How to plan a mindful winter solstice celebration

Personal Growth

Nov 24

Written By Calm Editorial Team

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

The winter solstice is a great time to reflect and set intentions. Learn what this celebration is all about, and 7 rituals to spark gratitude and welcome the return of light.

During the winter months, evenings rush in earlier, the sun rises later, and if you’re in the northern hemisphere, winter days can become a blur of holiday celebrations and unending to-do lists. For many, this stretch of darkness may bring fatigue, seasonal depression, or a longing to just curl up on the couch until spring arrives. For others, this season brings a type of relief as the extra darkness can give a rare permission to pause and relax.

In that way, the winter solstice—the longest night of the year—marks a time of peak rest. And if you enjoy the cozy, restful vibes, you might opt to honor this time with a winter solstice celebration. Rooted in centuries of ritual and reflection, this time can be an opportunity to honor both the quiet darkness and the slow season. And instead of rushing toward resolutions or year-end checklists, the solstice presents a chance to set a different kind of goal — one that encourages slowing down, breathing, and staying in the moment.

However you honor it, a mindful winter solstice celebration is meant to be about intention and a way to reconnect with your own internal rhythm before stepping into the next chapter. Let’s explore how to plan a mindful winter solstice celebration that can be enjoyed with a group or even by yourself.

What is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice marks the exact moment when the hemisphere tilts farthest from the sun, creating the shortest day and longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, this falls on Dec. 21, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it occurs on June 20. It’s a natural point in the year to stop and pause as the light begins its slow return.

People have honored this shift for thousands of years. Ancient sites like Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland were built to align with the solstice sunrise, capturing the first light after the longest night. Across various cultures, it’s seen as a time to gather with loved ones around a bonfire, share food, and acknowledge the natural rhythms of the environment.

Why do we celebrate the solstice?

At its core, the winter solstice celebration has always been about connection to nature, to community, and to something larger than ourselves. In early societies, these gatherings were cornerstones of their culture. Bonfires, feasts, and shared stories offered time for connection, nourishment, and reassurance that the light would soon return.

That impulse to gather and celebrate hasn’t disappeared over the years, even if our celebrations may have evolved since then. While we may not rely on firelight for survival, we still crave the comfort of togetherness, especially during dark or busy seasons of life.

Solstice celebrations today reflect that same human need for connection and meaning. Lighting a candle at dinner, cooking a slow and intentional meal with loved ones, or simply turning off the screens and noticing the quiet of the night.

Why does the winter solstice invite reflection and gratitude?

Psychologically, darkness invites stillness and self-awareness. It gives permission to stop striving and start listening to your own rhythms.

When nights stretch long and energy dips low, it’s natural to turn inward. The winter solstice offers space for reflection — to consider what no longer serves you, what you’re grateful for, and what you’re aiming for in the next season.

Many people mark the solstice by journaling, lighting candles for loved ones, or simply sitting in stillness. Some meditate. Some dance. Some opt for larger gatherings while others prefer alone time.

By acknowledging both the light and dark—within ourselves and in the world—we practice balance. And, in doing so, we prepare ourselves for whatever kind of light comes next.

How to create a winter solstice celebration: 7 midwinter rituals

A winter solstice celebration doesn’t need to be complicated or mystical. What matters most is the intention to pause, acknowledge where you are, and what you’re bringing into your life with the return of the light.

Whether you spend the evening alone, with close friends, or surrounded by family, these rituals offer simple yet meaningful ways to mark the turning of the season.

1. Light a candle or lantern ritual

Lighting candles is one of the oldest ways to honor the solstice, symbolizing hope and the slow return of sunlight. You can make this ritual as simple or symbolic as you like.

If you’re alone, light one candle in a quiet room and take a few deep breaths. As you watch the flame, reflect on what the light represents for you this year. Is it gratitude? Resilience? The will to keep going?

If you’re gathering with others, invite each person to light their own candle and share one thing they’re thankful for. Turn off overhead lights, let the room glow softly, and notice how warmth builds both from the flames and from the presence of others.

2. Share stories or memories

Storytelling has always been a way to pass through the darker times together. It connects people of all backgrounds and ages, offers perspective, and helps us feel seen and heard.

Around a dinner table or fireplace, take turns sharing one memory from the past year or season that felt meaningful or unexpected. It could be a moment of joy, a challenge that you overcame, or something small that shifted your outlook on life.

For a solo version of this exercise, record a voice note or write a letter to yourself about what you’ve learned this year. Maybe you’ll reread it next solstice to see what’s evolved.

3. Write and release

The solstice is often seen as a time to release what no longer serves us, from habits to expectations or even emotional clutter that weighs us down. Writing can be a powerful way to do this.

Start by journaling freely about what you’d like to leave behind as the season begins. Then, if it feels right, tear the page as a symbolic act of release. If that feels too ceremonial for you or you’re uncomfortable with the idea, simply close your notebook and take a slow breath to mark the letting go.

4. Cook or share a solstice feast

Food is a universal language of celebration and togetherness. A solstice feast doesn’t need to be expensive or intricate, because this celebration is about nourishment, not presentation.

Cook something warm and hearty like a soup, roasted vegetables, bread, or anything that brings comfort. Make a table centerpiece with candlelight or a lantern to amp up the cozy vibe. If you’re sharing the meal with others, invite everyone to bring one dish that reminds them of home or brings them comfort.

If you’re celebrating alone, turn it into a sensory ritual by playing soft music, eating slowly and mindfully, and savoring the act of caring for yourself through food and nourishment. It’s a reminder that sustenance—both literal and emotional—comes from simple acts practiced with intention.

Related read: How to practice mindful cooking

5. Reflect and set intentions

Instead of resolutions, which can feel rigid or pressured, set intentions that speak to how you want to feel or move through the year ahead. Or you can reflect on all that you did that felt like enough.

Maybe you choose to reflect on these intentions or actions by candlelight after your meal, using the quiet of the night to imagine how you want those qualities to take root in your life moving forward.

💙 Need help? Join Jay Shetty in this guided meditation on the Calm app about The Power of Reflection.

6. Step outside into the night

Connecting with nature during the solstice can deepen your sense of presence and connection to the world around you. Even just a few minutes outdoors can be grounding.

Bundle up and step outside after sunset. Look at the sky and notice the stars, the clouds, or the soft glow of the streetlights, and make a note of how still the world around you feels. Maybe you take a short walk, breathe the fresh air, or simply stand still for a moment.

This practice of stepping outside and noticing the world around you reconnects you with something larger than yourself, which can act as a powerful reminder that even in darkness, there is movement and renewal.

7. Create a gratitude space or light altar

You don’t need to be spiritual to create a small space for gratitude or even to practice it. Gather a few meaningful objects, like candles, flowers, photos, stones, or handwritten notes from loved ones and arrange them in a simple display on your kitchen counter or even your nightstand.

Each item can represent something you’re grateful for or want to honor. You can keep the altar up for a few days or take it down after the solstice as a symbolic release.

The act of intentionally creating a gratitude space or practice during a dark season can help anchor your attention and restore a sense of calm.

💙 Bring the gratitude into your bedtime routine during this Unwind with Gratitude meditation in the Calm app.

Winter solstice celebration FAQs

What does the winter solstice celebrate?

The winter solstice celebrates the shortest day and longest night of the year, marking the turning point toward longer, lighter days.

It’s both an astronomical and symbolic event — a time to recognize the balance between darkness and light and rest and renewal. Across cultures, people have used this moment to honor the cycles of nature and to remind themselves that even the coldest, darkest season carries the promise of light.

Whether you mark it with candlelight, reflection, or a shared meal, the winter solstice is a celebration of hope, endurance, and the quiet strength it takes to move through winter and trust in what comes next.

What are mindful ways to set intentions during the winter solstice?

Mindful intention-setting focuses on how you want to feel or live, not on fixed goals or resolutions.

You might begin by journaling about what brought you peace or growth this year, then write down one or two themes you’d like to carry forward using words like balance, connection, or clarity. Light a candle as you reflect, or keep those words somewhere visible as a reminder.

Intentions are most powerful when they’re simple, personal, and realistic. The solstice is an ideal time to plant them, knowing the light will grow day by day. If it feels like too much to think of more goals, try reflecting on what you’ve already achieved that you’re proud of.

Can I celebrate the winter solstice alone?

Yes, some of the most meaningful solstice rituals are done solo. If you’re craving solitude, think of the solstice as a built-in permission slip to pause. You could spend the evening journaling, cooking a favorite meal, lighting a single candle, or taking a slow walk under the night sky.

Being alone doesn’t mean being disconnected. It’s a way to reconnect with yourself before the year begins again. The solstice reminds us that stillness is a fertile space for renewal.

Do people in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate the winter solstice too?

Yes. In the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs around June 20-21, marking the point in the year when those regions experience their shortest day and longest night.

The meaning of the celebration remains the same: reflection, gratitude, and renewal. While the timing differs, people everywhere can honor the solstice as a moment to slow down, take stock of their lives, and reconnect with the cycles of light and rest that shape us all.

What are some modern winter solstice traditions?

Modern winter solstice celebrations often blend ancient symbolism with everyday mindfulness. There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate. What matters is that it feels authentic and grounding.

Try these rituals:

Host a candlelit dinner with friends or family
Take part in a lantern walk or nighttime hike
Share gratitude notes or intentions for the coming year
Spend the evening offline, reading or listening to music
Decorate your space with natural elements like pine, citrus, cinnamon, or florals

Can kids take part in a winter solstice celebration?

Absolutely, and many children love the sense of wonder that comes during this time.

You could make paper lanterns together, bake something seasonal, or go outside to look for stars. You might talk about what it means for the days to grow longer and ask what they’re grateful for.

Solstice rituals can help kids understand nature’s cycles and develop gratitude in a way that feels tangible, simple, and joyful.

Why is reflection important on the winter solstice?

Reflection during the solstice mirrors the natural rhythm of rest before renewal.

It’s a moment to look back with honesty and gentleness — to acknowledge what was hard, what brought meaning, and what you want to nurture going forward. In a culture that often pushes constant motion, this quiet reflection is an act of balance.

Taking time to reflect helps you close one chapter and step into the next with clarity, not pressure.

Is the winter solstice the longest night of the year?

Yes, the winter solstice marks the day when the earth tilts farthest from the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, this falls on December 21st. In the Southern Hemisphere, this falls on or around June 21st.

After the solstice, daylight gradually increases. This subtle shift reminds us that change doesn’t happen all at once. It begins quietly, almost imperceptibly, and builds with time.

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Calm Editorial Team