Luxembourg City, often thought of as calm and orderly, comes alive in December with festive cheer and twinkling lights that warm the winter air. The annual Winterlights Festival turns the capital into a glowing celebration spread across the city’s streets and squares, where tastefully decorated Christmas markets and friendly stalls offer local crafts, seasonal foods, and lively holiday spirit without the crowds found in bigger European capitals.  Visitors strolling through markets at Place d’Armes, Place de la Constitution, and Place de Paris will find traditional seasonal treats like Luxembourger specialties, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and Gromperekichelcher potato cakes, all enjoyed with warm drinks by outdoor heaters that add to the cozy atmosphere.  Unlike larger Christmas fairs, Luxembourg’s festive scene is thoughtfully spread out across multiple areas, making it easy to wander between illuminated chalets and enjoy panoramic views of the city without feeling rushed. The free public transport in the capital also helps guests hop between different market zones at their own pace. Beyond food and gifts, the Winterlights Festival includes activities like ice-skating, live music, cultural exhibitions, and light displays that bring families and friends together in a relaxed and joyful celebration of the season.  For those seeking a festive European getaway with charm, tradition, and space to enjoy the season’s simple pleasures, Luxembourg’s Christmas markets offer a magical and welcoming experience that invites visitors to slow down and savor the season.  Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network.

The United Kingdom has agreed to rejoin the European Union’s well-known Erasmus student exchange programme starting in January 2027, a significant step after leaving the scheme following Brexit. Under this new deal, British students will once again be able to study, train or do work placements in EU countries without additional foreign fees, just like before the UK exited the programme in 2020.  The government said the UK will contribute around £570 million for its first year of participation, which has been negotiated at a discount compared with earlier terms. The return to Erasmus is expected to benefit more than 100,000 people, including university students, apprentices, adult learners and educators.  Rejoining the scheme is seen as part of broader efforts by the UK government to strengthen ties with the EU after years of post-Brexit negotiations. Leaders from both sides have described the deal as a positive step for young people and international cooperation in education and training.  Supporters say this move opens up valuable cultural and career-building opportunities for a new generation of UK students, while critics have raised concerns about the cost and whether it represents a step back toward closer EU alignment.  👉 Read more: bbc.com/news/live/c4g654qgl83t?at_link_id=3906B154-DB2E-11F0-B78E-AF17F865F583 Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network.

The Academy Awards — one of Hollywood’s biggest nights — will soon have a new home online instead of on traditional broadcast TV. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has agreed to a multi-year deal with YouTube that gives the platform exclusive global rights to stream the Oscars beginning in 2029 through 2033. This marks a historic shift away from broadcast television after decades on networks like ABC and CBS.  Under the agreement, YouTube will stream the Oscars live and free worldwide, including red-carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Governors Awards, and more. The move aims to reach a broader and more diverse global audience by using YouTube’s huge reach and multilingual features.  ABC, the long-time broadcast partner, will continue airing the Oscars through the 100th ceremony in 2028, but 2029’s Oscars will be exclusively on YouTube. The Academy hopes this change reflects evolving viewing habits and growing demand for online streaming.  YouTube’s CEO said the partnership will help inspire a new generation of film fans while honoring the Oscars’ legacy. Meanwhile, ABC expressed pride in its decades-long relationship with the ceremony.  The shift marks the first time a major award ceremony — between the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Tonys — will fully transition off broadcast TV to an online platform.  👉 Read more: edition.cnn.com/2025/12/17/media/oscars-youtube-academy-awards-abc Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network.

Several online services in Luxembourg were disrupted after LuxTrust, the country’s digital authentication provider, experienced a technical interruption. Users reported being unable to access banking platforms, public administration portals, and other services that depend on LuxTrust verification, causing inconvenience for individuals and businesses alike. According to information shared on LuxTrust’s official support channels, the issue affected authentication and transaction processes across its network. The company confirmed that the problem was technical in nature and that its teams immediately began working to identify and resolve the cause. LuxTrust reassured users that the outage was not linked to a security breach and that personal data remains protected. Despite this assurance, the incident highlighted how essential the platform is for daily digital activities in Luxembourg, as many services rely entirely on its infrastructure. During the downtime, users encountered login failures and transaction errors, preventing them from completing urgent tasks. LuxTrust has stated that restoring normal operations is a priority and updates will be shared as progress is made. Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network.

Luxembourg-based Quintet Private Bank is set for a leadership change with the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. The move signals a strategic transition for the financial group. Thomas Heinzl, currently Chief Financial Officer at Swiss bank Vontobel, has been named as the future CEO of Quintet. He is expected to assume the role in the second quarter of 2026. Heinzl will succeed Chris Allen, who is scheduled to step down at the end of March. The leadership change comes at a time when the bank is focusing on long-term growth and stability. Quintet manages over €100 billion in assets and operates across several European markets. The new appointment aims to strengthen the bank’s position in the competitive private banking sector. Read more – https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com%2C2025%3Anewsml_L8N3XM09K%3A0-vontobel-cfo-heinzl-to-become-ceo-of-luxembourg-based-quintet/ Join the community of your own - #1 homegrown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu  

Luxembourg has reaffirmed its commitment to building a secure, competitive, and sustainable energy supply across Europe. The pledge was made during discussions at a high-level European meeting in Brussels. The country emphasized the need for stronger cross-border cooperation to ensure energy security and reduce dependency risks. Improving energy infrastructure and market integration were highlighted as key priorities. Luxembourg also stressed the importance of accelerating renewable energy development to meet climate goals while keeping energy prices affordable for businesses and households. European leaders discussed simplifying approval processes for energy projects and improving coordination among member states. Luxembourg positioned itself as an active contributor to Europe’s green energy transition. Read more – https://chronicle.lu/category/at-home/58544-luxembourg-commits-to-secure-competitive-sustainable-energy-supply-in-europe Join the community of your own - #1 homegrown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu  

Armenia and Luxembourg have officially strengthened their diplomatic relationship by signing a Strategic Partnership Declaration. The agreement marks a new phase of cooperation between the two nations. The declaration was signed by Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel. It reflects a shared vision for closer political and economic engagement. Both countries aim to expand cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, education, and innovation. The partnership also seeks to promote dialogue on international and regional security issues. The agreement highlights Armenia’s growing engagement with European partners and Luxembourg’s interest in supporting stability and development through diplomacy and collaboration. Read more – caspianpost.com/armenia/armenia-luxembourg-ink-strategic-partnership-declaration Join the community of your own - #1 homegrown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

Global investment firm Ardian has launched a new evergreen infrastructure fund based in Luxembourg, marking an important step in expanding long-term investment opportunities in the region. The fund is designed to provide investors with access to essential infrastructure assets across Europe. The fund has been launched in partnership with iCapital, a global fintech platform that supports access to alternative investments. Through this collaboration, the fund aims to reach a broader range of investors while maintaining a strong institutional-grade investment approach. Ardian stated that the evergreen structure allows for continuous capital inflows and long-term investment flexibility. The fund will focus on key infrastructure sectors such as energy transition, transportation, digital infrastructure, and social assets. Luxembourg was chosen as the fund’s base due to its strong regulatory framework and reputation as a leading hub for investment funds in Europe. The launch further reinforces the country’s position in the global asset management industry. Read more – pulse2.com/ardian-launches-luxembourg-evergreen-infrastructure-fund-with-icapital-partnership Join the community of your own - #1 homegrown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu

Luxembourg continues to gain attention as one of Europe’s safest and most accessible travel destinations. Its visitor-friendly policies and efficient transport system have set it apart from many other European countries. The country’s free nationwide public transport makes travel simple for tourists, reducing costs and encouraging exploration. Buses, trams, and trains connect cities and countryside seamlessly. Safety is another major advantage, with Luxembourg consistently ranking among Europe’s lowest-crime nations. This makes it especially attractive for families and first-time travelers. Despite its small size, Luxembourg offers rich cultural experiences, historical landmarks, and scenic landscapes. Visitors can enjoy museums, medieval towns, and green valleys within short travel distances. With convenience, safety, and quality of life at its core, Luxembourg is quickly becoming a top choice for modern travelers. Read more: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/luxembourg-europes-safest-and-most-accessible-destination/ Join the community of your own - #1 homegrown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu  

Luxembourg is reviewing the SAMP/T NG air defence system developed by MBDA and Thales as part of the European Union’s SAFE defence initiative. The review reflects the country’s focus on strengthening its defence capabilities. The SAMP/T NG system is designed to counter modern aerial threats, including missiles and aircraft, offering advanced protection for European airspace. Luxembourg’s evaluation aligns with broader EU efforts to enhance collective security. Although Luxembourg has a small military force, it plays an active role in European defence cooperation. Participating in advanced defence projects allows the country to contribute to shared security goals. The review process also highlights Luxembourg’s commitment to innovation and modernization within its defence strategy. Cooperation with European defence firms strengthens interoperability among EU member states. This step reinforces Luxembourg’s position as a proactive partner in Europe’s evolving security framework. Read more: https://defensehere.com/luxembourg-reviews-mbda-thales-sampt-ng-air-defence-system-under-eu-safe-programme Join the community of your own - #1 homegrown LuxExpats app SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu