7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World
Soyal: Soyal is the winter solstice celebration of the Hopi Indians of northern Arizona.
Yalda: The Persian festival Yalda, or Shab-e Yalda is a celebration of the winter solstice in Iran.
Inti Raymi: This solstice celebration comes in June rather than December.
Saturnalia: The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia is perhaps the most closely linked with the modern celebration of Christmas.
Midwinter in Antarctica: Even Antarctica gets its share of solstice celebration, thanks to the researchers staying there over the long, dangerously cold season.
St. Lucia’s Day: St. Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Scandinavia around the time of the winter solstice.
Dong Zhi: Dong Zhi, the “arrival of winter,” is an important festival in China.