Did you know that some of the oldest human-made structures on Earth align precisely with the rising sun on the summer ...

People are marking the start of the winter and summer solstices across the globe. North of the equator, celebrations welcome ...

The winter solstice coincides with several pagan, pre-Christmas holidays and traditions, including but not limited to Germanic Yule, Punjabi Lohri, and Roman Saturnalia.

These winter festivities are among the oldest of all human traditions. It would be a shame to give them up now.

The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, happens on Saturday, Dec. 21, and is marked with traditions and celebrations around the world.

The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, happens on Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Northern Hemisphere. The celestial event signifies the first day of winter, astronomically.

Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the official first day of winter, is on Saturday, December 21, this year (well, for the vast bulk of the world’s population anyway).

In that context, darkness can feel oppressive, and on the winter solstice, darkness is at its peak. “Sometimes, our lives can feel like the longest night of the year,” said Smith.

There’s an old Chinese saying that “Winter Solstice is as big as the new year” (冬至大如年, Dōngzhì dà rú nián). Celebrating Dongzhi —which literally means “winter’s arrival ...

The winter solstice coincides with several pagan, pre-Christmas holidays and traditions, including but not limited to Germanic Yule, Punjabi Lohri, and Roman Saturnalia.