winter solstice | EarthSky

Map of U.S. showing earliest sunset, latest sunrise by latitude.

Your earliest sunset comes before the winter solstice

The solstice comes on December 21, 2025, at 15:03 UTC. Does that coincide with your earliest sunset? Probably not. It depends on where you live.

Winter solstice at Stonehenge

Stonehenge is carefully aligned on a sight-line that points to the winter solstice sunset, but, this year as in most recent years, the revelry began before sunrise.

An orange red ball, almost featureless except for white polar caps.

Summer solstice in Mars’ southern hemisphere is April 25

The summer solstice in Mars' southern hemisphere happens on April 25, 2026. Summertime there typically kicks off dust season on the red planet.

Composite of 11 photos with sun just above a low mountain showing positions of the sun at dawn on 11 dates.

Equinox fun: Track the sun’s shift now until the solstice

On this equinox, start tracking the sunset point on your western horizon. You'll see a mighty shift between now and the June solstice.

A view of Earth from orbit, with the sun in the distance.

Are the December solstice and January perihelion related?

December solstice 2025 occurred on December 21. Earth will be closest to the sun about 2 weeks later, on January 3. Coincidence?

Solstices and equinoxes seen from space

See how sunlight falls on Earth's surface during the solstices and equinoxes, and get a better understanding of why Earth's tilt causes the seasons.

Tree in the foreground against a colorful sunrise.

Year’s shortest season to start at December solstice

The year's shortest season - between the December solstice and March equinox - is about 89 days. It's 5 days shorter than the longest season.

Map of North America with a thick blue line dipping through the states and other colors in different regions.

U.S. winter weather outlook and how La Niña will factor in

La Niña has developed and should stay in place through February. This will impact the winter weather outlook for the U.S., but it depends on your location.

Sunset at the beach with dramatic colors and a toddler silhouette to the side.

Latest sunsets follow the summer solstice

Why don't the latest sunsets come on the longest day (the solstice)? In a nutshell, it's a discrepancy between the sun and the clock.

Two lounging chairs on the beach with an umbrella.

Why aren’t the hottest days on the solstice?

June solstice 2025. It's the longest day for us in the Northern Hemisphere, but the hottest days for the northern Earth are still to come. Why is that?

What’s your personal solstice? Images and stories from our community here

The solstice is a whole-Earth event. Enjoy these June solstice stories and images from the EarthSky community. And happy solstice!

Against an orange sky, a bright orange half-sun rises from the horizon with tall trees silhouetted in front.

Summer solstice: Could trees know when it is?

Researchers say trees might use the summer solstice like a calendar reminder, triggering shifts in their growth and reproductive cycles.

Three curved, dotted sun tracks across the sky from various heights above the horizon down to the horizon.

Northernmost sunset is on the June solstice, today!

The northernmost sunset (and sunrise) happens at the June solstice. Here's some quick info that'll help you connect with nature on this special day.

Idyllic scene of sunrise over the ocean beyond a large palm tree, with boats in the distance.

Earliest sunrises (or sunsets) come before June solstice

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, your earliest sunrises of the year are happening around now. Southern Hemisphere? Your earliest sunsets are around now.

Fisheye view of sky with 3 bright parallel lines across it.

Personal solstices from the EarthSky community

Some people like to mark the solstice with a special sunset view, or marking of shadows, or party! Personal solstices from the EarthSky community, here.

Black sky with big crescent moon at right, small bright dot of Venus at bottom and even smaller Mars at left.

Cosmic trio on June solstice 2023. Best photos.

On the June solstice, look west to spot a crescent moon near brilliant Venus and the dimmer, reddish Mars. This cosmic trio is a treat in our solstice sky.

Large, bright yellow circle of sun in deep orange sky with jet plane crossing in front of it.

Longest sunsets happen around the solstice

We're talking about how many minutes it takes for the body of the sun to sink below your western horizon. Longest sunsets take place around the solstices.

Orbital view of pink flat ground with large blue crescent-shaped hills frosted on one side.

Winter wonderland on Mars

NASA captured fascinating images of the winter wonderland on Mars. When Mars thaws in the spring, the ice takes on new shapes and results in erupting geysers.

Yellow phoenix with spread wings and flames around.

Summer solstice, cycles of nature and Chinese philosophy

In Chinese thought, the summer solstice is associated with the color red, the sound of laughing, the fire element and a red phoenix.

Summer solstice tale of 2 cities

On the June solstice, the sun will set at the same time in New York City and St. Augustine, Florida. But New York will have an hour more of daylight. Why?

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Your earliest sunset comes before the winter solstice

Winter solstice at Stonehenge

Summer solstice in Mars’ southern hemisphere is April 25

Equinox fun: Track the sun’s shift now until the solstice

Are the December solstice and January perihelion related?

Solstices and equinoxes seen from space

Year’s shortest season to start at December solstice

U.S. winter weather outlook and how La Niña will factor in

Latest sunsets follow the summer solstice

Why aren’t the hottest days on the solstice?

What’s your personal solstice? Images and stories from our community here

Summer solstice: Could trees know when it is?

Northernmost sunset is on the June solstice, today!

Earliest sunrises (or sunsets) come before June solstice

Personal solstices from the EarthSky community

Cosmic trio on June solstice 2023. Best photos.

Longest sunsets happen around the solstice

Winter wonderland on Mars

Summer solstice, cycles of nature and Chinese philosophy

Summer solstice tale of 2 cities