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When is the summer solstice? This year, the summer solstice in June will occur on Sunday, June 21. It will be the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest in the Southern Hemisphere. Here's everything you need to know about the summer and winter solstices in June 2026, including the exact dates and times, as well as when they will occur at Stonehenge in the UK—the world's most famous solstice-aligned monument.
On the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun rises in perfect alignment with the Heel Stone and Altar Stone of the 5,000-year-old Stonehenge circle. This alignment demonstrates the ancient builders' understanding of the solar calendar and suggests that Stonehenge may have served as a calendar or temple for important dates and events—a tradition that continues each year. (Photo: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
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Key facts
The June summer solstice will occur at exactly 4:24 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
A public event will be held at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, UK, from the evening of June 20 (sunset at 9:26 PM BST) until sunrise at 4:52 AM BST on June 21. English Heritage will stream the event live on YouTube.
The summer solstice also marks the midpoint of the so-called "Manhattanhenge effect" in New York City, a period of 44 days.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this is called the summer solstice because it marks the beginning of a new season—astronomical summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is called the winter solstice because it marks the beginning of astronomical winter.
The solstices occur twice a year, always around June 21 and December 21. They mark the two points in the year when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky as seen from Earth.
New Yorkers will gather on 42nd Street near Times Square to admire the solar spectacle of "Manhattanhenge" on May 28, 2026, in New York City. (Photo: Craig T. Fruchtman/Getty Images)
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Why is the solstice important?
The June solstice is one of four key events in Earth's annual orbit around the Sun. The other two are the December solstice and the March and September equinoxes. Together, these events define the astronomical seasons.
This phenomenon is caused by the Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees relative to the plane of the solar system. Because of this tilt, different parts of the planet receive different amounts of daylight throughout the year. During the summer solstice in June, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, receiving sunlight for the longest period.
For observers in the Southern Hemisphere, the situation is reversed. There, the June solstice is known as the winter solstice and marks the beginning of the astronomical winter season.
What happens during the winter solstice?
At the summer solstice (June), the Sun is directly overhead on the Tropic of Cancer, an imaginary line located approximately 23.5 degrees north of the equator. This line passes through regions such as Mexico, Egypt, and India. The effects are particularly noticeable near the poles. At the North Pole, the Sun remains above the horizon and does not set, while at the South Pole, it is below the horizon and does not rise. These extremes highlight the influence of the Earth's axial tilt and demonstrate the uneven distribution of sunlight across the planet throughout the year.
Changing sunrise and sunset points
Although the exact moment of the solstice is difficult to determine without astronomical measurements, the sun's changing path across the sky provides visible clues. Over the course of the year, the sunrise and sunset points gradually shift along the horizon. On the summer solstice, the sun rises at its northeasternmost point and sets at its northwesternmost point. Stonehenge is aligned with this northeasternmost sunrise point of the year, so one of the world's most famous solstice celebrations takes place there. On the summer solstice, the sun also reaches its highest point in the sky at noon local time.
Further reading
FORBES | Jamie Carter: Why New York's 'Manhattanhenge Effect' Actually Lasts 44 Days
FORBES | Jamie Carter. There are 100 days left until the total solar eclipse. Here's how to see it.
FORBES | By Jamie Carter What are those two bright stars in the west after sunset?
This article was originally published on Forbes.com.