The 2026 winter solstice occurs on December 21, 2026 at 20:50 UTC (3:50 PM EST / 12:50 PM PST). That exact moment marks the first day of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Astronomical vs. meteorological winter
| Astronomical winter | Meteorological winter | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts | December solstice (Dec 20–22) | December 1 |
| Ends | March equinox (Mar 19–21) | February 28/29 |
| Based on | Earth's position relative to the Sun | Calendar months and temperature patterns |
| Used by | Calendars, most media | Weather services and climate records |
What happens at the winter solstice?
At the December solstice, the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn and the North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun. The Northern Hemisphere gets its shortest day and longest night of the year. After the solstice, the days slowly get longer again, though the coldest weather usually comes weeks later, in January and February, because land and oceans keep losing heat.
Why the time is shown to the minute
The solstice is a precise astronomical moment, not a whole day. Depending on your time zone, it can fall on December 20, 21 or 22. The countdown above shows the exact moment converted to your local time.
Winter solstice traditions
- Stonehenge, England: crowds gather to watch the sunrise, which lines up with the monument's stones.
- Yule: the old Germanic midwinter festival, which gave us the Yule log.
- Dongzhi (China): families eat tangyuan (sweet rice balls) or dumplings.
- Shab-e Yalda (Iran): people stay up through the longest night with pomegranates and poetry.
First Day of Winter dates for upcoming years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, December 21, 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | Wednesday, December 22, 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | Thursday, December 21, 2028 | Thursday |
How many days until First Day of Winter from other dates?
Counting from the start of each date to the start of First Day of Winter 2026 (Monday, December 21, 2026):
| From | Date | Days until First Day of Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Hanukkah | Friday, December 4, 2026 | 17 days (2 weeks, 3 days) |
| 1st of December | Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | 20 days (2 weeks, 6 days) |
| Cyber Monday | Monday, November 30, 2026 | 21 days (3 weeks) |
| Black Friday | Friday, November 27, 2026 | 24 days (3 weeks, 3 days) |
| Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 25 days (3 weeks, 4 days) |
| Diwali | Sunday, November 8, 2026 | 43 days (6 weeks, 1 day) |
| Halloween | Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 51 days (7 weeks, 2 days) |
| New Year's Day 2026 | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 354 days (50 weeks, 4 days) |
Need a different start date? Count the days from any date to First Day of Winter.
First Day of Winter quick facts
- The winter solstice can fall on December 20, 21 or 22 depending on the year and time zone.
- After the solstice, Northern Hemisphere days grow longer, but only by seconds to a minute or two per day at first.
- The earliest sunset of the year comes a couple of weeks before the solstice at mid-northern latitudes.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the first day of winter 2026?
Astronomical winter begins at the December solstice: December 21, 2026 at 20:50 UTC (3:50 PM EST / 12:50 PM PST). The countdown shows the exact moment in your local time.
Is the winter solstice the shortest day of the year?
Yes, in the Northern Hemisphere it has the least daylight of the year.
When does winter end?
Astronomical winter ends at the March equinox, around March 20. Meteorological winter ends on the last day of February.
How long until the First Day of Winter 2026?
The First Day of Winter 2026 is on December 21, 2026 at 20:50 UTC (3:50 PM EST / 12:50 PM PST). The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how much time is left in days, hours, minutes and seconds, updated every second in your local time zone.
How many weeks until the First Day of Winter?
The chip under the countdown shows the weeks and extra days left until First Day of Winter. The number updates automatically each day, so it's always current.
When is the First Day of Winter 2027?
After 2026, the next First Day of Winter is on Wednesday, December 22, 2027 (UTC date). See the table on this page for more upcoming dates.
Does this First Day of Winter countdown use my time zone?
Yes. First Day of Winter happens at one exact moment worldwide, and the countdown converts that moment to the time zone set on your device.
Sources
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