When Does Winter Start
Winter (winter solstice) marks the astronomical start of winter. Find the exact date and time.
Next occurrence of Winter Solstice
Monday, 21 December 2026
Winter Solstice in 2026: Monday, 21 December 2026
What is Winter Solstice?
The winter solstice, also known as midwinter, occurs on approximately 21 December in the UK and marks the astronomical beginning of winter. It is the shortest day of the year, with the minimum duration of daylight. After the winter solstice, day length gradually increases as the year progresses. The winter solstice has been celebrated by many cultures throughout history and marks a turning point in the year as daylight returns.
Traditions
- •Christmas celebrations and festive decorations
- •Yule log traditions
- •Candle lighting to symbolise the return of light
- •Winter festivals and celebrations
- •Family gatherings and meals
- •Hot drinks and comfort food
- •Ancient solstice celebrations at sites like Stonehenge
- •Preparations for the new year
Fun Facts
- ✨The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere
- ✨On this day, the sun's path is at its southernmost point
- ✨The date varies between 20 and 23 December depending on the year
- ✨After the winter solstice, daylight gradually increases each day
- ✨Many ancient sites align with the winter solstice
When is Winter Solstice each year?
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 December 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | 21 December 2027 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | 21 December 2028 | Thursday |
| 2029 | 21 December 2029 | Friday |
| 2030 | 21 December 2030 | Saturday |
| 2031 | 21 December 2031 | Sunday |
| 2032 | 21 December 2032 | Tuesday |
| 2033 | 21 December 2033 | Wednesday |
| 2034 | 21 December 2034 | Thursday |
| 2035 | 21 December 2035 | Friday |
Related Tools
When Does Winter Start?
Astronomical winter begins at the winter solstice: usually 21 or 22 December in the Northern Hemisphere. Meteorological winter begins 1 December. The solstice is the shortest day of the year - in southern UK, about 7 hours 50 minutes of daylight; in northern UK (Inverness), about 6 hours 30 minutes.
Winter dates: 2025: 21 December. 2026: 21 December. 2027: 22 December. 2028: 21 December. Coldest UK weather typically January-February (about 6 weeks after solstice due to thermal lag). UK winters are mild compared to continental Europe due to the Gulf Stream warming effect. Snow more common in northern UK and Scotland; rare in southern coastal England.
Winter Start Dates (Northern Hemisphere)
| Year | Solstice (Astronomical) | Meteorological |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 December | 1 December |
| 2025 | 21 December | 1 December |
| 2026 | 21 December | 1 December |
| 2027 | 22 December | 1 December |
| 2028 | 21 December | 1 December |
| 2029 | 21 December | 1 December |
| 2030 | 21 December | 1 December |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the winter solstice the coldest day?
No - it's the day with least sunlight. Coldest weather lags by about 6 weeks due to thermal lag. UK's coldest weeks typically late January to mid February. The solstice marks the start of days getting longer again, even though average temperatures continue dropping.
Why are winters mild in the UK?
Gulf Stream (technically the North Atlantic Current). Warm water from the Caribbean flows across the Atlantic and along UK coasts, keeping winter temperatures 5-10°C warmer than equivalent latitudes in continental Europe or Canada. Without the Gulf Stream, the UK would have winters similar to Newfoundland or northern Russia.
Related Tools
When Does Autumn Start
Autumn (autumnal equinox) marks the astronomical start of autumn. Find the exact date and time.
When Is The Shortest Day
The shortest day of the year is the winter solstice. Find the exact date in 2026.
When Is Christmas?
Find out when Christmas is this year and every year. Live countdown, day of the week, 10-year date table, and fun Christmas facts.