The Guardian's picture editors have curated a striking collection of images from across the globe, documenting a diverse tapestry of human experience over the weekend of 18 January 2026. From ancient religious rituals to modern political statements, the photographs offer a window into celebrations, conflicts, and daily life on nearly every continent.
Cultural Celebrations and Ancient Traditions
In Taizhou, China, an artist was captured meticulously crafting an elaborate dragon lantern, a vibrant preparation for the upcoming Spring Festival. This tradition symbolises hopes for favourable weather and abundant harvests in the coming year.
Meanwhile, in Allahabad, India, Naga Sadhus undertook a holy dip at Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythological Saraswati rivers. This act was part of the month-long Magh Mela, a significant event in the Hindu calendar.
Other cultural highlights included the annual Santo Niño feast in Manila, Philippines, where devotees carried icons of the baby Jesus, and the traditional blessing of animals in Mallorca, Spain, where the Bishop blessed a dog for the day of San Anton. In Gljev, Croatia, men dressed in the distinctive costume of ‘Didi s Kamešnice’ paraded through fields during carnival time.
Political Landscapes and Global Events
The weekend's imagery also reflected significant political and social moments. In Kampala, Uganda, supporters of the National Resistance Movement danced in celebration after 81-year-old Yoweri Museveni secured a seventh term as president.
On the red carpet at the 38th European Film Awards in Berlin, Iranian actor Solmaz Panahi made a silent protest, posing with a sticker that read #freeiran. In Minneapolis, USA, a person wearing a Donald Trump mask was instructed to move on by a local police officer, capturing a slice of the nation's complex political discourse.
A more sombre political reality was shown in Druzhkivka, Ukraine, where firefighters battled a blaze in a house struck by a drone, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict.
Endurance, Escape, and Exploration
Displays of human endurance were evident in one of the world's coldest inhabited places. In Oymyakon, Russia, athletes paused at an aid station during the challenging Pole of Cold marathon, a test of extreme physical fortitude.
Scenes of leisure and community provided contrast. On Treasure Island, Florida, a colourful kite soared over beachgoers at sunset during an annual kite festival. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, children cooled off in an inflatable pool while their horses drank nearby on the city's outskirts, illustrating a blend of urban and rural life.
In Pitlochry, Scotland, luminaries including Sir Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, and Graham Norton gathered to show their support for the inaugural LGBTQ+ Out in the Hills festival at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
The weekend also cast an eye on abandoned spaces and future frontiers. A photograph from Raqqa, Syria, showed a deserted prison once used by the YPG/SDF Kurdish-led militia. In Cape Canaveral, Florida, NASA's next-generation Space Launch System rocket with the Orion crew capsule made its slow roll to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, pointing humanity's ambitions back towards the moon.
Closer to home, a serene image of swans at Stover Country Park in Devon, UK, offered a moment of peaceful reflection, concluding a global visual narrative of a single weekend on Earth.
