Summer Solstice
The longest day of the year, when the Sun is highest and summer officially begins.
Summer Solstice
Summer begins
The longest day of the year.
Sunday, 21 June 2026
2:10 PM
Bikram Sambat: Ashar 7, 2083
- Sunrise
- 5:08 AM
- Sunset
- 7:02 PM
- Day length
- 13 Hours 53 Mins 50 Secs
- Previous day
- 13 Hours 53 Mins 49 Secs
- Next day
- 13 Hours 53 Mins 49 Secs
The days are gradually getting shorter.
UTC time: 2026-06-21T08:25:00.316Z
Why this happens
The Earth is tilted on its axis — together with its journey around the Sun this creates our seasons.
Summer begins in the north — the top of Earth’s axis tilts toward the Sun, giving the longest day.
What is a Solstice?
A solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice each year — once in summer and once in winter — when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest position in the sky as seen from the poles. At this time, the tilt of the Earth’s axis relative to the Sun reaches its maximum, about 23°26′.
Solstices fall on either the 20th or 21st of June, and either the 21st or 22nd of December, each year. The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year in that hemisphere, while the winter solstice marks the shortest.
June Solstice — Summer in the North, Winter in the South
In June, it is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. So on the June solstice, it is summer — and the longest day of the year — in the UK, the USA, Canada, Russia, India, and China, while it is winter — and the shortest day — in Australia, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa.
December Solstice — Winter in the North, Summer in the South
The reverse holds in December: it is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. So on the December solstice, it is winter — and the shortest day — in the UK, the USA, Canada, Russia, India, and China, while it is summer — and the longest day — in Australia, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Why They Are Called June and December Solstices
To avoid this confusion, solstices are more precisely referred to as the June Solstice (Northern Solstice) and the December Solstice (Southern Solstice). The Winter Solstice is also known as the Hibernal Solstice.
The Solstice in Hindu Astrology
In Hindu astrology, the June Solstice marks Tropical Dakshinayana — the Sun’s southward journey. Sidereal Dakshinayana begins on Karka Sankranti instead; this period, called Pitrayana, is considered suited to shraddha and daan rather than to starting new auspicious work.