Winter Solstice
The shortest day of the year, when the Sun is lowest and winter officially begins.
Winter Solstice
Winter begins
The shortest day of the year.
Tuesday, 22 December 2026
2:35 AM
Bikram Sambat: Poush 7, 2083
- Sunrise
- 6:50 AM
- Sunset
- 5:13 PM
- Day length
- 10 Hours 23 Mins 19 Secs
- Previous day
- 10 Hours 23 Mins 19 Secs
- Next day
- 10 Hours 23 Mins 21 Secs
The days are gradually getting longer.
UTC time: 2026-12-21T20:50:22.187Z
Why this happens
The Earth is tilted on its axis — together with its journey around the Sun this creates our seasons.
Winter begins in the north — the top of Earth’s axis tilts away from the Sun, giving the shortest 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 December Solstice marks Tropical Uttarayana. However, Sidereal Uttarayana begins on Makar Sankranti instead — from this day onward begins Devkal, considered an auspicious period for starting important undertakings.