Summer solstice 2022: 1st day of summer, longest day of the year — what to know

While the temperatures may already feel like summer, the official start of the season began on Tuesday in the Northern Hemisphere — an event known as the summer solstice. 

During the June solstice, the sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky for the northern half of the globe, which results in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. 

Here is everything to know about the summer solstice 2022:

Summer solstice significance

The June solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Farmer’s Almanac explains, it occurs when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt — about 23.5 degrees — toward the sun.

This results in the longest "day," meaning the longest period of sunlight hours.

The word "solstice" comes from the Latin word "solstitium" — and from "sol" (Sun) and "stitium" (still or stopped), according to the periodical. The sun doesn’t rise and set at the same locations on the horizon each day due to Earth’s tilted axis. Its rise and set positions move northward or southward in the sky as our planet travels around the sun throughout the year. 

"The June solstice is significant because the Sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky at this time, at which point the Sun’s path does not change for a brief period of time," the Farmer’s Almanac explains.

What time is the summer solstice 2022?

The June solstice occurred on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 5:14 a.m. EDT, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the beginning of winter.

The June solstice doesn’t always occur on the same day — currently shifting between June 20, 21, and 22. Its timing is based on when the sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. 

Is the summer solstice the first day of summer?

Technically, there are two starts to summer: meteorological and astronomical. 

Most meteorologists divide the year into four seasons based on the months and the temperature cycle, with summer beginning on June 1 and ending on August 31, the Farmer’s Almanac explains.

But astronomically, the first day of summer is considered to be when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky during the summer solstice (June 20–22). 

Stonehenge and the summer solstice

Some historians point to Stonehenge, an ancient monument in Wiltshire, England, as evidence that humans once used the June solstice as a way to organize their calendars and start counting the days of the year.

According to English Heritage, a charity organization that cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites, the sun rises at Stonehenge on the solstice behind the Heel Stone in the northeast part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge.

"The sarsen stones, put up in at the center of the site in about 2500 BC, were carefully aligned to line up with the movements of the sun," English Heritage explained. "The whole layout of Stonehenge is therefore positioned in relation to the solstices, or the extreme limits of the sun’s movement."

How to celebrate the summer solstice, past rituals

In ancient times, the date of the June solstice was used to organize calendars and as a marker to figure out when to plant and harvest crops. Traditionally, this time of year was also popular for weddings, according to Time and Date.

In ancient Gaul, which encompasses modern-day France, the Feast of Epona was celebrated with bonfires to mark the solstice or midsummer (June 24 in 2022).

In ancient China, the summer solstice was observed to celebrate the Earth, femininity, and the "yin" forces. 

The day also signifies a turning point during the year, when the days start getting shorter once again. The shift is associated with change, nature, and new beginnings, which is why many festivals and celebrations still occur on the day.

In Ottawa, Canada’s Ontario province, the Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival occurs. The event focuses on summer solstice traditions from the First Nations people, according to Space Tourism Guide.

Meanwhile, in northern European countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Midsummer is a festive and major celebration to mark the summer months.

"In the Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Midsummer is an occasion to travel to the countryside and connect with nature. Many people light bonfires and stay up all night drinking, singing, and dancing," Time and Date wrote.

While thousands of people gather at Stonehenge for the occasion, parts of the U.S. also take part in the celebration with events focused on the theme of the summer solstice. In New York City, you can do yoga for free in Times Square in celebration.

Watch the summer solstice sunrise and sunset

Sunset and sunrise is live-streamed for free on English Heritage’s social media channels. You can watch both on its Facebook page here.

This story was reported from Cincinnati. Stephanie Weaver contributed from Los Angeles.