The Winter Solstice—the shortest day and longest night of the year—will arrive on Wednesday, December 21. Astronomically, it marks the first day of winter. Culturally, it marks a day to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the birth of “a new sun.”
Traditions vary across the globe, from the Iranian tradition of eating pomegranates to the English tradition of lighting a yule log. Here’s how you can reconnect to the ancient holiday in DC:
Celebrate with light.
On the year’s darkest day, make your own light with local candlemaker Lilly of Relume at Shop Made in DC in Georgetown (1304 Wisconsin Ave., NW). For $40, you’ll pour your own customized scent blend into a vintage glass of your choosing before topping the wax off with crushed flower petals. Or you can enjoy the flickering candles at this power vinyasa yoga class, which takes place in a candlelit room at the Eaton DC (1201 K St., NW). For a kid-friendly alternative, visit Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave., NW) on Wednesday to make a paper luminary.
While candles are a traditional part of the pagan holiday, they aren’t the only source of light on these dark days. Enjoy the twinkling displays at one of these area holiday light displays. Or, find some “inner light” at this solstice meditation workshop at the Skin and Wellness Centre (929 W. Broad St., Suite 101, Falls Church). Along with tea and other treats, the $30 class will provide guided inner reflection through movement and breathwork.
Commune with nature.
Observing the winter solstice, and the natural rhythms of the season, can help you feel more in touch with nature. Celebrate the astronomical holiday by getting outdoors and savoring the few hours of sunlight at one of these five parks, which are perfect for winter hikes. Spy a fox at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens or enjoy the quiet of the bare trees on Theodore Roosevelt Island.
For a guided experience, you can also join Ward 8 Woods Conservancy for Winter Solstice forest bathing. For $10, the nonprofit’s guides will lead you through Oxon Run Parkway at sunset. Once the sun disappears, you’ll enjoy refreshments around a camp fire.
Reflect with some poetry.
Don’t fight the dark days but embrace them with the winter poems of Robert Frost at Little Penn Coffeehouse (801 East St., NW). As part of the Profs and Pints series, Michael Manson—a former literature lecturer at American University and past president of the Robert Frost Society—will read Frost’s poems and explore ways the poet worked with the metaphor of winter.
For more wordsmithing, grab a seat at the Gibson Cocktail Bar (2009 14th St., NW) for a Winter Solstice haiku event on Thursday with local bartender and sommelier Chantal Tseng. Tseng will pair winter haikus she’s penned with wines and low-ABV cocktails. The event will also have tea and a holiday cookie exchange.
Savor the season’s food and drink.
In old times, the winter solstice marked a day of feasting before the stark months of winter set in. While Harris Teeter and Trader Joe’s now have our backs all winter long, we can still carry on the tradition. Sip warming cocktails and feast on dishes that celebrate the winter season at Terrain Cafe (7228 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda) on Thursday. Or sample traditional Afghani food at two events celebrating Yalda Night—an Iranian festival that commemorates the winter solstice. Both celebrations—one in Fairfax and the other in Sterling—will feature traditional food, music, and poetry. Or embrace the day’s pagan roots and stop by the Dew Drop Inn (2801 St., NE) for “witchy drinks.” Local Wiccan Skye Marinda will lead a “simple Solstice ritual” along with astrology and tarot readings and raffle prizes.
