Winter solstice
The winter solstice is the day of the year with the fewest hours of daylight. In the northern hemisphere this date falls in December every year.
In 2025 the winter solstice will occur on Sunday 21 December.
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* See our INSPIRATIONS - winter for activity ideas in the winter months.
* Visit the Weather & the Seasons section of the Muddy Faces shop
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See also
Making the Most of Winter in the Woods - Woodland Classroom
What’s the winter solstice? | National Geographic Kids
The Best Winter Solstice Facts For Kids (Free PDF) | KidMinds
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Why is the winter solstice the shortest day of the year?
The apparent position of the Sun in the sky changes throughout the year. During the summer months it rises higher in the sky and is above the horizon for longer. In the winter the Sun's position is lower and its time in the sky is shorter.
This variation happens because the Earth orbits at an angle: it is tilted 23.4 degrees on its axis.
During summer in the northern hemisphere the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, and therefore this part of the Earth receives more direct sunlight and longer daylight hours. During winter in the northern hemisphere the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in fewer daylight hours.
This animation shows how the tilt of the Earth's axis influences the seasons. For more great astronomy explainers and resources, check out the Royal Observatory's schools pages.
The winter solstice occurs at the point when this tilt away is at its maximum and the Sun is lowest in the sky. This is what gives us the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
If you're in the southern hemisphere the opposite is true: in December the South Pole is tilted towards the Sun, making it summertime 'Down Under'.