Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, bringing minimum daylight hours.
Next Winter Solstice
2026
Monday, December 21, 2026
UTC: 8:50 PM UTC
Your Local Time: 8:50 PM UTC
Winter Solstice Dates (2025-2030)
| Year | Date | UTC Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sunday, December 21 | 3:03 PM |
| 2026 | Monday, December 21 | 8:50 PM |
| 2027 | Wednesday, December 22 | 2:42 AM |
| 2028 | Thursday, December 21 | 8:20 AM |
| 2029 | Friday, December 21 | 2:14 PM |
| 2030 | Saturday, December 21 | 8:09 PM |
About the Winter Solstice
What is the Winter Solstice?
The Winter Solstice marks the moment when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs when the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the sun.
The word "solstice" comes from Latin words "sol" (sun) and "sistere" (to stand still), because the sun appears to pause in its southward journey before reversing direction.
After the Winter Solstice, days gradually become longer until the Summer Solstice in June. In the Southern Hemisphere, this same date marks the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year.
❄️ Winter Characteristics
- • Shortest days of the year
- • Cold temperatures
- • Snow and ice
- • Dormant vegetation
- • Animals hibernate or migrate
- • Holiday season
- • Long nights
🔬 Scientific Facts
- • Minimum daylight hours
- • Sun at lowest elevation
- • Occurs around Dec 21-22
- • North Pole tilted 23.5° from sun
- • Arctic Circle: polar night
- • Antarctic Circle: midnight sun
Cultural Significance
Yule and Christmas: Many winter solstice traditions have been incorporated into modern holidays. Ancient cultures celebrated the solstice as the "return of the light" when days begin to lengthen again.
Dongzhi Festival: In East Asia, the Dongzhi Festival celebrates the Winter Solstice with family gatherings and special foods like tangyuan (sweet rice balls).
Ancient Monuments: Newgrange in Ireland and Machu Picchu in Peru are among many ancient sites aligned with the Winter Solstice sunrise, showing its importance throughout history.
Disclaimer: All times provided are based on astronomical calculations and are provided as-is for informational purposes. Exact times may vary slightly based on location and calculation method.