting ceremony?

Every child in Kigali was at the same spot on Friday evening. Or at least it seemed so. The traffic around Kimihurura? It was all heading towards Radisson Blu. In a particularly delightful sign of holiday spirit, the five-star hotel ushered in the festive season with a tree lighting ceremony. Over a thousand people gathered as the huge Christmas tree lit up with thousands of colorful lights, accompanied by countdown cheers from the crowd as night fell. Radisson’s tree lighting ceremony is a special annual treat for the people of Kigali, showcasing outstanding hospitality and community warmth. One Twitter user described the event as “Kigali kids’ Xmas excellence.” Eric Rugamaba, M&E sales manager, explained that “one of the main points was to create a memorable experience that is unique and can’t be gotten anywhere else.” If you wanted to feel the Christmas spirit in Kigali, Radisson Blu had it all set up. The hotel grounds were adorned with Christmas tailored decorations . You could find everything from old-fashioned giant toy reindeer for photos to bouncing castles, huts reminiscent of baby Jesus’ manger, twinkling white and gold miniature trees, gift boxes, colorful swings, tabletop trees with handmade ornaments, candles, and other festive items. To top it off, there was even a child DJ playing back-to-back hits—an unexpected addition that turned out to be pretty awesome. I embraced the holiday magic with the enthusiasm of a child eagerly opening presents on Christmas morning, with wide-eyed excitement and rhythmic head bops to the music. The tree lighting ceremony hit all the right notes: it was large (around 20 meters tall), radiant, stunning, and a hit with the crowd. “I brought my younger siblings here,” shared one attendee, attending the lighting ceremony to lift their spirits. They added, “I can’t find one of my brothers, but he’s probably having a blast at the gaming section. You should check it out; there’s a lot happening there.” But that’s not the end of it. In addition to the dazzling lights — and there were many — the hotel also featured small business exhibitions on the side, embodying another angle to the Christmas spirit. To demonstrate Radisson Blu’s commitment to economic development, they provide space for these 32 small businesses, and they continued to do so throughout the weekend. “This is our way of promoting things made in Rwanda, like clothes, products, coffee, and anything produced locally, to make them more visible,” Rugamba said. He encouraged everyone to “ Dispel the notion that Radisson is exclusively for affluent guests. He went ahead to mention “Our services and accommodations are designed to cater to a diverse range of budgets and preferences, welcoming all guests who seek quality and comfort. Everyone is welcome.”

News

What is Christmas in Kigali without Radisson’s tree lighting ceremony?