How many days until Winter Solstice?
Winter Solstice countdown — the shortest day of the year, around 21 December.
About Winter Solstice
When is Winter Solstice this year?
Winter Solstice 2026 falls on Monday 21 December 2026 — that's Monday.
The winter solstice is the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, around 21 December.
Upcoming dates
- 2026: 21 December (Monday)
- 2027: 21 December (Tuesday)
- 2028: 21 December (Thursday)
- 2029: 21 December (Friday)
- 2030: 21 December (Saturday)
What happens at the winter solstice
The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere, usually falling on 21 or 22 December. From this point, daylight hours begin to lengthen again, which is why many cultures have celebrated it as a turning point. In the UK, the Sun sets before four o'clock in the afternoon in the north of Scotland and not much later in the south. Gatherings at Stonehenge and Newgrange, in Ireland, mark the sunrise or sunset on the solstice. In the southern hemisphere, this date is the summer solstice.
Frequently asked questions
How many days until Winter Solstice?
There are 74 days until Winter Solstice 2026 (on Monday 21 December 2026).
When is Winter Solstice 2026?
Winter Solstice 2026 is on Monday 21 December 2026.
How many weeks until Winter Solstice?
There are approximately 10.6 weeks until Winter Solstice 2026.