Winter officially begins on December 21st – the shortest day of the year – or what we call the winter solstice.

Over the centuries the meaning of the day has changed, but in reality it is still the shortest day of the year.

This doesn’t mean there will be fewer hours in the day. It will still be 24 hours long. It just means there will be less daylight and more darkness than any other day of the year.

But the winter solstice isn’t all doom and gloom. The solstice also marks the beginning of longer days and the approach of the New Year and eventually spring.

Some view the winter solstice as a time of restoration and healing. It is also a time for reflection and spiritual renewal.

With Christmas approaching, it may also be a time to take a deep breath and leave behind the stress of shopping, cleaning and preparing for the holidays.

If you’d rather celebrate the occasion, we’ve found several events celebrating the winter solstice in Mississippi.

• The Yoga Room, 2118 Oak Grove Road, in Hattiesburg will host its 22nd annual Winter Solstice event on December 18th at 6 p.m., featuring candlelight, restorative poses by teacher Tammy Kolbo, music by yoga teacher and musician John Milham, meditation, community and Holiday refreshments. A donation of $20 per person is requested. To register for the Solstice program, visit theyogaroom-ms.com/events.

• The Arts, Hancock County hosts its third annual Winter Solstice Celebration on Bay St. Louis Beach. The family-friendly event includes a parade, bonfires, music and pizza. The fun begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at The Arts, 405 Blaize Ave., Bay St. Louis, where the parade will begin before heading down Washington Street to the beach. Bring a battery-operated paper lantern that glows in the dark, and wear a costume if you feel like it. Participation is free, but registration is required. To register, visit tinyurl.com/LanternParade-BeachBonfire. Before the parade, bring a lawn chair or blanket as well as drinks and snacks to share on the beach. No pets allowed.

See where: Here are some of the best light displays in Jackson to ring in the holiday season.

Check out our list: Looking for Christmas light displays in the Hattiesburg area?

• The Jefferson Davis County Economic Development District will host a winter solstice celebration, “Light Up the Trace,” on December 21, the shortest day of the year, from 6 to 8 p.m. The county’s Longleaf Trace will be illuminated with lights at four locations as part of a fundraiser and festive holiday event. The evening will be full of happiness, music and holiday cheer. Celebrations on the trail will begin at Prentiss Gateway Park, continue to HBCU Prentiss Institute’s Rosenwald School, then to Carson Station, where a live nativity scene will be featured, and end at Bassfield Station with numerous family-friendly activities. To sponsor a $10 light to honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone or contribute to improving safety and lighting at Longleaf Trace or participating community groups, visit lightupthetrace.com, call 601-792 -5903 or find them at Carraway’s in Bassfield or through Friends of Prentiss and Je Lorus Florist.

The Farmers’ Almanac forecast: When does winter start and what will the weather be like in Mississippi?

• Studio A Greenwood, 325 Howard St., in Greenwood is hosting a winter solstice celebration called 108 Sun Salutations on Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the mini sun salutations, there will be a meditative flow with variations that extends between movements. restorative postures and a relaxing Savasana. Modifications are offered for those unfamiliar or practiced with the poses. Tickets are $25 per person. For more information, visit thealluvian.com/studio-a-yoga.

Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact them at [email protected]. Keep following her X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Find Winter Solstice Events in Mississippi