Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, it happens around December 21 or 22. After the solstice, the days slowly start getting longer again. For thousands of years, people have celebrated this special day.

What Causes It

The winter solstice happens because the Earth is tilted on its axis. During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun. This means the Sun is low in the sky and the days are short. On the solstice, the Sun follows its shortest path across the sky. After this day, the Sun starts to climb higher and the days get longer.

Celebrations Around the World

Many ancient cultures built special structures to mark the solstice. Stonehenge in England is lined up with the sunset on the winter solstice. In Iran, people celebrate Yalda Night with fruits and poetry. Scandinavian countries celebrate the return of light with festivals. The solstice has always been a time of hope because it means warmer, brighter days are coming.

Fun Facts

• At the Arctic Circle, the Sun does not rise at all on the winter solstice.
• Stonehenge in England was built about 5,000 years ago and is aligned with the winter solstice sunset.
• In the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice happens in June, not December.

Did You Know?

Many holiday traditions, like decorating with lights and evergreen trees, come from ancient winter solstice celebrations.