December solstice Dec. 21, 2023

Here"s to a great night out or a cozy night in on the longest night of the year! On this day, the Northern Hemisphere, where Canada is located, is tilted farthest from the sun, resulting in the earliest sunset and the shortest day of the year. Called the December solstice, it marks the official beginning of winter and longer days ahead, giving a nice boost to the festive mood.

© John Finney Photography/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Rainbow around the sun
Dec. 21, 2024Happy winter solstice!
Dec. 21, 2025Winter solstice

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb. 9, 2026Amur leopard cat, Russia
Aug. 19, 2025Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Feb. 3, 2024Carnival of Venice
Jun. 15, 2025Happy Fathers Day!
Say hello to these halophytes!
Mar. 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
The beauty that lies below
Oct. 26, 2023Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
Sep. 4, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
May 30, 2024Everglades National Park, Florida
Sep. 22, 2024Autumn equinox
Oct. 22, 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome
Jan. 9, 2026Muir Woods National Monument, California, United States
May 17, 2025A delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy
Feb. 6, 20262026 Winter Olympics
Sep. 30, 2023Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Celebrating art in the city
Aug. 3, 2024Three Natural Bridges, Wulong National Park, China
Aug. 18, 2025Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York, United States
May 25, 2026Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan
A glowing square of squares
Mar. 17, 2025Happy St. Patricks Day!
Nov. 25, 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Jun 11, 2026Limpets at low tide on the coast of Praia da Ursa, Portugal
Dec. 6, 2024Finnish Independence Day
Feb. 15, 2025The natural ice wall of Misotsuchi, Chichibu, Japan
Apr. 17, 2026International Bat Appreciation Day
Fly me to the moon
Something to ‘bee’ thankful for
Mar. 8, 2025International Womens Day