From Antarctica to China, find out how the winter solstice is celebrated in different parts of the world—with unique traditions each year.
The winter solstice—or the longest night of the year—is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on December 21 or 22—and in the Southern hemisphere, it falls on June 20 or 21. Since the ancient era, people from across the globe have recognized and honored this significant astronomical event and even celebrated the ensuing “return” of the Sun in unique ways. The ancient solstice traditions have largely shaped the holidays we celebrate now—like Hanukkah and Christmas. Let us take a moment to explore how winter solstice is celebrated in different cultures, lighting up your path to longer days.
The modern traditions of Christmas celebrations are closely related to Saturnalia—the ancient Roman holiday. Saturnalia marked the end of the planting season and was celebrated around the occurrence of winter solstice. The people celebrated for many days, and they arranged several games, gift-giving rituals, and grand feasts were also organized. During the celebration of Saturnalia—the social hierarchy would be reversed—and slaves didn’t have to labor and were treated like equals by their masters.
Solstice celebrations are a thing in Antarctica too—and it is observed as a festival due to the researchers and scientists who spend the very long, deadly cold season in the frigid zone. In the southern hemisphere, people celebrate midwinter, while in the northern hemisphere, people enjoy the longest day of the year. To celebrate the winter solstice, locals prepare special meals, exchange gifts and perhaps watch films together—as a part of the festivities.
In northern Arizona, the Hopi Indians celebrate Soyal—to honor the winter solstice. The rituals and ceremonies include dancing, purification, and also exchanging gifts. During the solstice, Hopi Indians welcome protective spirits (the kachinas) from the mountains. They craft prayer sticks and use them for blessings and various other rituals.
Inti Raymi is celebrated during the June solstice and not December. But for the people of Peru, it is the winter solstice. This ancient Incan celebration honors the Sun god. Inti Raymi was originally celebrated in the ancient Inca civilization—long before the Spanish conquests. The ancient festivities made arrangements for feasts and some traditional holy rituals were also carried out. However, after the arrival of the Spaniards, they banned the celebration of Inti Raymi, but the festival was revived in the 20th century.
Shab-e Yalda or Yalda is a Persian festival—celebrated in Iran—to honor the winter solstice, and it originated in ancient times. It is celebrated on the last day of Azar (the Persian month). Traditionally, Yalda is viewed as the triumph of light over dark—and it also marks the birthday of Mithra, the sun god. Families celebrate this festival together by preparing special meals, and some even avoid sleeping all night to greet the morning sun.
In Scandinavia, St. Lucia’s Day is lauded as the festival of lights—and is celebrated around the winter solstice. Even though the festival was not created to honor the Christian martyr St. Lucia, it embodies some ancient Norse solstice traditions which include—lighting fire to repel spirits during the longest night of the year.
Dong Zhi is a prominent Chinese festival that gathers families to celebrate together. According to the traditional Chinese celestial calendar, Dong Zhi typically arrives between December 21 and 23 every year. The festival had started to celebrate the end of harvest, and laborers would return home from the fields and share the produce with their families. During this festival, people prepare and enjoy traditional meals like tang yuan or sticky rice balls.
Humans identified this astronomical event during ancient times and have been celebrating the return of the Sun by following different historical and unique cultural customs.
