Seasons
December Solstice 2026 शीत अयनांत
The Shortest Day of the Year
Tuesday, 22 December 2026
The December solstice is the moment the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, giving India its shortest day and longest night of the year.
How the date is fixed: The moment the sun reaches its southernmost point over the Tropic of Capricorn; 21 or 22 December each year
Why December Solstice is celebrated
The December solstice is an astronomical event, not a festival. Because the Earth's axis is tilted, the sun appears to move between the two tropics over a year. On this day it reaches its southernmost point, directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. In 2026 the exact moment comes at 2:20 am Indian time on 22 December, which is still 21 December in Europe and America.
Across India this is the shortest day. Places further north have the least daylight: Dehradun gets about 10 hours 11 minutes, Delhi about 10 hours 19 minutes, Mumbai about 11 hours and Chennai about 11 hours 21 minutes.
History and story of December Solstice
Astronomically, the sun begins its northward journey, Uttarayana, from this day. In ancient times Makar Sankranti fell close to the solstice. Indian calendars use a sidereal zodiac, and the slow wobble of the Earth's axis has moved Makar Sankranti to about 14 January today. The Mahabharata tells that Bhishma waited for Uttarayana before giving up his life.
The earliest sunset of the year comes in early December and the latest sunrise in early January, because of the Earth's tilt and its slightly oval orbit.
How December Solstice is celebrated
No religious rituals are linked to the solstice itself in India. In the north it falls during the coldest weeks, and Christmas follows a few days later.
Important days and moments
- Solstice moment (22 December 2026 (Tuesday), 2:20 am IST)
The sun reaches its southernmost point, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. - Shortest day (22 December 2026)
Indian cities see their least daylight of the year, with northern places getting a little over 10 hours. - Makar Sankranti (Mid January 2027)
The traditional Indian festival of the sun's northward turn follows about three weeks later.
Other names and related festivals
- Shortest Day of the Year
- Southern Solstice
- Winter Solstice
Makar Sankranti 14 Jan 2026
June Solstice 21 Jun 2026
Frequently asked questions
When is December Solstice in 2026?
December Solstice falls on Tuesday, 22 December 2026.
Is December Solstice a bank holiday?
December Solstice is not a bank holiday in any of the states covered here in 2026, so banks stay open unless the day is a Sunday or a second or fourth Saturday.
Is December Solstice a central government holiday?
No. December Solstice is not a holiday for central government offices in 2026.
Is the stock market closed on December Solstice?
No. December Solstice is not a trading holiday on NSE and BSE in 2026.
What are the other names of December Solstice?
December Solstice is also known as Shortest Day of the Year, Southern Solstice, Winter Solstice.
Which is the shortest day in India?
The shortest day comes on the December solstice. In 2026 the solstice falls at 2:20 am IST on 22 December.
Is Makar Sankranti the winter solstice?
No. Makar Sankranti follows the sidereal zodiac and now falls around 14 January, about three weeks after the solstice.
Does the shortest day have the earliest sunset?
No. The earliest sunset comes in early December and the latest sunrise in early January, even though total daylight is least on the solstice.
Next Seasons festivals (30 days)
No other festival in the next 30 days.
Upcoming central government holidays
Holidays in your state
Bank, state government and school holidays differ from state to state. Pick your state:
Holidays and festivals calendar: October and November 2026
Central government holidays for all of India and major festivals. For bank, state government and school holidays, open your state: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal.
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Friday, 2 October Gandhi Jayanti Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's freedom struggle and the voice of truth and non-violence. |
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Sunday, 11 October Sharad Navratri Sharad Navratri is the nine night autumn festival of the Goddess Durga, beginning with Ghatasthapana and leading up to Dussehra, with fasting, prayer, garba... |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17
Saturday, 17 October Durga Puja Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura with grand pandals, dhak drums, prayers and feasts, especially in West Bengal and ea... |
18 |
| 19 | 20
Tuesday, 20 October Dussehra Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of good over evil, recalling Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura. |
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Sunday, 8 November Diwali Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness with Lakshmi Puja, rows of diyas, sweets and family gatherings on the new moon... |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
Sunday, 15 November Chhath Puja Chhath Puja is a four day festival of Bihar and eastern India in which devotees fast and offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun while standing in water. |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
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Tuesday, 24 November Guru Nanak Jayanti Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Prakash Purab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, nagar kirtans, langar and lit up gurdw... |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
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Public holiday Major festival Today
- Sat, 17 Oct
Durga Puja - Tue, 20 Oct
Dussehra - Sun, 8 Nov
Diwali - Sun, 15 Nov
Chhath Puja - Tue, 24 Nov
Guru Nanak Jayanti