Great ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice in Atlanta — there’s something for everyone with this non-religious December occasion.
Deposit Photos
In 2024, the Winter Solstice will occur on Saturday, December 21st. The date reflects an astronomical event that has been observed since ancient times, most noted for being the shortest day and longest night of the year.
Solstice is also associated with the pagan festival of Yule, ritual celebrations, and mystical themes of change and rebirth.
For us, the great thing about Solstice is that it’s a winter “holiday” without any religious affiliation. No matter what your spiritual beliefs are, you can find a significance that works for you with the Winter Solstice — from quiet self-reflection to good times with friends or a reason to eat and drink.
Are you looking for ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice in Atlanta? We’ve got you covered, with the suggestions below.
And if you’re looking for actual planned Winter Solstice events, take a look at breweries, yoga studios, and nature centers.
You may also be interested in:
- Day-by-day list of free & cheap holiday events
- Best places to see holiday lights this year
- Holiday markets around metro Atlanta
- The 10 best Christmas tree farms near Atlanta
- Free photos with Santa for pets and people
- Where to get Christmas dinner to go
How to celebrate Winter Solstice in Atlanta
These ideas for celebrations and observances are all based on historic, cultural, and celestial associations with the Winter Solstice — adapted to a modern lifestyle.
Festive Food & Drink
Traditionally, Yule was a holiday for feasting and merriment. And what could be better, on the first day of winter, than to enjoy delicious, warming foods with friends or family?
♣ Plan a meal of traditional winter dishes like hearty stews, roasted meats, and root vegetables like sweet potatoes and beets. (Or, cook up a huge pot of vegetarian chili.)
♣ Host a simple potluck gathering with neighbors or friends and ask each person to bring a seasonally-inspired dish.
♣ Bake classic winter desserts, like gingerbread and rum cake. Or try your hand at creating a fancy chocolate Yule log cake. And if you’re not into baking, this is the perfect opportunity to buy seasonal sweet treats from Alon’s or Southern Sweets.
(PRO TIP: Sweet Hut has a Black Forest Swiss Roll that is delicious and can pass for a Yule log cake in a pinch!)
♣ Enjoy warming beverages like cocoa, spiced cider, mead, chai, or mulled wine — either at home, or at your favorite coffee shop or watering hole. (But don’t forget that pumpkin spice season is over — go for the ginger!)
♣ At home, garnish your dinner plate or cocktail glass with seasonal delights — sprigs of rosemary or holly, fresh cranberries, or chestnuts.
♣ Check with your favorite metro Atlanta breweries to see if any are hosting a Solstice party. Because Yule was traditionally celebrated with alcohol, this tends to be a perfect opportunity for them to plan a little revelry. Our local breweries are all about free and cheap events!
Classic Yule log cake, also known as Bûche de Noël. Image: Deposit Photos
Rituals of Light
During Winter Solstice, ancient people celebrated not the darkness of the longest night, but the return of the light, because the days would begin to lengthen. So it makes sense to plan your own celebrations with a focus on light and warmth.
♣ Build a bonfire outdoors and gather around it with your family and neighbors to roast marshmallows– if you can do it safely. (Or, shop for table top fire pits on Amazon.)
♣ Create your own ritual by writing down a hope, wish, or intent and burning it.
♣ Illuminate your living space with lanterns and candles. We can personally recommend the most realistic electric candle you’ll ever find. The Simply Collected flameless candle flickers and wavers in ways that will amaze you. It features a built-in timer that allows it to come on at the same time each day and shut off either 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours later. The candle takes two C-batteries, which gives you about six months of candlelit ambience. Best of all, it’s pet-proof and affordable! Check the price on Amazon
This flameless candle is the most realistic one we’ve ever seen! Available on Amazon.
♣ Drive around and look at holiday lights in your ‘hood — or head to one of the many seasonal holiday light displays around metro Atlanta. The Winter Lantern Festival is the perfect option for Solstice because it has a nature theme rather than a Christmas theme.
♣ Use your fireplace, if you have one. This could mean a wood fire, gas logs, votive candles, or even strings of battery-operated fairy lights inside your hearth.
♣ If you don’t have a fireplace, use your TV! You can stream realistic footage of a burning Yule log, complete with crackling. Try searching for one of these videos, or pull up one of the many options on YouTube.
- Yule Log Channel on Roku
- Happiest Season Holiday Yule Log on Hulu
- Fireplace for Your Home on Netflix
You can stream a crackling Yule log on your TV. Image: Deposit Photos.
Natural Rhythms
The festival of Yule was focused on the natural cycle of the sun and the changing of the seasons, so it makes sense to celebrate the Winter Solstice by embracing winter, even if that takes you outside your comfort zone.
♣ Plan to watch a sunrise or sunset, which is much easier when the days are shorter. Bundle up and sit outside as the natural world wakes up.
♣ Visit one of the many free nature preserves around metro Atlanta. They tend to have more diversity than parks, in terms of plants and wildlife.
♣ Find ways to bring a piece of the outdoors inside. Fill a basket with pine cones. Cut holly sprigs for a bud vase. Use fresh greenery on your dining table. Splurge on a potted cyclamen or amaryllis.
♣ Go ice skating at one of the pop-up seasonal ice rinks around metro Atlanta — because nothing is more wintry than ice. You’ll find ice rinks at:
♣ In the unlikely event it snows in metro Atlanta on the Winter Solstice, there is no other choice — you simply have to go out and build a snowman.
♣ Hang a bird feeder, or decorate an evergreen with edible treats for wildlife. But do some research and be sure you choose items that are safe for them to consume.
♣ Make a bunch of those folded paper snowflakes you haven’t made since you were a kid — then tape them to your windows for seasonal decor. Here’s a great tutorial for an upgraded technique that’s a wee bit trickier and more challenging.
♣ Dress for the weather and take a winter walk or hike. Try to find beauty in the season. It’s an especially good time to look at the birds, because they’re not camouflaged by the leaf canopy. You may be interested in one of these walks:
- Stroll around the lake at Murphey-Candler Park
- Explore the Peachtree Creek Greenway, a paved multi-use trail
- Hike to the ruins of an old homestead at Mary Scott Nature Park
- Explore the Enchanted Woodland Trail at Chattahoochee Nature Center
A winter cardinal. Image: Deposit Photos
Stargazing & Sky Watching
The Winter Solstice is, of course, a celestial event, and December brings long nights perfect for stargazing.
♣ Simply walk outside, tilt your head back, and gaze at the night sky. Try to feel a profound connection with the Universe.
♣ Look for Jupiter. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it will be on display and visible to the naked eye for much of December in 2024. On December 14th, you can look east after sunset to see the moon and Jupiter hanging side-by-side while they rise together in sky.
♣ Download a free sky watching app like Star Tracker or Sky View, point it upward at the night sky, and use it to identify the planets and constellations you see. If you can, drive somewhere away from the city lights to do this.
♣ Learn about the Ursid meteor shower, which peaks around the Solstice, and maybe try to see a few shooting stars (although your best bet is really the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks earlier in December).
♣ Visit the Observatory at the Fernbank Science Center. Each Thursday and Friday, when weather conditions are favorable, you can view the night sky through the museum’s telescope. Viewing starts around 9:00 p.m. and usually goes to 10:30 p.m. It is completely FREE!
♣ Enjoy a planetarium show at Fernbank Science Center. With this Groupon deal, it will only cost $6 per person. And you won’t be cold, because you’ll be indoors.
Bundle up and enjoy the wonders of the night sky. Image: Deposit Photos
Reflection & Renewal
Across the centuries, the Winter Solstice has symbolized rebirth, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness. The passing of the longest night represents the promise of returning light and life. You can incorporate that symbolism into your own Solstice observances.
♣ Relax in a ritual bath, using herbs like sage or lavender to purify your spirit and clear your mind.
♣ Shop for a new planner or journal, so you can set your intentions for the new year and jot down your thoughts.
♣ Declutter an area of your home that needs it, to create space for fresh energy.
♣ Download a guided meditation app to help you reflect on the past and express gratitude for the year gone by.
♣ Take a yoga class, and enjoy the gifts of strength, balance and flexibility. Many local yoga studios host special Solstice yoga events, and you can often find them through Eventbrite.
Seasonal Thoughts
As the wheel of the year turns, the Winter Solstice invites us to pause, reflect, and celebrate. Whether you’re drawn to ancient rituals or prefer modern traditions, let this season remind you that even in the darkest moments, light awaits. May your December be filled with warmth, connection, and the promise of brighter days ahead.
Graphic: Deposit Photos
