When Is The First Day of Winter? Winter Solstice 2025 Explained

The Winter Solstice on December 21, 2025, will be the shortest day of the year, meaning it’s the day when we get the least amount of daylight. But there’s more to it than just the cold weather and darkness. Throughout history, people have celebrated the solstice in different ways, and some even think it has a special significance.

In this article, we’re going to explore the winter solstice, its traditions, and what it means for us today.

Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay

 

What Is the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice is the astronomical event that occurs when the Earth’s axial tilt positions the Northern Hemisphere farthest from the Sun. This results in the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, with approximately 7 hours and 40 minutes of daylight. The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) and literally means “Sun stands still,” because during solstice the Sun seems to stop for a day and then begins to reverse its direction again.

In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the Summer Solstice at this time, with the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. After the Winter Solstice, days in the Northern Hemisphere gradually lengthen until the Summer Solstice in June.

Many cultures around the globe have celebrated the Winter Solstice for centuries with various traditions that symbolize rebirth, renewal, and the return of longer days.

In a few words, the winter solstice marks the start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, the Sun reaches its lowest position in the sky at noon, and the hemisphere receives the least direct sunlight of the year. As a result, solar energy is spread over a larger surface area, which causes lower temperatures.

Conversely, during summer, the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, causing longer days, shorter nights, and more direct sunlight. The combination of Earth’s axial tilt and its orbit around the Sun is what creates the seasons.

 

Why is the Winter Solstice Important?

The Winter Solstice holds significant cultural and historical importance across various societies. It is celebrated around December 21 or December 22, in the Northern Hemisphere, which is the year’s shortest day with the longest night. In many ancient societies, it was associated with the Solar cycle, meaning the return of the Sun after its decreasing power at the winter solstice.

The solstice was important in agricultural planning and spiritual practices. For example, Neolithic structures like Stonehenge and Newgrange designed by Prehistoric man were aligned with the solstice. In ancient Rome, Saturnalia was a week-long celebration of the god Saturn with feasting and gift-giving.

Photo by Pixabay

 

Festivals such as Yalda in Persia celebrate the moment when light begins to overcome darkness. While in China, the mid-winter festival Dong Zhi festival involves family gatherings and traditional foods. Native American communities like the Hopi also performed solstice-related ceremonial activities.

 

When Is the Winter Solstice in 2025?

The Winter Solstice in 2025 will happen on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 10:03 a.m. EST. This will be the day with the shortest amount of daylight and the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. After this date, days will gradually become longer as winter progresses.

 

Cultural and Historical Celebrations of the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night. Around this time, many cultures celebrate with different traditions. Here are a few examples from different places around the globe:

In Northern Europe, Yule is a celebration that marks the time when the sun starts to return after the shortest day of the year, bringing longer days. At Stonehenge in England, people gather to watch the sunrise or sunset, remembering the ancient knowledge about the movements of the sun. Many of the traditions from Yule are similar to what we now do at Christmas.

Photo by Levent Simsek

 

In East Asia, mainly in China, during the Dongzhi Festival, families come together to remember and honor their ancestors. People also enjoy eating traditional foods like dumplings and rice balls.

In Iran, Yalda Night is a celebration of the longest night of the year, which happens around December 21st. They enjoy special foods like fruits, nuts, and sweets, and often read poetry, especially the work of the famous poet Hafez. It’s also a time to think about the past year, reflect on what has happened, and hope for a better year ahead.

In Sweden, St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13. It is the start of the Christmas season. On this day, girls wear white dresses and carry candles to represent light during the dark winter days. It’s a tradition that brings warmth and brightness to the long, cold nights.

In Canada, cities like Vancouver have lantern festivals where people make and display colorful lanterns. These lanterns are meant to represent hope and new beginnings.

In the Andes, indigenous people observe the Inti Raymi festival to honor the sun god, Inti. This festival takes place around the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, which occurs during the summer months. During this time, the sun appears at its lowest point in the sky. The festival marks the sun’s return and celebrates its growing strength as it moves higher in the sky each day.

 

What Happens After the Winter Solstice?

After the winter solstice, around December 21, the daylight begins to increase again. Initially, it increases by a few minutes – by a minute or two – every day, for example. However, as January arrives, the increase becomes more apparent and many places gain about two minutes of light each day.

This gradual return of light is a symbol of renewal and hope in many cultures, as it marks the return of longer days after the darkest time of the year. Historically, this shift in daylight would indicate the start of planting seasons or the return of harvests.

As the months pass, the days get longer until the summer solstice in June, which is the longest day of the year. It’s a reminder that even when things seem dark, the light (or hope) always returns. This cycle of day and night affects the weather and seasons, and it also influences how people live and what they do throughout the year.

Photo by Ankit Rainloure

 

How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice in 2025

Celebrating the Winter Solstice in 2025 can be a fun and meaningful experience. Here are some ideas for rituals, gatherings, and outdoor activities:

• Gather for a Feast: Invite your friends or family over for a meal where everyone brings a dish to share. Ask each person to bring something that represents their culture, family traditions, or the season.
• Create a Solstice Altar: Set up a little area in your home where you can focus and reflect. You can use things like candles, green plants (like pine branches), and objects that represent light or new beginnings. This space is meant to help you think about the past year and set your goals or intentions for the year ahead.
• Light a Fire: If possible, light a bonfire or use a fire pit. Share stories or songs that honor the return of the sun. This gathering can represent hope and renewal.
• Take a Nature Walk: Go for a walk outside in nature and enjoy the winter scenery. While you’re walking, take a look at things like pinecones, branches, or other interesting natural items.
• Stargazing: Go outside at night to look at the stars and constellations in the sky. In winter, the air is clearer, which makes it easier to see the stars. Dress warmly since it can get cold!
• Craft Activities: Make simple DIY projects at home, like bird feeders or wreaths for winter. If you have kids, you can involve them by letting them help with making fun holiday decorations.

 

Astronomical Events Around the Winter Solstice in 2025

In 2025, there are some great opportunities for stargazing around the Winter Solstice:

1. Geminid Meteor Shower: From December 13-14, you could see up to 120 meteors per hour. The moon will be very small, so the sky will be dark and perfect for viewing.
2. Winter Solstice: On December 21, it’s the shortest day of the year. Since the sun sets early, it’s a great time to start stargazing in the evening.
3. Ursid Meteor Shower: A small meteor shower peaks on December 22-23. You may see 5 to 10 meteors per hour, which is not as many, but still a fun sight.
4. Planetary Alignments: Throughout December, planets like Venus and Saturn will be visible in the evening sky. Some nights, they will appear close together, offering a nice view.

All in all, December will give you several chances to enjoy the night sky!

G.Hüdepohl (atacamaphoto.com)/ESO, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

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FAQs About the Winter Solstice

Meteorological vs. Astronomical Winter: What’s the Difference?

Meteorological winter and astronomical winter are two ways of defining winter, but they use different criteria.

Meteorological winter is the time of year that starts on December 1 and ends on February 28 or 29. It’s based on typical weather patterns, like the average temperatures during those months. This makes it simpler to observe and compare weather trends across different years.

Astronomical winter starts around December 21, when the winter solstice happens. This is the day with the least amount of daylight. It happens because of the way the Earth is tilted as it orbits the Sun. When the Earth’s tilt is such that one hemisphere is farther from the Sun, that hemisphere experiences winter, with shorter days and longer nights.

In simpler words, meteorological winter follows calendar months and temperature patterns, while astronomical winter depends on specific solar events.

 

When is The Shortest Day of The Year?

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the least amount of daylight. It happens around December 21 or 22 each year. In 2025, it will be on December 21. This is because the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, so we get the longest night and the fewest daylight hours. After the solstice, the days start to get longer again as we move further into winter.

 

When is the First Day of Winter?

The start of winter depends on how we define it. For example:

The Astronomical winter starts on the Winter Solstice, around December 21. In 2025, this will occur on December 21 at 10:03 a.m. EST.

Meteorological winter, on the other hand, starts on December 1 and ends on February 28 or 29 (depending on whether it’s a leap year). This definition is based on average temperatures, so it’s simpler to track and measure.

In short, for most people, winter begins on December 1, but the official astronomical start is on the Winter Solstice.

 

What Ancient Civilization Utilized Solar Analemmas For Agricultural Practices?

The ancient civilization that utilized solar analemmas for agricultural practices was ancient Egypt. They paid close attention to where the Sun was in the sky at different times of the year and built structures that were aligned with these solar events. This helped them figure out when to plant and harvest crops because they understood how the Sun’s path changed with the seasons. The Sun god Ra was very important to them, and they connected these solar observations to their religious rituals.

 

When Do the Days Start Getting Longer?

The days start getting longer after the Winter Solstice on December 21. The solstice is the shortest day of the year, and after that, the amount of daylight begins to slowly increase. By the end of January, many places will get about two extra minutes of daylight each day, so you’ll notice that the days feel longer with more sunlight, especially in the evening.