Winter Solstice: Celebrations Around the World
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The Winter Solstice is an important time of year for many cultures around the world. Falling on Dec. 21st or 22nd* in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is at its furthest away from the equator marking the shortest day (by daylight) of the year. The winter solstice signifies the ‘return of the sun’ and the beginning of longer, brighter days ahead. For thousands of years, cultures around the world have recognized this important celestial event as a day of celebration, ritual and tradition.
Many solstice traditions of the past have influenced holidays we celebrate now, including Christmas and Hanukkah. While some of these traditions have faded over time, certain cultures – including many Indigenous peoples in Canada – are reclaiming and revitalizing their unique traditions. The holiday season can be a great time for us all to learn about new traditions and build a connection with communities who are different from our own.
Why is the Winter Solstice Significant?
Events like the solstice are important reminders of our interconnectedness to the natural world. Indigenous values teach us the importance of respecting our place in the ecosystem and honouring these natural cycles of the universe. “In understanding the interconnectedness of all things, we recognize that the cosmos – the sun, moon, stars, and other planets – affect us and connect us in undeniable ways.”1
Tourism Yukon / Justin Kennedy
The winter solstice is seen as a time of deep reflection, of spiritual, mental, and physical self-care, and a time to care for our loved ones as we prepare for the longer days ahead.
For many Indigenous cultures, winter is also a time to connect with the spirits of the past – to reflect on and thank our ancestors, share stories with our community, and honour our origins.2
How is the Winter Solstice Celebrated?
For the Inuit across the Arctic of Canada, Alaska, and Greenland, the sun is a scarce resource in the winter months, giving more reason for a celebration around the winter solstice. Called “Tiqqiq Arviq”, or ‘return of the sun’, the occasion calls for community feasts, traditional games and activities like ice fishing.
For the Blackfoot First Nation in Southern Alberta, similar celebrations focus on games, community dances, and feasts.
In Scandinavia, they celebrate the Feast of Juul – the origin of the world ‘Yule’, meaning ‘winter holiday season’. Fires are lit to symbolize the heat and light of the returning Sun, along with the ceremonial burning of the Yule log over 12 nights as a tribute to the Norse god Thor.2
In China, the festival Dongzhi, or the ‘arrival of winter’, is an end-of-harvest festival marked with a celebration of food and time spent with family. Other winter solstice celebrations include Szczodre Gody in Poland, Yalda in Iran, Chawmos in Pakistan, and the Fiesta de Santo Tomás in Guatemala.
A Time of Reflection, Connection, and Rest
While the names may vary, the essence of winter solstice celebrations around the World all centre around connecting with loved ones, reflecting on the past and setting intentions for the year ahead, and honouring our connection to the natural world.
These events are also an opportunity to learn about other cultures and build connections across diverse communities. Do you have friends who celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, for example? Take the time to ask what makes this season special to them. How can you create a sense of community with your neighbours, and bring more light to this winter season?
Our Solstice wishes for you:
- Take it slow. Check in with your health and wellbeing
- Reconnect with friends and family. Check in on each other. Share a meal.
- Clean your home and declutter – start the year fresh.
- Get out in nature. Take note of the sun and your natural surroundings. Have a campfire.
- Take time to reflect on the year. What are you most grateful for, and excited about in 2025?
Next read – Chasing the Light: Your Guide to the 2025 Solar Maximum in the Yukon.
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
~ Pam McGarel
Founder & CEO, Mosaic Earth Travel
Planning travel in 2025? We specialize in bespoke, small-group tours in British Columbia and the Yukon, including guided road trips, custom self-drive tours, and winter Northern Lights adventures.
*In 2024, the Winter Solstice occurs on 21st December 1:19am PT.
This post was originally published December 19, 2023.
