When Is The Shortest Day
The shortest day of the year is the winter solstice. Find the exact date in 2026.
Next occurrence of Shortest Day
Monday, 21 December 2026
Shortest Day in 2026: Monday, 21 December 2026
What is Shortest Day?
The shortest day of the year occurs on the winter solstice, approximately 21 December in the UK. This day has the minimum duration of daylight, often around 8 to 9 hours depending on latitude. The shortest day marks the official beginning of winter. After this day, the duration of daylight gradually increases as the year progresses towards spring.
Traditions
- •Christmas celebrations
- •Indoor activities and time with family
- •Winter festival celebrations
- •Candle lighting and festive decorations
- •Reflective activities and meditation
- •Yule celebrations in some traditions
- •Warm gatherings and comfort food
- •Planning for the new year
Fun Facts
- ✨In London, the shortest day has approximately 7 hours 49 minutes of daylight
- ✨The shortest day marks the winter solstice
- ✨After the shortest day, daylight gradually increases each day
- ✨Locations at higher latitudes experience shorter days
- ✨The shortest day is cause for celebration as it marks the return of light
When is Shortest Day 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 |
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When is the Shortest Day?
The winter solstice - usually 21 or 22 December in the Northern Hemisphere. Astronomically the day with the least daylight. London: about 7 hours 49 minutes of daylight. Inverness (northern Scotland): about 6 hours 30 minutes. Reykjavik (Iceland): about 4 hours 7 minutes. Above the Arctic Circle, the 'polar night' means no sunrise at all.
After this date, days slowly get longer again. The change is barely noticeable for the first few weeks (just minutes per day in late December and early January) but accelerates - by February you can clearly tell evenings are lighter. By June, daylight peaks again at the summer solstice.
Winter Solstice Reference
| Year | Date | Daylight (London) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 December | 7h 49min |
| 2025 | 21 December | 7h 49min |
| 2026 | 21 December | 7h 49min |
| 2027 | 22 December | 7h 49min |
| 2028 | 21 December | 7h 49min |
| 2029 | 21 December | 7h 49min |
| 2030 | 21 December | 7h 49min |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does it start getting lighter?
Days start getting longer the day after winter solstice. Initial growth is slow (1-2 minutes per day) but accelerates. By mid-February the difference is noticeable (an hour more daylight than December). By March equinox, days equal length with night.
Why do we have Christmas near the solstice?
Probably co-opted from earlier pagan winter solstice celebrations. Roman Saturnalia, Norse Yule, Germanic midwinter feasts all centred on the solstice or its aftermath. Christianity placed Christmas (originally celebrated in spring) at this time to align with existing winter celebrations during conversion. The literal date of Jesus's birth is unknown.
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