When is the winter solstice?

The December solstice — the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest in the Southern — happens at the exact moment the Sun reaches its southernmost point.

December 2026 solstice: 21 December, 20:50 UTC. The moment is the same worldwide; only the local clock time differs.

Target date: Mon, 21 Dec 2026 20:50:00 GMT

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Sources and transparency

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