Solstices & Equinoxes
Seasonal turning points for 2026.
December Solstice
December 21, 2026 · in 68 days
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.
The dates are the same worldwide, but which season each one begins depends on your hemisphere: a June solstice that brings summer to the north brings winter to the south. The times shown are the exact global moments in UTC.
March Equinox
June Solstice
September Equinox
- in 68 days
December Solstice
Frequently asked questions
When is the next equinox or solstice?
The next is the December Solstice on December 21, 2026, 68 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.