Thousands gather at Stonehenge to celebrate the winter solstice, marking a day of renewal and rebirth amidst the iconic stones.
Thousands Gather at Stonehenge to Celebrate Winter Solstice
About 4,500 people gathered at Stonehenge in Wiltshire to mark the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. The event was a celebration of “renewal, rebirth, and good vibes” as people from all walks of life came together to witness the sunrise over the iconic stones.
A Spiritual Draw
Despite the windy morning weather, hundreds of people followed the “spiritual draw of the area” to mark the occasion. The sun rose at approximately 08:09 GMT, greeted by cheers and applause from the crowd. Civil servant Chris Smith, who had come to Stonehenge for the first time, said that he felt a sense of community and energy among the people gathered there.
“This is all about renewal, rebirth, we’re entering into the new year, and it’s also a good time to acknowledge what’s taken place in the year that’s been,” Smith explained. “For me, I’ve gone through a bit of a tumultuous year, but this is an opportunity to consolidate everything that has taken place and move forward into the next year.”
Special Access
The ancient site opened its Monument Field at 07:45 GMT so crowds could see the sun break over the iconic stones. Usually, access for large crowds of people is prohibited, but English Heritage opens up the site for the summer and winter solstices.
Celebrations Across the Region
Stonehenge was not the only location to host winter solstice celebrations. In nearby Avebury, two men wearing cloaks blew horns as people gathered to watch the sunrise over the fields. A group of beech trees near the stone circle were also adorned with ribbons, a pagan tradition known as “wishing trees” done as prayers to the tree spirits or in memory of loved ones.
In Somerset, Glastonbury Tor saw crowds of people climbing the hill earlier this morning to mark the sun rising. The Tor is part of the ruins of the 15th Century St Michael’s Church and rises 518ft (158m) above the Somerset Levels to give a panoramic view of Wells, the Bristol Channel, Wiltshire, the Polden Hills, and Exmoor.
A Spiritual Site
Stonehenge has strong associations for people with spiritual beliefs. English Heritage’s Stonehenge director Steve Bax said that it was “fantastic” to welcome around 4,500 people to Stonehenge this morning to celebrate winter solstice. He added that over 100,000 people watched the event live online from around the world.
“It was an enjoyable and peaceful celebration despite the sun not making an appearance,” Bax said. “It was great to see so many families enjoying themselves around the monument.”
The winter solstice marks the beginning of longer days as the nights slowly start to draw back again. Stonehenge won’t see crowds like this again until June 21, 2025, when it will host another summer solstice celebration.
