The winter solstice on Dec. 21 draws people to events that happen only during the longest night of the year. Sunrise rituals and evening festivals around the world give the day an energy that people often do not find in most winter celebrations. Many travelers plan full itineraries around those gatherings so they can experience solstice moments unique to certain locations.
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As the winter solstice approaches, sunrise in ancient stone chambers and sunset at landmark circles create scenes that people look forward to all year. Lantern events and family traditions keep the day lively, giving travelers a reason to explore new winter destinations.
Ireland’s gateway to winter light
In Ireland’s Boyne Valley, Newgrange stands as the most recognized monument among the ancient passage tombs in the area. Its interior corridor and central chamber face the rising sun, catching the first light of midwinter for several mornings around Dec. 21. A narrow opening above the entrance directs the sunlight deep inside, sending a bright beam across the stone chamber for several minutes when the weather cooperates.
For the people who built this structure more than five thousand years ago, the return of the sun meant renewal at the start of a new year. The season brought hope for crops, animals and human life, reminding people that darkness would always give way to light.
Tracking seasons at Stonehenge
Stonehenge draws visitors on the shortest day of the year to watch the sun drop past its towering stones. Its builders positioned the structure to match the movement of the sun, and during the winter solstice, the sunset lines up with the southwest of the circle, creating a clear path of light as it falls toward the horizon.
The people who built it relied on farming and herding, so tracking the changing seasons helped them prepare for the colder months. When daylight reached its lowest point, this alignment likely served as a sign that longer days would return, giving a sense of stability during a time when winter brought uncertainty.
Toji’s solstice rituals
Japan observes winter’s shortest day with toji, a period tied to the idea that darkness begins to lift and energy starts to return with the sun. Rather than loud gatherings, the day takes shape through quiet habits meant to warm the body and support health as colder weather sets in.
Households may fill hot baths with citrus for fragrance and comfort, cook sweet or savory dishes meant to energize or visit temples to seek good fortune for the season ahead. These simple routines give the solstice a reset-like feel, bringing warmth, optimism and a sense of renewal as daylight slowly begins to grow again.
Celebrate light in Vancouver
Vancouver welcomes Dec. 21 with a lantern festival that brings color and movement across the city. The annual celebration invites residents and visitors to recognize the longest night through workshops and community gatherings.
Families, students and neighborhood groups often craft lanterns before joining evening routes that wind through parks and streets. Crowds move together toward common meeting spots, where live music, fire performers and dance groups set a lively tone once they arrive. With light at the center of the celebration, the solstice becomes a shared experience built around art and togetherness.
Family traditions during Dongzhi
China observes the winter solstice through Dongzhi, a seasonal festival that usually falls on Dec. 20 or 21 and signals the arrival of winter. Families gather to welcome this shift with customs that connect food, health and tradition.
Many households prepare dumplings, ginger rice or rice wine, treating them as warming foods for the cold season ahead. People also honor ancestors by placing incense and prepared dishes near family tablets, expressing thanks and asking for good fortune in the coming year.
Some communities follow routines that count the days after the solstice, giving winter a structured beginning. These customs give Dongzhi a strong sense of continuity through shared meals and family traditions.
Experiences centered on seasonal wonder
Travelers who visit a destination during its most meaningful season often find themselves stepping into rituals that appear only at that time of year. Solstice trips fit into that category, especially when visitors gather before sunrise or wait for sunset as a shared event. Watching the light shift together turns a crowd into participants instead of people simply passing through.
The timing shapes the pace of the trip as well. Planning around sunrise or nightfall encourages visitors to slow down and schedule less. Because a solstice arrives only once a year, the experience carries a sense of rarity that feels more intentional than checking off another stop on a travel list.
Winter solstice as a living tradition
Travelers who seek winter solstice events witness traditions unfold in real time rather than just hearing about them. They observe communities track the passage of light through astronomy, rising sun angles and rituals tied directly to the change in daylight. Trips to places that honor these patterns support the customs that keep them going, allowing tourism to help preserve practices that still matter today.
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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