Ontario will experience the winter solstice this Sunday, Dec. 21, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year as the Northern Hemisphere tilts farthest away from the sun. The exact moment of the solstice will occur at 10:03 a.m., ushering in the official start of astronomical winter. While meteorological winter began earlier in December, the solstice has long been recognized as a symbolic turning point, after which daylight gradually increases until the summer solstice in June 2026. Rooted in ancient traditions, the solstice has been celebrated for thousands of years as a time of reflection, rebirth, and renewal, influencing modern holidays such as Christmas and Hanukkah. Many cultures, including Indigenous communities, continue to mark the day through rituals centered on light, gratitude, and preparing for the months ahead, reminding people that even in the darkest stretch of the year, brighter days are on the way.