Christmas star lanterns, Germany Dec. 20, 2025

Christmas star lanterns, Germany

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:

May 5, 2024Kalaloch Tree of Life, Olympic National Park, Washington, US
Man-made, meandering Lake Powell
Jan. 21, 2025Squirrel Appreciation Day
Aug. 23, 2024Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Jul. 14, 2025Shark Awareness Day
Jun. 12, 2024Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA
May 16, 2025Endangered Species Day
The envy of postcards and snow globes
Jul. 10, 2024Collared aracari
Dare to tread through the fairy flower?
Feb. 10, 2025Banff National Park, Alberta
Dec. 21, 2025Winter solstice
An archaelogical treasure
Twinkle twinkle, little bugs
Teddy bears of the sea
Small but mighty
Feb. 16, 2024Great Backyard Bird Count
Mar. 25, 2024Happy Holi!
Mar. 14, 2026Celebrating Pi Day
Jan. 20, 2026Penguin Awareness Day
An ugly duckling no more
Golden cliffs of deep space
Oct. 12, 2023Old barn and canola field, Palouse region, Idaho
A very public display of affection
Mar. 18, 2025Red Rocks, Sedona, Arizona, United States
Aug. 27, 2023Jeju Island, South Korea
Oct. 1, 2023Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, British Columbia
May 4, 2026Star Wars Day
Nov. 27, 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
Hide-and-go-seek world champion