| Where: | Stonehenge, Wiltshire |
| When: | 21st or 22nd December |
| Time: | Dawn (from around 7.30 am) |
The Winter Solstice is marked each year at Stonehenge by a Druid Ceremony. The solstice is the shortest day, when the sun is at its most southerly and furthest from us ; it varies in date between the 21st and 22nd of December because the modern calendar does not exactly correspond with the solar calendar. Expect a crowd of up to a couple of thousand (much smaller than the Summer Solstice Celebrations) comprising druids, pagans and onlookers. It’s a religious service based around the sun rising, marking the turn of the year and the return of longer days to come.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it was at sunrise on Sunday 21st December- 2026 details are yet to be confirmed.
For full details and exact access times keep checking the English Heritage link below for updates.
The event is free of charge for the ceremony – all must leave before it opens to the public as normal later in the day. Because it isn’t possible to use the fields as carparks in winter, access is more limited -check the English Heritage website below for further details.
Always double-check the solstice date and visitor information with English Heritage – because it varies slightly it’s not uncommon for people to turn up on the wrong day, and they only allow open access on one day for the ceremony.
Many other sacred sites around the country also observe the solstice with ceremonies but the most well-known and populous are those at Avebury and Stonehenge.
Click here for more : https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/solstice/Winter-Solstice-2025/
and here for the English Heritage info : http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/
Photo by jetgerbil.
The reason why we know Stonehenge faces the winter solstice can be found in ‘Solving Stonehenge’
The website of English Heritage, who ‘own’ Stonehenge, is probably also worth referencing for the arrangements for Solstices and other dates.
Thanks Matt – will find the link and add it to the article when I update next!
Averil
‘OWN’ Stonehenge ? – English Heritage are the current guardians of Stonehenge. Stonehenge is ‘owned’ by the people for the people – its our heritage!
I tried to go to this, but let it too late to get in. Stonehenge was closed – there was just nowhere to put any more cars! I could see the stones from the road, and the thousands of celebrants, but had no way of getting there. I think the trick is probably to get there in good time!
Hi Averil,
Dec 22nd is a Thursday, not Tuesday??? Kind regards Tim
Thanks Tim – still had the date on for last year(oops!) and the ceremony is on Wednesday 21st this year so your timely reminder means I can put that right on the site before it happens!
Best wishes,
Averil