People soak up the sun on deck chairs in the Allgäu region of southern Germany in 2020. Saturday is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Benjamin Liss/dpa/AFP via Getty Images
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Benjamin Liss/dpa/AFP via Getty Images
Saturday is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s not only the shortest day of the year, but the official arrival of astronomical winter.
“At 4:20 a.m. EST, the solstice marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere,” NASA says on its website.
That means from now until the end of June, each day will get a little bit longer — and brighter (no matter what any famous animal prognosticators may predict).
In the meantime, there’s plenty to cherish during the cold season, and we’re not just talking about the December holidays.
Here are some ideas for how to celebrate the solstice and welcome winter:
Try out traditions from around the world
The winter solstice has long symbolized a time of renewal and ritual for people all over the world, as NPR has reported.
In Iran and many Central Asian countries, people gather to eat (especially red fruits like pomegranates and watermelons), drink and read poetry through the night. Some Japanese traditions include taking a hot bath with the citrus fruit yuzu and eating foods that contain the “n” sound (like udon) for good luck.
To learn more about winter solstice celebrations from both hemispheres, click here.
Stream the sunrise at Stonehenge
Each December and June, visitors flock to the ancient monument in England to celebrate the solstice.
The rock formation was built to align with the sun on those days, making for a dramatic view. On the winter solstice, the sun sets to the southwest of the stone circle (as opposed to the summer solstice, when the sun’s first rays shine into the heart of the monument).
The site allows entry — free of charge — for several hours on Saturday morning. If you can’t make the trip in person, you can catch a free livestream of the sunrise on the English Heritage YouTube and Facebook pages. It’s best suited for night owls or early birds, since it starts around 2:30 a.m. ET.
Enjoy the best of the Paul Winter Consort’s solstice concerts
Fittingly named saxophone player Paul Winter has been ushering in the winter solstice with a special concert for decades.
Since 1980, the Grammy winner and a slew of special guests have gathered in New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine to mark the occasion with music and dance. The event has found new homes since the COVID-19 pandemic, this year touring 10 acoustic venues throughout New England.
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The sun rises over a snow-covered landscape in Denderhoutem,