The Days Are About To Get Longer
Happy Winter Solstice!
It’s almost here! Saturday (Dec. 21) marks Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The shortest day and longest night of the year.
Throughout history, different cultures have observed Winter Solstice with festivals, ceremonies and rituals. For us, this annual shift in seasons is worth taking time to mark.
Why? Winter Solstice means the days will (slowly) start to get longer. You’ve done it! You’ve made it through the darkest days of winter. More sunlight is on the way!
In six months, the days will have a lot more sunlight than this Saturday. A lot! There is nearly nine more hours of sunlight on Summer Solstice in June, compared to Winter Solstice.
So, take some time this Saturday to acknowledge the shortest day of the year. We’ve seen some local events to mark the occasion, including a family-friendly lantern walk, forest bathing and concerts.
Whether it’s a formal event with others, a moonlit ski, a solo walk around your block or a backyard fire, honour the fact Saturday is the day with the fewest hours of daylight. More sunlight is on the way!
We love living in a place with such distinct seasons and temperatures. How boring would it be if it was always warm and sunny? We’re currently enjoying the cross-country/backcountry/downhill ski season while already starting to think about summer backpack and camping trips (PSA: National Park resos open in January.)
We’re looking forward to lots more adventures in 2025 and will be back in your inboxes in the New Year. Have a wonderful holiday season! Thanks so much for reading Go Outside, and if you’ve enjoyed our newsletter this year, please share it with a friend.
