12/21/2025
A really late night… and other winter solstice festivals
Here in B.C., December 21 may seem like just another day in the holiday season, go skiing, tuck into a good novel, or to hang out with family and friends. But across the world, and in some B.C. communities, winter solstice means a whole lot more.
Winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, occurring around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. Read on for a sampling of how it’s celebrated here in Canada and around the world, then complete the form to enter to win a weekend in Whistler or Ucluelet.
Lanterns, and a ‘slowing down’ in B.C.
For many First Nations across Turtle Island (North America), the winter solstice is a time to honour natural cycles. It’s a time for the land, animals, plants, and people to rest. Some communities gather to honour and acknowledge the patterns of our natural world, while families share food, take the time to declutter their home, place medicines such as sage or cedar on a fire, or hold a moment of prayer.
In Vancouver, the 32nd annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival takes place at a handful of locations around Granville Island and Yaletown. It’s a chance for people of all ages to get involved in lantern-making workshops and a lantern procession as darkness arrives. Look for other winter solstice festivals around B.C., including in Sooke, Sechelt, Westbank, Kelowna, and the Comox Valley.
Yalda Night: a late-night feast until dawn
The longest night of the year is celebrated in Persian culture as a time for families and friends stay awake together – often until dawn – and feast, often on seasonal fruits such as pomegranates and watermelons. Some use the time to tell stories or read the poetry of classic poets.
Here in B.C., there are a variety of Yalda Night events, including one in Chilliwack.
Dongzhi Festival: Yin, yang, and tangyuan
Dongzhi, which translates to “the arrival of winter,” is a festival observed in many Chinese and East Asian communities. It centres on themes of balance, represented by yin and yang, as well as renewal and time spent with loved ones. A traditional favourite during Dongzhi is tangyuan, sweet glutinous rice balls often shared together.
Yule: Older than Christmas
Ever wonder where the term Yule log came from? It stems from a tradition among ancient Germanic, Norse, and Celtic peoples that involved burning a Yule log to usher in the return of the sun and longer days. Celebrations included decorating with evergreen and holly, feasting, fire and light.
And the day is not forgotten here in B.C., where events include a Nordic Yule Day at Cypress Mountain’s Hollyburn Lodge (a favourite place for cross-country skiers), and a Vancouver Unitarians Yule Ritual.
From BcHydro
