The temple of Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, Lamphun, Thailand Nov 6, 2025

What would you wish for if a single lantern could carry it skyward? Tonight, in northern Thailand, the Yi Peng festival offers that chance. This centuries-old Lanna tradition celebrates the twelfth lunar month with glowing paper lanterns—khom loi—that are released to honour the Buddha. Each lantern is believed to carry away misfortune and light the way toward a brighter future. Children steady the lantern frames, elders whisper blessings and the crowd pauses as hundreds of lights drift higher than the trees. Farther south, the same full moon watches over Loy Krathong, a sister festival, where candlelit rafts glide across the water.

© MR. ANUJAK JAIMOOK/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Racing through the five boroughs
Nov 6, 2023Lago Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Nov 6, 2024Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Rebels of the owl world
A sea of humanity
Mar 31, 2024Happy Easter!
Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
Mar 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
When being in a rut is OK
An island park for everyone
Apr 8, 2025Paro Tsechu Festival, Bhutan
Nov 8, 2025Bandon Beach in Bandon, Oregon, United States
Feb 14, 2025Happy Valentines Day!
May 28, 2025World Otter Day
Feb 5, 2026Salt evaporation ponds on the island of Gozo, Malta
Dec 1, 2025Antarctica Day
Beautiful falling waters
Oct 7, 2025Fall colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
Dec 29, 2023Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Jan 3, 2026J.R.R. Tolkien Day
Apr 13, 2025Songkran—Thai New Year
Where is this ethereal mountain?
Dec 26, 2024Boxing Day
Aug 29, 2023Turkey tail mushroom
Dec 19, 2024Sibiu Christmas Market, Romania
Mar 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
What are these predators doing?
Feb 9, 2025Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, United States
An island made from a vow
Oct 3, 2023Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Nov 18, 2024Porthcawl lighthouse, Wales, United Kingdom
Jul 7, 2025Northern gannets, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Aug 30, 2025International Whale Shark Day