WINTER 2026
00
00
00
00
Winter Solstice · Monday, December 21, 2026
Winter Solstice · Monday, December 21, 2026
Our free winter countdown shows exactly how many days, hours, minutes and seconds remain until the winter solstice 2026 — the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day of the year. The next winter solstice falls on approximately Monday, December 21, 2026.
The astronomical winter begins with the winter solstice, which in 2026 falls on approximately Monday, December 21, 2026. This is the moment when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined away from the Sun, giving the Northern Hemisphere its shortest day and longest night of the year. Meteorological winter begins on December 1st in many countries — the countdown above targets the astronomical solstice.
The winter solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its lowest point in the sky at noon, resulting in the fewest daylight hours of the year. At the winter solstice, the North Pole is tilted 23.5° away from the Sun — the maximum axial tilt away from our star. Above the Arctic Circle (66.5°N), the Sun doesn't rise at all on the solstice, creating "polar night." After the solstice, days begin to lengthen again — a fact that has been celebrated as a symbol of renewal and the return of light across virtually every culture in history.
Humans have marked the winter solstice since ancient times. Stonehenge is aligned with the midwinter sunset as well as the midsummer sunrise. The Roman festival of Saturnalia, a week-long feast of gift-giving, role reversals between masters and slaves, and general merriment, ran from December 17–23 — closely coinciding with the solstice. Many historians believe these traditions influenced the timing of Christmas celebrations. In Japan, the winter solstice (Toji) is marked by bathing in citrus-infused water (yuzu baths) to ward off illness and eating pumpkin soup. Iran celebrates Yalda Night (Shab-e Yalda) on the longest night of the year — families gather to read poetry, eat pomegranates and watermelon, and stay up through the night. In China, the solstice festival Dongzhi brings families together for tangyuan (glutinous rice balls). In Scandinavia, the solstice is deeply embedded in the Julenisse (Christmas elf) and Yule traditions that predate Christianity.
The winter countdown is also a practical tool. Use it to pace your winter preparations: check your home heating before the cold sets in, stock up on supplies for winter storms, get tyres changed if you're in a snowy region, and plan your winter wardrobe. For those who struggle with seasonal mood changes — Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects an estimated 5% of the population in northern latitudes — the solstice marks the turning point after which days lengthen and light returns. Light therapy lamps, vitamin D, and regular outdoor exercise during daylight hours are evidence-based strategies.
Astronomically, winter begins at the winter solstice — approximately December 21–22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2026, this falls on Monday, December 21, 2026. Meteorologically, winter is December, January, and February.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice is the summer solstice — winter begins in June. Use our Summer Countdown (which targets the June solstice) for the Northern Hemisphere summer / Southern Hemisphere winter.
No — despite being the shortest day, the coldest temperatures typically occur in January and February in the Northern Hemisphere. This is because the oceans and land continue to release stored heat for weeks after the solstice, a phenomenon known as the "lag of the seasons."
Also counting down: Christmas Countdown, Summer Countdown, New Year Countdown, and Event Countdown.