Here’s Exactly How To Celebrate The Upcoming Winter Solstice 2026
let the night in
By Victoria Lewis | 12th June 2026‘Twas the shortest day of the year, and all across the land, people were busy celebrating the night, cosying up to loved ones, dancing the night away, and setting intentions as the winter solstice marks another year around the sun.
Across cultures throughout time and space, the winter solstice marks a significant milestone in the year, often associated with renewal, a fresh start, and, in some ancient cultures, light winning over dark. This year, the winter solstice will sweep across the Southern Hemisphere on Sunday, 21 June 2026, as the day when our patch of the Earth tilts the farthest from the Sun.
Let’s spend some time answering all your winter solstice questions, from what it actually is to how you should celebrate it both in your own home and with events around Australia.
What is the winter solstice?
Simply put, the winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Dipping our toe into scientific waters for a second, this means that the Earth’s tilt on its axis results in the Southern Hemisphere being the furthest away from the sun, and therefore exposed to the least light.
Not to be confused with the coldest day of the year, the winter solstice is the astronomical first day of winter, based on the Earth’s physical position, not the temperature of the calendar year. Each pocket of the earth celebrates the occasion in different ways.
What are the ancient winter solstice traditions?
There is no denying that the winter solstice was a pretty significant annual milestone in many ancient cultures. Where the ancient citizens of England marked the sun’s course with Stonehenge, and ancient Egyptians built the temple of Karnak to align with the shortest day, the winter solstice is a moment that has captivated cultures for centuries.
In Japan, the winter solstice, called Toji, is marked with the tradition of taking a fragrant yuzu bath. Popularised in Japan’s Edo (present-day Tokyo) period, the act of bathing in the East Asian citrus fruit was not only a way to soothe the mind and body, but a ritual believed to attract good fortune. attract good fortune.
In Scandinavian cultures, Yule or Juul is one of the earliest instances of a winter solstice festival where ancient people welcomed the return of the sun god. Early details are largely speculation, but are widely believed to be centred around the themes of fire, light, and feasting. Remnants of this ancient tradition have continued into the modern day, with St. Lucy’s Day, an annual festival of light that also marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
How should I celebrate the winter solstice?
When it comes to celebrating the winter solstice in your own home in 2026, there are plenty of anecdotes about how people like to mark the occasion. Not only an astronomical milestone, but a symbolic one for many, the winter solstice can be a great time to refresh your slate and to set intentions for a new chapter. Popular rituals include doing some quiet and reflective journaling, lighting a candle at dusk, taking a restorative warm bath (inspired by Japanese tradition), or simply embracing the longer evening with a hot meal surrounded by loved ones.
Of course, the winter solstice also comes along with many ways to celebrate outside the house, with cultural festivals that happen around Australia and the world.
What are the winter solstice events in 2026?
In Australia, possibly the most culturally relevant event linked to the winter solstice is Hobart’s Dark Mofo. An epic 11-day celebration of culture, arts, music, and food, Dark Mofo is also about bringing light to Hobart’s darkest nights (literally), through vibrant installations and events. The most renowned and symbolic of them all is the famous solstice swim, an annual nudie run at Long Beach where participants strip down and gallop into freezing-cold waters at sunrise, welcoming back the light after the longest night. Keen to hear more about Dark Mofo? Click here for the full rundown.
Meanwhile, in Brisbane, Windsor’s Winter Solstice Festival will bring a day of music, markets, bonfire and festivities to Northey Street City Farm on Saturday 27 June. A fitting celebration of the seasons that includes a lantern parade, inspiring workshops and panel discussions, alongside food and a family-friendly community atmosphere from 2pm – 10pm.
The beloved West End markets at Davies Park will also mark the occasion with a special twilight market on June 19, where roving live music acts and over 150 vibrant stalls will light up the night from 4pm to 10pm.
Make your own traditions
The bottom line is this: the winter solstice can mean whatever you want it to mean in terms of how to celebrate. It can be a time for reflection, reset, or a bit of a pick-me-up, knowing it will soon not be so dark on your commute home from work. Let the countdown begin.
Imagery: @dark_mofo / Death to Stock by Jelly Luise / Dupe @aurora-camile
