Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 2023

There"s a certain magic in knowing that in towns around the world, shops are closing, streets are emptying and friends and families are gathering together to take comfort in the company of one another on Christmas Eve. Each of us have our own traditions, from filling stockings to hosting parties and playing festive music. Today"s snapshot portrays the annual celebration in the Town Hall Square of Tartu, Estonia, which is illuminated with gleaming lights and adorned with a display of Christmas trees. Tartu"s Christmas fair has a merry atmosphere, featuring sleigh rides, fire kettles and wooden animal carousels. All of this is accompanied by smoked meats, hot drinks and crispy gingerbread. Whether you"re watching a classic holiday movie or cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa as the clock strikes twelve, let the Christmas spirit reign on this peaceful night—and don"t forget the milk and cookies!

© Westend61/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

All is calm
Dec. 24, 2024Silent night, sparkling lights and hearts full of joy
Dec. 24, 2025Christmas Eve

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov. 18, 2023Polar bear season in Manitoba
Nov. 13, 2023Serra de Tramuntana, Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain
Jun. 17, 2025Maritime forest in Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, United States
Apr. 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
Jan. 28, 2025Short-eared owl
Colours of spring
Oct. 26, 2023Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
The Rainbow Bridge
Sep. 25, 2023Sea Otter Awareness Week
Sep. 13, 2024Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
‘Night shining’ clouds
Jan. 21, 2026Eurasian red squirrel
May 12, 2024Mothers Day
Poetry in suspense
A chocolate lovers favourite fruit
Jul. 8, 2024Blueberries growing in the wild
A breathtaking cave when it’s cold
We’ve made it to Halfway Day!
Dec. 24, 2024Silent night, sparkling lights and hearts full of joy
Jul. 11, 2025World Population Day
Mar. 3, 2026World Wildlife Day
Jan. 3, 2025Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!
Oct. 25, 2024Frankenstein Friday
Apr. 18, 2024International Day for Monuments and Sites
May 22, 2025International Day for Biological Diversity
Nov. 11, 2025Quiver trees, Keetmanshoop, Namibia
Feb. 16, 2025Happy World Whale Day!
Nov. 1, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
May 3, 2025Happy International Astronomy Day!
A warm hug in the icy north