When Is the Winter Solstice?

The winter solstice in 2026 is on Monday, December 21, 2026, at 20:50 UTC. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and the astronomical start of winter.

Winter solstice dates 2026-2032

What the winter solstice is

• Earth's axis is tilted about 23.4 degrees. At the December solstice the North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun, so the Sun is at its lowest and daylight is shortest for the Northern Hemisphere.
• It is a single instant, not a whole day: the moment the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.
• In the Southern Hemisphere the same moment is the summer solstice.
• Astronomical winter starts at the solstice. Meteorological winter starts on December 1 (March 1 in the Southern Hemisphere).

FAQ

When is the winter solstice in 2026?

The winter solstice (December solstice) in 2026 is Monday, December 21, 2026, at 20:50 UTC. Depending on your time zone the local date can differ by a day.

Is the winter solstice the shortest day of the year?

Yes, in the Northern Hemisphere it is the day with the least daylight. In the Southern Hemisphere the same date is the summer solstice and the longest day.

Does the earliest sunset happen on the winter solstice?

No. In the Northern Hemisphere at mid-latitudes the earliest sunset comes a week or two before the solstice and the latest sunrise comes a week or two after, because of the way the Sun's timing drifts through the year.

What happens after the winter solstice?

Days start getting longer in the Northern Hemisphere, although the coldest weather usually arrives weeks later.

Why is the winter solstice sometimes on December 22?

The exact moment moves with the leap-year cycle. In UTC it falls on December 21 in most years in this decade, and on December 22 in 2027, 2031.

See also: Solstice and equinox dates 2026-2032 · First day of winter · First day of spring · First day of summer · First day of fall · Winter solstice · All holiday dates · Winter solstice countdown

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