The short answer: Winter solstice traditions celebrate the longest night of the year and the slow return of the sun. In 2026 the solstice lands on Monday, December 21, at about 3:50 p.m. Eastern Time.
Our picks for winter solstice traditions
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People mark it with candles, fires, evergreens, warm food and quiet time outdoors. Here are 20 ideas, from old customs to simple family rituals.
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What is the winter solstice?
The solstice happens when the Earth's tilt points the Northern Hemisphere farthest from the sun. NASA explains that this tilt, not our distance from the sun, causes the seasons. On that day we get the fewest hours of daylight all year. After it, days slowly grow longer again.
Britannica notes that many ancient cultures built festivals and monuments around this moment. It was a time to rest, gather and look ahead.
Winter solstice traditions around the world
| Tradition | Where | What people do |
|---|---|---|
| Yule | Northern Europe | Burn a Yule log, feast and decorate with evergreens. |
| Saturnalia | Ancient Rome | Feasts, gift giving and role reversals. |
| Dongzhi Festival | China and East Asia | Families share tangyuan, sweet rice balls. |
| Yalda Night | Iran | Stay up late with pomegranates, nuts and poetry. |
| Inti Raymi | Peru (in June) | A festival to the sun at the southern solstice. |
| Stonehenge sunrise | England | Crowds gather to watch the sun rise over the stones. |
| Soyal | Hopi people, Arizona | Ceremonies to welcome the sun back. |
The Roman feast of Saturnalia shaped some later winter customs, such as gift giving and candles.
Simple winter solstice traditions at home
- Light candles at sunset and keep them going through dinner.
- Have a fire in the fireplace or a fire pit.
- Watch the sunset, then the sunrise the next morning.
- Cook a warm stew or soup and eat by candlelight.
- Decorate with evergreen branches, holly or pinecones.
- Make orange slice garlands for the window.
- Hang bird feeders made from pinecones and seed.
- Take a night walk and look for stars and planets.
- Write down what you want to let go of from the year.
- Write three hopes for the new season.
- Read winter stories or myths aloud.
- Make sweet rice balls for Dongzhi.
- Share pomegranates and nuts for Yalda.
- Turn off screens for one long, dark evening.
- Bake a sun-shaped bread or cookies.
Winter solstice traditions for kids
- Track sunset times for a week before and after the solstice. Kids can see the days grow.
- Make paper lanterns and light them with battery candles.
- Build a shoebox sundial and test it the next sunny day.
- Fill a basket with cozy books and blankets for a reading night.
- Make a "welcome back, sun" banner for the breakfast table.
For more seasonal fun, try our winter bucket list or the Christmas activities list.
Winter solstice vs. summer solstice
The solstice flips between hemispheres. When the Northern Hemisphere has its winter solstice in December, the Southern Hemisphere has its summer solstice and its longest day. That's why Australia and Argentina celebrate Christmas in summer. In June the roles swap, and festivals like Inti Raymi in Peru mark the southern winter.
The equinoxes in March and September sit halfway between. On those days, day and night are close to equal almost everywhere.
How long is the shortest day?
It depends on where you live. The farther north you are, the shorter the day. Southern states may still get close to 10 hours of daylight. Northern states may get fewer than 9 hours. Above the Arctic Circle, the sun does not rise at all for a stretch around the solstice.
Candle and fire safety
Candles and fires are at the heart of many solstice customs, so keep them safe. Never leave a flame alone, and keep candles a foot away from anything that can burn. Battery candles are a smart choice for kids' rooms and windows.
Plan the solstice into your December
The solstice falls just before Christmas, so it's easy to lose. Put it on the calendar now, pick two or three traditions and keep them simple. Our holiday calendar shows how December 21 lines up with Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the winter solstice 2026? The winter solstice 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere is Monday, December 21, 2026, at about 3:50 p.m. Eastern Time, or 1:50 p.m. Mountain Time. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year, and from the next day on, daylight slowly starts to grow again until the summer solstice in June.
What are some winter solstice traditions? Popular winter solstice traditions include lighting candles or a fire to welcome the sun back, watching the sunrise or sunset, eating a warm meal with family, decorating with evergreens, and taking a quiet walk at night. Many cultures also hold their own festivals, such as Yule in northern Europe and the Dongzhi Festival in China.
What is the meaning of the winter solstice? The winter solstice is the moment the Earth's tilt points the Northern Hemisphere farthest from the sun, so we get the least daylight of the year. For thousands of years people have treated it as a turning point, a time to rest, reflect, gather with others and celebrate the slow return of the light.
How can families celebrate the winter solstice at home? Families can celebrate the winter solstice at home by having a candlelit dinner, making orange or pinecone bird feeders, reading stories by a fire, and writing down hopes for the new season. Kids also love tracking sunset times for a week before and after the solstice to see the days begin to lengthen.
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Sources
- Britannica: Winter solstice britannica.com
- NASA Space Place: What causes the seasons? spaceplace.nasa.gov
- Britannica: Saturnalia britannica.com