Winter Solstice Occurs On December 22

Winter solstice is an astronomical event that occurs when the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth is tilted farthest away from the Sun. This typically happens on December 21 or 22 (2023 solstice occurs on december 22) in the Northern Hemisphere. During the winter solstice, the daylight hours are at their shortest, while the nighttime is at its longest. In many cultures, the winter solstice has been celebrated with festivities and rituals often centered around the themes of light and rebirth. For instance, many Christmas traditions have roots in pre-Christian celebrations of the winter solstice. Video shows aerial and ground-based views of Abruzzo, in central Italy, during 2021, 2022 and 2023 winter seasons.