The shortest day of the year, also known as the winter solstice, falls on Dec. 21, 2025, and it has become a meaningful reason to travel. More people are planning trips around this moment, choosing places where the sun sits low, shadows stretch long and the season feels like something you can watch shift in real time. Desert trails in the United States draw sunset watchers, while ancient sites overseas welcome travelers gathering for a sunrise that feels most dramatic on this single morning.
The northern lights in Norway. Photo credit: Depositphotos.
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These trips fall into the quietest stretch of the travel calendar, giving visitors more room to explore without the usual crowds. For many, that is part of the appeal. Winter landscapes feel different when you are not competing for space, and planning a December getaway often comes with simpler logistics and calmer routes.
Winter adventure travel grows
Around the solstice, long nights and steady conditions open the door to a different kind of cold-weather adventure. Travelers who plan trips during this window often look for experiences that align with the season itself, including snowshoe routes lit by early sunsets, guided night hikes and backcountry cabins that feel tucked away once daylight disappears.
In the U.S., regions like Colorado and Utah attract visitors who want to experience winter beyond the ski lifts. Farther north, Canada draws travelers seeking northern lights trips and remote lodges that rely on the deep darkness surrounding the solstice. Younger travelers are helping drive this shift by choosing experiences that feel natural to the season.
Solstice trips favor desert views
Desert landscapes see a noticeable uptick during solstice week as travelers seek clear horizons and long, low-angle sunsets. Winter light sharpens the colors along cliffs and canyons, turning rock formations gold and rust just before the sun drops.
Photographers and stargazers often stay out well into the evening because desert skies remain crisp and clear long after sunset. Around Phoenix, Lost Dutchman State Park offers open views of the Superstition Mountains. In Sedona, Slide Rock State Park draws steady sunset watchers, and near Tucson, Picacho Peak State Park provides a clean vantage point toward its twin ridges in deepening evening light.
Winter traditions at Stonehenge
At Stonehenge, the winter solstice is one of the year’s most anticipated moments. Visitors gather before dawn to watch the sun rise above the stones, a scene tied to centuries of seasonal ritual. Some tours include time in nearby Salisbury, where medieval streets and long-running markets help round out the morning.
The crowd often includes members of Druid and pagan communities, who treat the solstice as a key point on their calendar. Travelers who join the group gain limited access to areas of the site that are normally closed to the public, which adds a sense of ceremony to the early morning gathering.
Night skies in Iceland
Iceland draws strong winter interest during the weeks surrounding the solstice as travelers book guided trips designed for long nights and clear-air viewing. Tour operators plan itineraries based on local forecasts and real-time conditions, moving groups toward areas where the aurora is most likely to appear. Many packages pair nighttime viewing with daytime excursions so visitors can experience more of the country while waiting for the lights.
Perks of winter getaways
Solstice travel also shows some of winter’s quieter advantages. Lookout points feel calmer, major destinations are easier to navigate and budgets often go further because of lower seasonal demand. Cooler temperatures make scenic stops more comfortable, and lighter traffic helps travelers cover more ground in a single day.
The solstice brings moments that happen only in December, whether it is a sunrise aligned with ancient stones, a desert canyon lit with bright winter color or a night sky clear enough for the northern lights. These experiences broaden the possibilities of winter travel.
A new winter travel marker
Solstice-focused trips give travelers a fresh way to think about the off-season. Destinations are beginning to focus on experiences that stand out in late December, and as interest grows, this brief window is becoming an increasingly meaningful part of winter tourism.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.
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