Ah, June. Picnics in the park, sunglasses and shorts. British summertime is well and truly here – and we might soon even get some actual sunshine.
While we wait for some actual summery weather, there are other things to look forward to this week. The longest day of the year is fast approaching, meaning that every day until Thursday June 20 will have just a little more light in it than the last.
With the solstice fast approaching, you may be looking for plans to celebrate the height of summer. Don’t let a bit of rain stop you enjoying the stars aligning this year – here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 summer solstice in the UK.
When is the 2024 summer solstice?
The solstice this year falls on Thursday June 20 2024, which will officially be the longest day of the year.
What exactly is the summer solstice?
In sort of science-y terms, the solstice is the point when the Earth’s tilt towards the sun is at its maximum point and the sun is at its highest point in the sky, meaning in the northern hemisphere we get loads of light.
It’s also a date of spiritual importance to loads of people who view it as representative of new beginnings and balance.
How long will the day last?
Of the 24 hours which will make up tomorrow, more than 16 of them will be in daylight. Worth investing in some black-out curtains if you’re a light sleeper.
What’s the difference between summer solstice and midsummer’s day?
Put simply, the summer solstice is an astronomical event and midsummer is a day of celebration. They can overlap, and some years they do, but this year midsummer will be on June 24, next Monday.
Where to celebrate the summer solstice in the UK?
There are loads of places across the country you can celebrate summer reaching its peak. Traditionally, events are held at sites of significance to pagan spiritualists, like Stonehenge or Oxfordshire’s Rollright stones. If you’re looking for more ideas as to where to enjoy the many hours of sunlight, have a look at our solstice guide here.
What’s the weather going to be like for the solstice?
This obviously depends on whereabouts in the country you’re going to be, but broadly speaking it’s not looking too bad. There are some spots of rain forecast for the northernmost points of Scotland, but other than that it should be dry, but cloudy. Have a look here for your local forecast.
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