Christmas Eve Dec 24, 2023

There"s a certain magic in knowing that, around the world, shops are closing, streets are emptying, and friends and families are gathering to celebrate Christmas Eve. We each have our own traditions, from filling stockings to hosting parties and playing festive music. Today"s twilight homepage shows the gleaming lights and Christmas trees of Town Hall Square in Tartu, Estonia"s second-largest city. Tartu"s Christmas fair has a merry atmosphere, featuring sleigh rides, fire kettles, and wooden animal carousels, while serving up smoked meats, hot drinks, and gingerbread. Whether you"re partying or cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa, embrace the Christmas spirit on this peaceful night—and don"t forget the milk and cookies!

© Westend61/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Dec 24, 2018The birthplace of a classic Christmas carol
Dec 24, 2019Dashing through the snow
Dec 24, 2020Hey, don t you guys have somewhere to be?
Dec 24, 2021Smoking nights in Austria
Dec 24, 2022Christmas Eve
Dec 24, 2024Silent night, sparkling lights, and hearts full of joy
Dec 24, 2025Christmas Eve

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 5, 2019Peel Castle on St. Patrick’s Isle with the Isle of Man in the background
Oct 14, 2023Ring of fire solar eclipse
Dec 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Mar 29, 2021Rising up from the black sand like rock gods
Nov 25, 2018‘Ciao’ from Varenna
Jul 14, 2021A different view of sharks
Mar 10, 2018Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Mar 22, 2022World Water Day
Apr 1, 2023Frog Month
Jul 27, 2024Vineyards in the Mosel Valley, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Jan 13, 2024Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Jun 9, 2019Crown Fountain by Jume Plensa at Millennium Park in Chicago
Jun 22, 2023World Rainforest Day
Feb 4, 2026Rosa Parks Day
Jan 15, 2021It s truffle season here in the Dordogne Valley
May 18, 2024International Museum Day
Feb 4, 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
Oct 6, 2022International Geodiversity Day
May 12, 2023Wild lupines
Feb 27, 2024International Polar Bear Day
Jun 12, 2021In Texas, even the riverbend is big
Aug 7, 2021Salt of the earth
Aug 30, 2021Behold the perfect cone
Jan 3, 2019How do ladybugs winter?
Jan 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California
Jun 11, 2025Greater flamingos, Lüderitz, Namibia
Feb 1, 2026Black History Month
Nov 17, 2019Remembering the Velvet Revolution
Nov 1, 2021Native American Heritage Month
May 25, 2023Saksun, Faroe Islands, Denmark