Stonehenge: All you need to know about Winter Solstice 2024

Saturday, December 21 will see the annual Winter Solstice celebration take place at Stonehenge and this year, English Heritage will livestream the Winter Solstice celebration from Stonehenge on the morning. And, as is tradition, there will also be the opportunity for those who wish to join in person at this ancient site.

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year when the North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun and heralds the return of longer days.

The solstice celebration will coincide with the first sunrise following this astronomical event, just after 8am on December 21.

To ensure a smooth experience, English Heritage strongly advises anyone planning to travel to Stonehenge to use public transport. Parking at Stonehenge is very limited and heavy traffic is anticipated due to the Christmas getaway. Once the car park is full, it will be closed and any additional vehicles will be turned away.

Winter Solstice at Stonehenge 2024 (Image: English Heritage)

Head of historic properties at Stonehenge Richard Dewdney said: “We are excited to welcome people to the Solstice celebration again this year, whether you’ll be watching from home or braving the cold to join us in person.

"If you decide to travel to Stonehenge, we highly recommend taking the bus from Salisbury, as parking is very limited on site.

"We’re also expecting heavy traffic as many people will be traveling for Christmas. Please remember that Stonehenge is a scheduled monument and an ancient burial site, regarded as sacred by many, making this celebration particularly meaningful.

"We want everyone to have a great experience and a safe visit to Stonehenge. As always, we kindly ask that all visitors respect the stones and those around them.”

Visitor Information: 

• The monument field will open for visitors around 7.45am - as soon as it is light enough. 

• The café in the visitor centre will serve hot drinks and food starting at 5.15am.

• There is a 25-minute walk in low light from parking areas to the monument, so it is recommended that you bring a flashlight and wear sturdy footwear. 

•  Parking costs £5 per car (or live-in vehicle) and £2 for motorcycles. Solstice car parks will open at 5.15am on December 21.

• Car parks open at 5.15am and close at 11am.

• Monument Field closes at 10am.

For live updates on traffic, weather, and news on the morning of the Solstice, follow @eh_stonehenge on X.