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:

Aug. 26, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
Feb. 4, 2026Red kite in snow
Its puffling season!
Apr. 24, 2026Arbor Day
Jul. 27, 2024Vineyards above the Moselle River, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
A gorge-ous place to drop in
Apr. 4, 2024Red lechwe, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Apr. 26, 2024Val di Funes, Italy
Oct. 13, 2025Happy Thanksgiving!
Wait, mountain—you shall bear my castle!
Aug. 19, 2024Two Atlantic puffins in Elliston
Mar. 7, 2025Plum blossoms, China
Apr. 25, 2026World Penguin Day
Nov. 21, 2023Grey seal pup
Sep. 6, 2024Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
A delightful day for donkeys
Gateway to Iberia
Feb. 23, 2024Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
Aug. 2, 2025Petroglyphs near Fruita in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States
Mar. 22, 2026World Water Day
Jan. 22, 2026Karlovy Vary, Bohemia, Czechia
Jan. 16, 2026Leopard at Etosha National Park, Namibia
Dec. 3, 2024Amber Fort, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
A beautiful labyrinth
Oct. 22, 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome
Jan. 20, 2024Macaroni penguins, Drake Passage, Chile
Feb. 7, 2025Blue hour in Trondheim, Norway
The sprout with amazing potential
Jul. 15, 2025Perseid meteor shower over Nevada
Whats blooming so brightly?