The Nutcracker performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Türkiye Dec. 22, 2025

The Nutcracker performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Türkiye

As Christmas approaches across Canada, each sunset gives way to a soft glow of festive lights—from window candles in Toronto homes to snowy displays in prairie towns—bringing a touch of wonder and preparing us for the holiday season. One of the world"s most beloved stage works, "The Nutcracker," is rooted in this very sense of magic. The story unfolds on Christmas Eve, when Clara receives a nutcracker as a gift. As night falls and the household drifts into sleep, the girl and her nutcracker embark on a fantastical journey—battling the Mouse King and wandering through the Land of Sweets. Among its most famous moments is the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, accompanied by music that has become iconic.

© Anadolu/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Season of light in the City of Light
Dec. 22, 2023Ljubljana, Slovenia
Dec. 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

As curious about you as you are about them
Apr. 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China
Fit for a fairytale
Sep. 13, 2023Hemakuta Hill, Hampi
Apr. 19, 2026Mirror Beach, Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil
The only island in Lake Tahoe
Dec. 11, 2025International Mountain Day
Jan. 15, 2026The fishing village of Reine, Norway
Jan. 13, 2026Hen Galan
Aug. 6, 2025Ring-tailed lemur
Jun. 18, 2024Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
Mar. 20, 2024Cave Dale and Peveril Castle, England
May 6, 2025An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia
Apr. 11, 2026Sakura Days Japan Fair
Dec. 31, 2025New Years Eve
Rocks rock!
Sep. 2, 2023Allens Hummingbird
Feb. 1, 2026Colourful house in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil
Oct. 30, 2024Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, United Kingdom
The ‘eighth wonder?’
Apr. 8, 2024Total solar eclipse
Mar. 8, 2026Daylight Saving Time
Apr. 18, 2024International Day for Monuments and Sites
May 18, 2025International Museum Day
Aug. 1, 2024Floating fruit market, Kaptai Lake, Rangamati, Bangladesh
Sep. 18, 2023Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
Jan. 9, 2026Muir Woods National Monument, California, United States
Nov. 19, 2025Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary
Feb. 2, 2024Groundhog Day
Nov. 14, 2025Manatee