Winter Solstice at Stonehenge will take place at sunrise on Tuesday 22nd December 2026. English Heritage have agreed to offer a short period of access, from first light or safe enough to enter the monument field (approximately 07.45am until 10.00am) Thousands are expected to descend on Stonehenge and celebrate the Winter Solstice, as the sun rises at 08:09 GMT.
People, including druids and pagans, come from across world to watch sunrise on shortest day of the year
Winter Solstice, access to the stones themselves is free and without restriction, and visitors can get up close with the marvel that is Stonehenge. After it passes, the days will begin to get longer and longer until June when the Summer Solstice takes place.
The Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year approaches, drawing neo-druid and neo-pagan pilgrims to Stonehenge to watch the sunrise through the sacred site.
This is a twice-yearly pilgrimage for many visitors, including Druids and Pagans, with the Summer Solstice in June being the largest of the two events. The festivals which have celebrated the passing of the seasons and new beginnings throughout human history, offer a unique opportunity to visit Stonehenge with no barriers and draws crowds every year.
Whatever the weather, it could be cold and wet. So please dress accordingly. Shuttle buses will be running to take you from the car parks to the stones. However, you may choose to walk from the Visitor Centre up to the stones. This takes 30 minutes on average and will be in low-light. So a torch would be essential.
Access to Stonehenge for Winter Solstice is is subject to the Conditions of Entry. Please read these before deciding whether to attend. Stonehenge is in a field on Salisbury Plain and the weather in December will be cold and wet. Even if it isn’t raining, the ground will be wet from the dew and there may also be frost. Sensible footwear and warm, waterproof clothing is essential. Please note, parking charges apply. PLEASE RESPECT THE STONES AND EACH OTHER
You must pre-book parking if choosing not to travel to Stonehenge by public transport. Please do not be tempted to abandon your vehicle and park it either on the A303 or other neighboring roads and public rights of way. Cars parked illegally or causing an obstruction will be towed away.
To attend without a car parking ticket, travel via Salisbury and use local public transport and the dedicated Salisbury Reds bus service.
Can I watch the sunrise on a live stream?
English Heritage will be live streaming the sunrise on the morning of 22nd December for free on their digital channels. Visit the official Stonehenge or English Heritage Facebook page, or the English Heritage YouTube channel. Please beware of fake/scam Facebook pages, events and groups that might have been set up.
Attending Winter Solstice
This page aims to provide all the information you need about celebrating Winter Solstice at Stonehenge. Please pay careful attention to our conditions of entry before deciding to attend.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Visitors are strongly advised not to travel to Stonehenge by car. Parking is limited and must be pre-booked. Anyone intending to drive should expect long queues of slow-moving traffic to get in and out of the area. Please do not be tempted to abandon your vehicle and park it either on the A303 or other neighbouring roads and public rights of way. Cars parked illegally or causing an obstruction will be towed away
A regular bus service from Salisbury city centre, where there is ample public car parking, will operate throughout the morning. Public transport is the recommended way to travel to Winter Solstice at Stonehenge.
Getting there:
Extremely limited parking available and strongly recommend using public transport to avoid disappointment. Salisbury Reds are operating a dedicated Solstice service from Salisbury train station via Amesbury. Please check their website for details. We also have a dedicated car sharing website which is available here.
As you approach Stonehenge, please follow signs to the car park. This is located close to Airman’s Corner Roundabout just off the A303. We ask that you park sensibly and only where directed by a steward or police officer. This will help us make full use of the car park.
Why Stonehenge?
Speaking at last year’s event, Win Scutt from English Heritage explained the winter solstice had always been more significant in the cultural calendar than the summer one.
“This is the time of the year that people in prehistory really revered and it was really important to them,” he said.
“We’ve done excavations near here that show they were killing pigs to feast on in the midwinter celebration. We know that it’s in midwinter because the pigs are eight months old, and the sow’s farrow in the spring.”
Stonehenge Winter Solstice Links:
Stonehenge Winter Solstice 2026 – ENGLISH HERITAGE
All you need to know for Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – BBC
Is the 2026 Winter Solstice at Stonehenge Worth the Cold and Predawn Start? – Global Rescue
When is the shortest day of the year — date of winter solstice and what it means – DAILY MIRROR
The Rebirth of the Sun: the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
Winter Solstice: Wild tales of slaughtered bulls, human sacrifice and much merriment – THE SCOTSMAN
The Rebirth of the Sun: the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
Solstice Transport service from London or Bath with expert guides – STONEHENGE GUIDED TOURS
Winter solstice: Why do pagans celebrate the shortest day of the year? THE TELEGRAPH
The Sun Stones: The Story of the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
Solstice at Stonehenge. From Past to Present. – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
What has Stonehenge got to do with the winter solstice? – METRO NEWS
Stonehenge Winter Solstice Tours from Bath – SOLSTICE TOURS U.K
Celebrate Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – HOLIDAY EXTRAS
Solstice and Equinox Experience Tours – SOLSTICE EVENTS UK
The Stonehenge Solstice Pilgrims – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
Stonehenge, the Winter Solstice, and the Druids – INTERESTRING ENGINEERING
Respecting the Stones. Managed Open Access –STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
The Stonehenge News Blog
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest Stonehenge News and Winter Solstice updates.
When is the shortest day of the year — date of winter solstice and what it means – DAILY MIRROR
The Rebirth of the Sun: the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
Winter Solstice: Wild tales of slaughtered bulls, human sacrifice and much merriment – THE SCOTSMAN
The Rebirth of the Sun: the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
Solstice Transport service rom London or Bath with expert guides – STONEHENGE GUIDED TOURS
Winter solstice: Why do pagans celebrate the shortest day of the year? THE TELEGRAPH
The Sun Stones: The Story of the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
Solstice at Stonehenge. From Past to Present. – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
What has Stonehenge got to do with the winter solstice? – METRO NEWS
Stonehenge Winter Solstice Tours from Bath – SOLSTICE TOURS U.K
Celebrate Winter Solstice at Stonehenge – HOLIDAY EXTRAS
Solstice and Equinox Experience Tours – SOLSTICE EVENTS UK
The Stonehenge Solstice Pilgrims – STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
Stonehenge, the Winter Solstice, and the Druids – INTERESTRING ENGINEERING
Respecting the Stones. Managed Open Access –STONEHENGE NEWS BLOG
The Stonehenge News Blog
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest Stonehenge News and Winter Solstice updates.
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