Winter Solstice Is Almost Here, Northern Hemisphere’s Darkest Day

Vehicles travel along a street at sunset on the winter solstice in San Francisco on Dec. 21, 2023. Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP

The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere—ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.

For those who would rather have more sunlight, you can try to make your way to the Southern Hemisphere, where it is summer. Or be patient: Starting Sunday, days will get a little bit longer in the Northern Hemisphere every single day until late June.