Christmas Day 2025 presented a tapestry of global moments, captured by photographers from the serene to the sombre, the traditional to the turbulent. The Guardian's picture editors have curated a selection of images that tell the story of a world celebrating, reflecting, and enduring on 25 December.
Festive Traditions and Celebrations
In Windsor, a heartwarming scene unfolded as The Princess of Wales and her daughter, Princess Charlotte, performed a duet. They played Erland Cooper's 'Holm Sound' on piano at Windsor Castle for the annual 'Together at Christmas' carol service, a moment of familial harmony shared with the public.
Elsewhere in the UK, longstanding traditions continued with vigour. In London's Hyde Park, brave swimmers gathered for the 162-year-old Peter Pan Cup race in the chilly waters of the Serpentine. Similar festive dips took place in Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, where a turkey-costumed swimmer took the plunge, and in Birmingham's Sutton Park at Blackroot Pool.
Across the Irish Sea in Dublin, U2 frontman Bono took part in the annual Christmas Eve busk on Grafton Street. The iconic singer performed to raise funds for the Simon Community, a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness.
A World of Contrasts and Challenges
The day also highlighted stark global contrasts. In Gaza City, Palestinian children staged a protest, demanding a safe educational environment to replace the tents serving as their makeshift schools. This poignant demonstration underscored the ongoing impact of the conflict, which has seen most schools in the Strip destroyed.
In North Sumatra, Indonesia, the aftermath of nature's force was evident as villagers walked through flood and landslide-damaged terrain towards the Angkola Protestant Church. Meanwhile, in California, a major winter storm that arrived on 23 December continued to cause disruption, with heavy snow piling up trucks near Donner Pass and threatening travel through the holiday.
Global Glimpses from Sydney to the Vatican
From Sydney's Bondi and Coogee beaches, where revellers and police patrols marked a sunny Christmas, to the solemnity of the Vatican where Pope Leo presided over Christmas Eve mass, the day's observances varied widely.
In a notable display of interfaith unity, Taiwan's Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum hosted 'When Buddha Meets the Gods', bringing together representatives of major religions. Security was heightened in Peshawar, Pakistan, where police stood guard as the Christian minority attended Christmas Day mass at the Cathedral Church of St John.
Political and strategic narratives also emerged, with North Korea's state media releasing images of leader Kim Jong-un inspecting a nuclear-powered submarine construction site. In a lighter political moment, former US President Donald Trump was pictured participating in the NORAD Santa Tracker tradition, calling children on Christmas Eve.
These photographs, selected on Thursday 25 December 2025, collectively paint a multifaceted portrait of a single day on our planet, reflecting its enduring traditions, profound challenges, and moments of simple human connection.
