Longest Day (Summer Solstice) for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Wednesday, June 21st. There are until the next observance.

The Longest Day (Summer Solstice) is marked on June 20, 21, or 22, although it falls on June 21 this year. The time varies because it is determined by when the sun reaches its furthest north from the celestial equator.

📆 When is Longest Day (Summer Solstice)?

This year, Longest Day (Summer Solstice) is on June 21st. It is the 3rd Wednesday in June; in 2024, it is on Friday.

Countdown to Longest Day (Summer Solstice)

Did you know: The term “solstice” is derived from the Latin words “sol,” which means “sun,” and “stitium,” which means “standing.”

You can also see all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about June 21, 2023.

📜 History of Longest Day (Summer Solstice)

The dates of the agricultural cycles were tied to the summer solstice in the Neolithic societies of Northern and Central Europe. It was historically observed by lighting bonfires to increase the sun’s strength throughout the agricultural season and guarantee a bountiful harvest in the Celtic, Slavic, and Germanic civilizations.

It appears that many Neolithic stone circles were built to follow the Sun’s path during solstices. However, it is challenging to pinpoint the precise function of these rock structures because there are no recorded reports from this era. However, the stones also seem to have been placed with care to line up with the Sun’s arcs, framing solar motion during the summer and winter solstices.

Even hammerstones were placed at particular solstice axes to frame the dawn for those standing in the center of the circle. This shows that the stones’ alignment with the sun’s movements was deliberate. Many tribes in the past and some tribes today still celebrate the summer solstice as a big cultural event.

☑️ Longest Day (Summer Solstice) facts

Winter and Summer Solstice
There is a Winter Solstice, which happens twice a year and is also known as the Longest Night, in addition to the Summer Solstice.

Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn
The Summer Solstice happens when the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Winter Solstice occurs when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Curved path
The sun’s path across the sky at the Summer Solstice is curved rather than straight.

Things to do on Longest Day (Summer Solstice)

Enjoy the outdoors
Enjoy the beauty of the world around you while eating outside. While an outdoor gathering might be fun, a change of scenery can be just as entertaining. Gather the family and go to a park or the beach for a BBQ or a picnic.

Look at the stars
You may stay up late and look at the stars. If this is your first time seeing the constellations, you may want to borrow a book or download an app to help you.

Create a bucket list for the summer
Make a summer bucket list with your family and friends. Is there anything more on the list that you’d want to see? With a poster board and markers, let your creativity go wild.

📅 Longest Day (Summer Solstice) Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 June 21 Wednesday
2024 June 21 Friday
2025 June 21 Saturday
2026 June 21 Sunday
2027 June 21 Monday

Explore all June holidays, including Federal and other International holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about Longest Day (Summer Solstice). So be sure to check back soon.