"Thousands of people cheered and danced around Stonehenge as the sun rose over the prehistoric stone circle Sunday, the winter solstice. The crowds, many in costume, gathered before dawn, waiting patiently in the dark and cold field in southwest England. Some sang and beat drums, while others took time to reflect among the huge stone pillars. Many make the pilgrimage to the stone circle every summer and winter and consider it a spiritual experience. The ancient monument, erected between 5,000 and 3,500 years ago, was"
"built to align with the movement of the sun on the solstices key dates in the calendar for ancient farmers. People celebrate the Winter Solstice sunrise celebrations at Stonehenge, a world-famous prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain, England, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (AP Photo/Anthony Upton) Sunday is the shortest day of the year north of the equator, where the solstice marks the start of astronomical winter."
Thousands gathered at Stonehenge before dawn to celebrate the winter solstice sunrise, with many wearing costumes, singing, drumming and reflecting among the stone pillars. The event drew crowds who often make summer and winter pilgrimages and consider the experience spiritual. The prehistoric monument, erected between 5,000 and 3,500 years ago, was built to align with the sun's movement on solstices, which were key calendar dates for ancient farmers. The winter solstice marks the start of astronomical winter north of the equator and is the shortest day of the year there, while it marks the longest day and start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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