Christmas star lanterns, Germany Dec. 20, 2025

As Christmas draws near, star lanterns begin to appear everywhere—twinkling from balconies, shining in shop windows and lighting up market stalls. Their shimmer cuts through the long winter nights, filling streets and homes with joy, colour and a sense of togetherness. But behind these festive decorations lies a story as captivating as their glow.

© artas/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Reflecting on Christmas
Dec. 20, 2023Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy
Dec. 20, 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

A kiss and a sigh
Oct. 26, 2024Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
Dec. 2, 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
Aug. 5, 2024Lavender field, Hertfordshire, England
Jul 20, 2026International Moon Day
Celebrating our looming lunar neighbour
The other continent down under
May 10, 2026Happy Mothers Day!
Aug. 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA
Feb. 13, 2025Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
May 30, 2025Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
Aug. 5, 2025Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
Jul. 28, 2024Colourful bathing huts on the beach in Skåne County, Sweden
Underwater underground
Look up, incoming…
Nov. 14, 2023Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Feb. 23, 2026Great white egret, Upper Bavaria, Germany
Jul. 9, 2024Talampaya National Park, Argentina
Jan. 30, 2024Aýna, Albacete, Spain
Oct. 13, 2024Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
Napping near the North Pole
Mar. 1, 2024Wheaton River, Yukon
Jul. 3, 2025Rainbow River, Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida, United States
Paddle power
Sep. 18, 2023Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
Stars in daylight
Mar. 31, 2024Happy Easter!
Apr. 14, 2026Common clownfish in a sea anemone, Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
Dare to delve into this dense swamp
Mar. 8, 2024International Womens Day