When the cold air invades and the carols turn into carols and cheers, it’s time for the shortest day. The shortest day of the year, known as the winter solstice, is approaching this year and here’s what you need to know about this special day.

What is a solstice?

A solstice is the time when the sun reaches its northernmost or southernmost point in the celestial sphere relative to the celestial equator. There are two solstices every year, around June 20th to 22nd and December 20th to 22nd. In many countries, the seasons are defined by the solstices and equinoxes.

What is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice, also known as the winter solstice, occurs when one of the Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. This happens twice a year, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern). For this hemisphere, the winter solstice is the day with the shortest daylight period and longest night of the year, when the Sun reaches its lowest daily peak in the sky. Every polar region experiences constant darkness or twilight around the winter solstice.

The winter solstice occurs during the hemisphere’s winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the December solstice (December 21, December 22, or December 23). Although the winter solstice itself only lasts a moment, the term also refers to the day on which it occurs. The term midwinter is also used interchangeably with the winter solstice, although it also has other meanings. Traditionally, in many temperate regions, the winter solstice is considered the middle of winter.

When does it occur?

The winter solstice occurs on December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere this year.
According to NASA, the solstice will occur at 4:20 a.m. ET, marking “the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.”
If you live anywhere north of the equator, this is the day with the least amount of sunlight. How much natural light you get depends on where you live. For example, places further north like Alaska will barely see the sun, while areas further south like Florida will still get a little more light. According to NASA, “all locations north of the equator have daylight shorter than 12 hours, and all locations south have longer than 12 hours.”
After the solstice, each day there will be slightly more sunlight than the day before. When we reach the summer solstice on June 20, 2025, it will be the longest day of the year.

History and Meaning:

Since prehistoric times, the winter solstice has been an important time of year in many cultures and is characterized by festivals and rites.
This is because at this point the shortening of daylight hours reverses and the time of day becomes longer again. In parts of Europe it was considered a symbolic death and rebirth of the sun. Some ancient monuments such as Newgrange, Stonehenge, Cahokia Woodhenge and Ahu Tongariki are aligned with the sunrise or sunset on the winter solstice.
There is evidence that the winter solstice was considered an important moment in the annual cycle for some cultures as early as the Neolithic (New Stone Age). Astronomical events often served as guidance for agricultural activities, such as mating animals, sowing crops, and monitoring winter food reserves. The cattle were slaughtered so that they did not have to be fed in winter. Therefore, this was almost the only time of year when fresh meat was plentiful.
The winter solstice is the reversal of the sun’s apparent disappearance from the sky. The day is no longer getting shorter, but longer again. In parts of ancient Europe this was symbolized as the death and rebirth of the sun or a sun god.

How do people celebrate the winter solstice?

The winter solstice is also a time to learn about the tilt of the sun, the theme of death and rebirth, and Stonehenge’s alignment with the winter solstice sunset. People celebrate the winter solstice in many ways, including:
Saturnalia: This ancient Roman tradition honors the god of agriculture, Saturn. Originally it was a one-day festival in mid-December, but now it is often a week-long party.
Dongzhi: This festival in China and East Asia celebrates the return of longer days and the increase in positive energy. It is based on the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony.
Yaldā: This Persian festival marks the last day of the Persian month of Azar. It is considered the victory of light over darkness and the birthday of the sun god Mithra.
Inti Raymi: This festival in Peru is named after Inti, the Inca sun god. The Incas fasted for three days before the solstice and then gathered to watch the sunrise.
Yule: This European tradition involves creating an altar with items that bring joy and peace and surrounding it with candles.
Soy: This Hopi tradition honors kachina or katsina, the ancestral spirits that represent the natural world. Celebrations include ritual dancing, gift-giving, prayers, singing and storytelling.
Burn the clocks: This lantern parade in Brighton, UK is a contemporary interpretation Winter solstice celebrations.