Seasons & solstices · in 204 days
When is Winter Solstice?
Winter Solstice 2026 is on Monday, December 21, 2026.
Winter Solstice 2026 falls on Monday, December 21, 2026.
The shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of astronomical winter.
In 2026, it falls in ISO week 52. Need the full year's calendar? See all 2026 weeks, or browse every other date.
At a glance
The history of Winter Solstice
The winter solstice marks the moment Earth's North Pole tilts farthest from the Sun. Cultures across the ancient world built monuments to track it: Newgrange in Ireland, dating to about 3200 BC, is built so sunlight floods its central chamber only at the winter solstice sunrise. The Roman festival Saturnalia and the Germanic Yule influenced what would later become Christmas traditions, with the December 25 date possibly chosen for its proximity to the solstice.
Also known as: December Solstice, Midwinter, Yule
How Winter Solstice is celebrated
Yule celebrations, bonfires, candle lighting, the Newgrange illumination in Ireland (which is lotteried) and gatherings at Stonehenge. Iran's Yalda festival celebrates the longest night with poetry and pomegranates. Many of the modern Christmas customs (evergreen trees, lights, gift exchanges) carry pre-Christian winter solstice roots.
Did you know?
Newgrange in Ireland is about 5,200 years old, older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids.
The latest sunrise doesn't happen on the solstice; it's a few days later in early January.
Iran's Yalda Night, celebrated on the winter solstice, includes reading the poetry of Hafez.
Winter Solstice in upcoming years
How the date is set
Around December 21 each year.
Sources & further reading
For more detail on Winter Solstice, see these references.
Related dates
Winter Solstice: questions and answers
When is Winter Solstice 2026?
Winter Solstice 2026 falls on Monday, December 21, 2026.
What day of the week is Winter Solstice this year?
In 2026, Winter Solstice is a Monday, December 21.
How is the date of Winter Solstice determined?
Around December 21 each year.