When and What Is the Summer Solstice?
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. Solstices are opposite on either side of the equator, so the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa.
Earth's position in space at June solstice.
© timeanddate.com
Northern Hemisphere Summer Solstice
(North America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Northern Africa)
June Solstice in San Francisco, California, USA is on
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 2:13 am PDT (Change city)
- Sunrise, sunset and day length around June Solstice 2022
- Countdown to June Solstice 2022 in San Francisco, California, USA
June Solstice in Universal Coordinated Time is on
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 09:13 UTC
- Local times for June Solstice 2022 worldwide
- Day and Night map for June Solstice 2022
- Equinoxes and solstices from 2000–2049
Southern Hemisphere Summer Solstice
(Australia, New Zealand, South America, Southern Africa)
December Solstice in San Francisco, California, USA is on
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 7:59 am PST (Change city)
- Sunrise, sunset and day length around December Solstice 2021
- Countdown to December Solstice 2021 in San Francisco, California, USA
December Solstice in Universal Coordinated Time is on
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 15:59 UTC
- Local times for December Solstice 2021 worldwide
- Day and Night map for December Solstice 2021
- Equinoxes and solstices from 2000–2049
Is It the First Day of Summer?
Sunrise at Stonehenge at Summer Solstice.
©iStockphoto.com/AndyRoland
'Solstice' (Latin: 'solstitium') means 'sun-stopping', because the point where the sun appears to rise and set, stops and reverses direction after this day
The first day of spring, summer, fall and winter can either be defined using astronomical events like solstices and equinoxes, or they can be determined based on meteorological factors, such as average temperatures.
Over the centuries, the June solstice has inspired countless festivals, midsummer celebrations and religious holidays.
One of the world's oldest evidence of the summer solstice's importance in culture is Stonehenge in England, a megalithic structure which clearly marks the moment of the June solstice.