Paper lanterns on the longest night Dec 21, 2018

Paper lanterns on the longest night

For the winter solstice today, we’re in Santa Fe, where residents celebrate the holidays with lovely paper lanterns known as farolitos, or luminarias. The annual Farolito Walk takes place each Christmas Eve in the city’s Canyon Road arts district, but the farolitos are often on display much earlier, lighting the way among the pueblo-style architecture that this region is known for. Winter solstice marks both the official start of winter, and the longest night of the year—meaning these paper lanterns will be put to good use tonight.

© Julien McRoberts/Danita Delimont

palette

Today in History

Dec 21, 2019Seventeen arches at sunset
Dec 21, 2020Shadows on the solstice
Dec 21, 2021Winter solstice
Dec 21, 2022Winter solstice
Dec 21, 2023Winter solstice
Dec 21, 2024Happy winter solstice!
Dec 21, 2025Winter solstice

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 26, 2018Celebrating Madagascar on its Independence Day
Apr 16, 2021 A theatrical dream
Oct 19, 2022Wartburg Castle overlooking Thuringian Forest in Germany
May 29, 2025Miravet, Catalonia, Spain
May 30, 2025Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Nov 23, 2025Fibonacci Day
May 31, 2025Knuthöjdsmossen, a nature reserve in Sweden
Jul 22, 2026Coral Reef Awareness Week
Nov 15, 2022River otters at Acadia National Park, Maine
Apr 4, 2020In the path of the pronghorn
Jun 1, 2025World Reef Awareness Day
Oct 22, 2023Astoria-Megler Bridge, Oregon
May 16, 2021A magnificent monolith
Feb 3, 2026Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe, California
Sep 29, 2025The Rainbow Houses of Houten, Netherlands
Jun 21, 2026Happy Fathers Day!
Apr 11, 2025Tulips, Netherlands
Jun 22, 2026World Rainforest Day
May 17, 2023Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California
Jul 11, 2020How Quảng Ngãi got its grove back
Sep 22, 2026Autumn equinox
Aug 5, 2018Friendship Day in the City of Brotherly Love
Nov 5, 2019Balloons and camels are two ways to catch a ride here
Apr 9, 2019The glowing waters of the Matsu Islands
Mar 29, 2024South Stack Lighthouse, Holy Island, Wales
Mar 15, 2021Every day is Napping Day for this screech owl
Oct 6, 2021A valley view at 9,000 feet
Dec 13, 2018Iceland awaits the Yule Lads
Dec 18, 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
Jun 8, 2024National Rivers Month