Summer Solstice 2025 Date: When is the longest day of the year?

Summer Solstice 2025 Date: When Is the Longest Day of the Year? (Image: Canva)

As June progresses and sunlight stays longer, something enshrouds the sky in magic. It's not merely warmer nights and shorter darknesses — it's solstice. This astronomical milestone comes in gentle glory and cosmic beat, worthy of delight from stargazers and sun-worshippers alike. Below is what to learn about the 2025 summer solstice.

When and Why the Solstice Happens

The June solstice falls at 02:42 UTC on Saturday, June 21, 2025. That's 10:42 p.m. EDT Friday, June 20, for those of us in North America. It's the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest for the Southern.

Earth's axis is tilted 23.5 degrees off vertical. That tilt and Earth's orbit bring about the seasons. At this time in June, the Northern Hemisphere is inclined towards the sun. The sun is high in the sky at noon, and daylight hours are longer.

What to Expect on Solstice Day

During the solstice, the sun appears directly above the Tropic of Cancer. This invisible line sits 23.5 degrees north of Earth’s equator. It runs through countries like Mexico, Egypt and India.

The sun will not set at all at the North Pole, while at the South Pole, it never rises. The solstice also alters the position of the sun along the horizon. It rises mostly northeast and sets mostly northwest on this day.

How and Where It's Celebrated

While the solstice slips by uneventfully for a few, others celebrate the occurrence with ancient traditions. One well-known site is Stonehenge in the United Kingdom. This stone structure aligns with the sunrise at solstice morning. People flock annually to see sunlight filter between the stones.

Those who can't make it in person can still capture the moment. English Heritage will be streaming the sunrise on its YouTube channel, taking the solstice out to everyone around the globe.

The June solstice is more than a date. It's a reminder of the Earth's slow waltz around the sun — and the balance of night and day that creates our world.