12/21/2025
Happy winter solstice, it only gets brighter from here!
The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs annually on December 21 or 22 (December 21 in 2025), marking the shortest day and longest night of the year with the least daylight. This happens because Earth's axis tilts, positioning the Northern Hemisphere at its maximum distance from the Sun, so sunlight strikes at a lower angle and for fewer hours.
For millennia, the winter solstice has held profound significance for cultures across the globe. The deep winter darkness and the triumphant return of lengthening days have shaped ancient calendars, inspired seasonal customs, rituals, and rich storytelling traditions, many of which are still preserved and celebrated today in national parks through historic sites, interpretive programs, and modern observances.
Learn more about the winter solstice at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/naturalphenomena/winter-solstice.htm
Image: Moose walking on snow Grand Teton National Park
