Þorrablót, Icelandic midwinter festival Jan. 23, 2026

When January"s chill grips Iceland, locals turn to warmth and tradition with Þorrablót—a midwinter festival rooted in Viking heritage. Named after Þorri, a winter figure from Norse mythology, this celebration began as a sacrificial feast to honour the gods and ensure survival through harsh winters. Today, it"s a lively cultural event that blends history with hearty camaraderie.

© Christophe Lehenaff/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Big rocks, big heads, still counting?
Jan. 23, 2024Maldives
Jan. 23, 2025Sundance Film Festival

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct. 2, 2025Oxbow Bend on the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States
Jan. 3, 2024J.R.R. Tolkien Day
Nov. 26, 2025World Olive Tree Day
Aug. 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Jan. 28, 2025Short-eared owl
Something to ‘bee’ thankful for
Rocky Mountain runoff
Aug. 8, 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
Jan. 7, 2024Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Australia
Giants of the Southern Ocean
Isn’t this view mesmerizing?
Sep. 11, 2024Red fox mother kissing her baby
A window to the Pacific
In the tropics, land greets sea warmly
Nov. 9, 2025Carl Sagan Day
Jan. 16, 2026Leopard at Etosha National Park, Namibia
Mar. 24, 2024Silvereyes
Jun. 14, 2024Peggys Point Lighthouse
Feb. 8, 2025Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia
An island crossroad of culture
A beautiful labyrinth
Feb. 13, 2025Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
Feb. 3, 2025Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England
Feb. 19, 2024Toledo, Spain
Dec. 15, 2023SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
An engineering marvel
Mar. 13, 2024Lake Magadi, Kenya
Paddle power
Jan. 1, 2026Happy New Year!
Dec. 9, 2024Guanacos in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile