Catalonia's tallest Christmas tree lights up Badalona

A towering 42.5 meters high and boasting 100,000 LEDs, Catalonia's tallest Christmas tree was lit up on Sunday by Badalona mayor Xavier García Albiol.

The coastal city, just north of Barcelona, paid tribute to all those affected by the flooding in Valencia before the official switch-on ceremony, with the tree lit up in the colors of the Valencian flag while the region's anthem played.

Around 50,000 people came to the event, according to the local council, and were treated to a show of lights, music and dance, which will take place daily until the end of the holiday season. 

"It's a party for everyone and everyone is welcome," Albiol said, noting that the city has become a "reference point" in Spain for celebrating Christmas.

The mayor claimed that Badalona's Christmas tree was in fact the tallest in Spain, a claim also made by the Galician city of Vigo.

"Let it be clear to everyone, we do not need to put a ten-meter star on top of the tree to make it taller," Albiol said. "We have the tallest tree and this is the best city in Catalonia and Spain, with the best Christmas."