The winter solstice begins Dec. 21. Step out at noon. That's when your shadow will stay the longest all year. Photo by Kathy Bouchard.
It’s a celebration that’s all about light, hope, and transformation and happens this time every year. We’re not talking about Christmas. We’re talking about the winter solstice, which will take place in New Hampshire on Thursday (Dec. 21) at 10:27 p.m.
This shortest day of the year is a big deal to a lot of New Hampshire folks who know all about long, dark winters and the joy of knowing the days will just get longer from here – even if it’s just by minutes. The sun rises tomorrow in Concord at 7:14 a.m. and sets at 4:13 p.m. according to timeanddate.com That means just eight hours and 58 minutes of daylight.
The celebration of the solstice dates back to Pagan times and was referred to as the yule. Here in the Granite State, we also celebrate—a lot. This is a listing of Winter Solstice celebrations happening Thursday and Friday. If you can’t make it to an official celebration, walk outside at noon. That’s when your shadow will be the longest it will be all year.
MERRIMACK VALLEY
Winter Solstice Circle, Dec 21 – Fri, Dec 22, 19 Boston Post Rd, Amherst Winter Solstice Soirée, Dec. 21, 4 – 6 PM, Nature Conservancy, 22 Bridge St. Concord Yule! Dec. 21, 7 PM, Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, 274 Pleasant St. Concord Evening Solstice Service, Dec. 21, 6 PM, Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, 58 Lowell St., Nashua Sunset Drum Circle on Winter Solstice, Dec. 21, 3 – 4 PM, America’s Stonehenge, 105 Haverhill Rd, Salem Winter Solstice 2023 Flora Crystal Bowl Journey in Person, Thu, Dec 21 – Fri, Dec 22, 68 Stiles Rd, Salem. Winter Solstice Meditation & Sound Bath, Dec. 21, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Joyful Yoga NH, 515 Daniel Webster Hwy, Unit H, Merrimack Winter Solstice Celebration, Dec. 21, 5 – 7 PM, Henniker Farm & Country Store, 110 Bradford Rd, Henniker Winter Solstice Sound Bath and Reiki-Full, Dec. 21, 11 PM, 3 Church St, Goffstown Winter Solstice Sound Immersion, Dec.21, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Masters Self Defense-Mullaney, 54 N Mast St., Goffstown
DARTMOUTH – LAKE SUNAPEE
Shaker-Inspired Winter Solstice Dinner, Dec.21, 6:00 – 8:30 PM, Enfield Shaker Museum, 447 NH Route 4a, Enfield Winter Celebration: Music for Solstice, Christmas, and the Holidays, Dec.21, 6:30 – 8:00 PM Union Episcopal Church, 133 Old Church Rd., Claremont
WHITE MOUNTAINS
Winter Solstice Celebration, Dec. 22, 11:30 PM, 77 Riverglen Lane, Littleton Winter Solstice Dance & Drum Circle, Dec.21, 3:30 PM, Neskaya, 1643 Profile Rd., Franconia
GREAT NORTH WOODS
Winter Solstice Event, Dec.21, 6:15 – 8:30 PM, Quantum Tones Healing, 55 Maynesboro St., Berlin
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