The summer solstice in 2024, occurring on Thursday, June 20, heralds the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Celebrated globally with cultural traditions and marked by the alignment of the sunrise with ancient structures like Stonehenge, this event also coincides with a full moon known as the strawberry moon.
The summer solstice in 2024 will take place on Thursday, June 20, marking the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs when the Earth’s northern half is tilted most closely toward the sun.
The solstice officially starts at 20:51 UTC, corresponding to different local times globally, such as 1:51 p.m. in Los Angeles and 9:51 p.m. in London. This event heralds the beginning of astronomical summer, which lasts until the autumnal equinox on September 22.
Stonehenge in England is a notable location for summer solstice celebrations, where the sunrise aligns with the ancient stones. Other cultural traditions include Midsummer Eve celebrations in Sweden and Ivan Kupala Night in parts of Eastern Europe. Additionally, this solstice coincides with a full moon known as the strawberry moon, visible in the southeast sky on the evening of June 21.
While the solstice marks the longest day, it does not typically coincide with the hottest time of the year, which usually occurs in July or August. The significance of the solstice and its associated celebrations have fascinated humanity for millennia.
