Thousands cheer as sun rises on winter solstice at Stonehenge
Crowds gathered before dawn at the prehistoric circle in southwest England to mark the winter solstice, the start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Thousands of people gathered before dawn Sunday at Stonehenge to greet the winter solstice, the start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The field around the prehistoric circle in southwest England was a sea of coats, scarves and costumes as crowds waited in the cold and dark for sunrise. When the first light crept over the horizon, supporters cheered, drums beat, and some sang while others paused for quiet reflection among the towering stones. For many, the ceremony is more than a photo opportunity—it is a rite of renewal that links a modern audience with a site that has stood for thousands of years.
Stonehenge is believed to have been erected between 5,000 and 3,500 years ago, built to align with the solstices and the sun's annual journey across the sky. The arrangement of massive sarsen stones and lintels was designed to capture the sun’s light at key moments in the agricultural calendar, a witness to how ancient communities marked planting, harvests and communal rituals. The winter solstice marks the point at which the sun makes its shortest, lowest arc of the year; after the solstice, the days gradually lengthen. In the Southern Hemisphere, by contrast, Sunday is the longest day and summer has begun.
Attendees described a mix of exhilaration and quiet reverence as they circled the stones, some sharing stories while others kept a respectful distance to observe the moment of sunrise. The gathering has long drawn travelers from around the United Kingdom and beyond, with many choosing to arrive early and linger after sunrise to absorb the stillness and the symbolism of the dawn at one of Britain's most iconic landmarks. Local authorities typically advise visitors about parking and safety, but the event remains a largely open, community-driven tradition that has endured despite changing times.
As in past years, the winter solstice at Stonehenge blends history and spectacle with personal reflection, a reminder that the solstice remains a universal moment of transition. For participants, the pale light splashing across the circle signals not just an astronomical event but a hopeful sign that days will begin to lengthen again. And while the northern ceremony is the best-known version, the solstice’s resonance travels beyond borders, as people around the globe observe different celebrations tied to the sun’s cycle and the changing year.