Solstices & Equinoxes
Exact equinox and solstice dates from 2026 through 2030.
December Solstice
December 21, 2026 · in 66 days
UTC: 8:50 PM UTCLocal:
Next: December Solstice on December 21, 2026
At the December solstice the Sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky, giving the Southern Hemisphere its longest day and the Northern its shortest. It marks the start of winter in the north and summer in the south, after which northern days slowly begin to lengthen again.
Calendar dates are the same worldwide, but which season each event begins depends on your hemisphere: a June solstice that brings summer to the north brings winter to the south.
What this means for travel
Day length and season shape the weather you actually get: long daylight and warmer patterns after the June solstice in the north, short days and colder air after the December solstice. Use the dates above to pick when you go, then check an Airpult forecast for the place.
Times are shown in UTC and in your local clock time.
| Northern Hemisphere | Southern Hemisphere | |
|---|---|---|
| March Equinox | Spring | Autumn |
| June Solstice | Summer | Winter |
| September Equinox | Autumn | Spring |
| December Solstice | Winter | Summer |
March Equinox
March 20, 2026
UTC: ·Local:
Spring / Autumn
June Solstice
June 21, 2026
UTC: ·Local:
Summer / Winter
September Equinox
September 23, 2026
UTC: ·Local:
Autumn / Spring
- in 66 days
December Solstice
December 21, 2026
UTC: ·Local:
Winter / Summer
- in 155 days
March Equinox
March 20, 2027
UTC: ·Local:
Spring / Autumn
- in 247 days
June Solstice
June 21, 2027
UTC: ·Local:
Summer / Winter
- in 341 days
September Equinox
September 23, 2027
UTC: ·Local:
Autumn / Spring
- in 431 days
December Solstice
December 22, 2027
UTC: ·Local:
Winter / Summer
- in 520 days
March Equinox
March 20, 2028
UTC: ·Local:
Spring / Autumn
- in 613 days
June Solstice
June 20, 2028
UTC: ·Local:
Summer / Winter
- in 706 days
September Equinox
September 22, 2028
UTC: ·Local:
Autumn / Spring
- in 796 days
December Solstice
December 21, 2028
UTC: ·Local:
Winter / Summer
- in 885 days
March Equinox
March 20, 2029
UTC: ·Local:
Spring / Autumn
- in 978 days
June Solstice
June 21, 2029
UTC: ·Local:
Summer / Winter
- in 1072 days
September Equinox
September 22, 2029
UTC: ·Local:
Autumn / Spring
- in 1161 days
December Solstice
December 21, 2029
UTC: ·Local:
Winter / Summer
- in 1250 days
March Equinox
March 20, 2030
UTC: ·Local:
Spring / Autumn
- in 1343 days
June Solstice
June 21, 2030
UTC: ·Local:
Summer / Winter
- in 1437 days
September Equinox
September 22, 2030
UTC: ·Local:
Autumn / Spring
- in 1527 days
December Solstice
December 21, 2030
UTC: ·Local:
Winter / Summer
Related astronomy
Plan around the weather
Explore forecasts and climate guides for destinations worldwide to match your trip with the season you want.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next equinox or solstice?
The next is the December Solstice on December 21, 2026, 66 days from now.
What is an equinox?
An equinox is one of the two moments each year when the Sun sits directly above the equator, so day and night are almost equal in length everywhere on Earth. They fall around 20 March and 22 September.
What is a solstice?
A solstice is one of the two moments each year when the Sun reaches its furthest point north or south, producing the year's longest and shortest days. They fall around 21 June and 21 December.
Why are seasons opposite in the two hemispheres?
Earth is tilted on its axis. When the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, it receives more direct sunlight and experiences summer while the south tilts away and has winter. Six months later the situation reverses.
How do astronomical seasons differ from meteorological seasons?
Meteorological seasons start on the first day of March, June, September, and December for easy weather record-keeping. Astronomical seasons begin at the equinoxes and solstices, when the Sun's position defines the change.
Why does daylight length change through the year?
Day length depends on how long the Sun stays above the horizon at your latitude. Near solstices the tilt of Earth makes days much longer or shorter; near equinoxes day and night are nearly equal everywhere except the poles.
Why are solstice and equinox times given in UTC?
The instant of each equinox or solstice is a single global moment. UTC is the standard reference so everyone can convert to local time. The calendar date can differ by one day near the International Date Line.