Saturday is the winter solstice and 2024's shortest day. Here's what to know about the official start of winter.
December 21, 2024 / 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time / CBS News
Celebrations of the Winter Solstice Across the Globe
The winter solstice in 2024, which marks the shortest day of the year, will take place on Saturday, December 21, in the Northern Hemisphere. This astronomical event represents the official start of winter.
Understanding The Winter Solstice
The winter solstice marks the day each year with the least amount of daylight—meaning it has the longest night. This occurs when the sun is positioned directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, a latitude line located south of the equator, according to the National Weather Service.
The further north you go, the briefer the daylight becomes, and within the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn’t rise at all.
How Is The Winter Solstice Day Determined?
The winter solstice happens due to the angle at which the Earth leans while it orbits the sun.
When the Northern Hemisphere leans away from the sun, nights become longer. The longest night of the year occurs on the solstice, as the hemisphere is at its greatest distance from the sun. This event takes place annually on December 21 or 22.
This year, it will occur on December 21 at 4:21 a.m. Eastern Time, to be exact.
During the summer solstice, which occurs around June 20 or 21, the northern hemisphere is tilted closest to the sun, resulting in the longest day of the year.
The solstices do not consistently fall on the 21st of each year because the Earth's orbit around the sun takes about 365.25 days, not a neat 365 days.
Do Days Get Longer After The Winter Solstice?
Absolutely! Each day following the solstice, we gain an extra minute of daylight. While that may seem small, after about two months, or roughly 60 days, we'll enjoy nearly an additional hour of sunshine.
When Does Winter End In 2025?
Meteorological winter comes to a close on March 20, 2025. After that, spring will continue until June 20, which marks the onset of the summer solstice.
Winter Solstice Celebrations Worldwide
Throughout history, countries and cultures across the globe have marked the solstice with different rituals and customs. The impact of these solstice practices is still evident in how we celebrate holidays such as Christmas and Hanukkah, according to Britannica.
The old Roman festival of Saturnalia marked the conclusion of the planting season and shares many similarities with today’s Christmas celebrations. It was dedicated to Saturn, the deity associated with harvests and agriculture. This multi-day event featured abundant food, games, and festivities. Gifts were exchanged, especially for children and the less fortunate, and slaves were granted a break from their duties.
Every year, people come together at Stonehenge, a large circle made of huge stones in England that is approximately 5,000 years old. The history of Stonehenge is unclear, but it was constructed to align with the sun during the solstices.
The Hopi, a Native American community located in northern Arizona, observe the winter solstice with various traditions that include dancing, purification practices, and occasionally exchanging gifts. This special time is highlighted by the Soyal Ceremony, a revered ritual that signifies this significant event each year.
In Peru, the arrival of the sun god is celebrated during the winter solstice. While the original rituals involved actual sacrifices, today the celebrations include symbolic mock sacrifices instead. Being located in the Southern Hemisphere, Peru experiences its winter solstice in June, in contrast to the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice at the same time.
In Scandinavia, people observe St. Lucia's Day, a celebration dedicated to the beauty of light.
The "arrival of winter," known as Dong Zhi, is a Chinese festival that brings families together to reflect on the year that has passed. One of the traditional dishes enjoyed during this time is tang yuan, which are sweet rice balls filled with black sesame. This celebration is thought to have started as a way to commemorate the harvest season.
Scientists based in Antarctica have developed their own unique traditions, which sometimes involve taking a chilly dive into the frigid waters. They mark “midwinter” with special meals, films, and occasionally, handmade gifts.
Amanda Cappelli works as a digital producer for CBS News & Stations.
