Winter Solstice 2024: Shortest Day and Longest Night Arrives December 21

The solstice marks the official start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

The winter solstice occurs on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 4:21 a.m. EST, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
This astronomical event happens when the Earth's axial tilt positions the Northern Hemisphere farthest from the Sun, resulting in reduced daylight hours.
Following the solstice, days in the Northern Hemisphere will gradually lengthen until the summer solstice in June 2025.
Ancient cultures, including those behind Stonehenge and Machu Picchu, aligned monuments with solstices to celebrate seasonal transitions and the return of light.
Modern traditions around the solstice include community walks, sunset gatherings, and rituals of reflection and renewal, emphasizing hope and the cyclical nature of time.