Get ready to embrace the darkness during the longest night of the year ‒ the winter solstice. The solstice occurs at the same time everywhere on Earth, this year it happens Dec. 21 at 4:21 a.m ...

It will be both the shortest day and longest night of 2024. The solstice also marks the start of the Pagan holiday, Yule, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

The extra long night and short day occur thanks to the Earth's tilt from the sun. During the winter solstice, the tilt brings the Earth to its farthest point from the sun, resulting in less sunlight.