On Friday, 26 December 2025, The Guardian's picture editors curated a striking collection of images from across the globe, capturing a day marked by tradition, remembrance, and the stark realities of a changing world.
British Traditions and Global Contrasts
In the north-east of England, hardy swimmers braved the cold to take part in the annual Boxing Day dip at Tynemouth Beach. The tradition was mirrored at Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock, where participants plunged into the icy waters in a festive display of endurance. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, residents of Adelaide, Australia, soaked up Boxing Day sunshine with temperatures forecast to reach a sweltering 35C.
Climate, Conflict, and Commemoration
The selection also highlighted the pervasive impact of climate change and human conflict. In Garut, Indonesia, a farmer tended to his shallot crop, with harvests said to have declined dramatically compared to last year due to unpredictable weather linked to the climate crisis. In the Gaza Strip, displaced Palestinians were pictured living in tents among the ruins of their destroyed homes in Beit Lahiya.
A sombre note of remembrance was struck in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, where people gathered to pray at a mass grave for victims of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, marking over two decades since the devastating disaster.
Sport, Culture, and the Everyday
The day's events also spanned the worlds of sport and culture. In Sydney, the prestigious annual Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race commenced, with LawConnect taking an early lead. In Cali, Colombia, dancers performed at the opening of the 68th edition of the Cali Fair.
From the quirky – a monkey and its infant sitting on a motorbike seat in Bengaluru's Chickpet market – to the determined – a video blogger livestreaming from China's -45C 'cold pole' in Genhe City – the photographs presented a mosaic of global life on this late December day.
Other notable images included US fighter jets parked in Puerto Rico, skiers in California, deer in a Toronto cemetery, and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce before an NFL game, rounding out a visual diary of a connected yet diverse world.
