Winter Solistice is just around the corner. What is it and what does it mean?

Winter officially arrives on December 21 – the shortest day of the year – or what we call the winter solstice.

Over the centuries the meaning of the day has changed, but the truth is that it is still the shortest day of the year.

This does not mean that there will be fewer hours in the day. It will still be 24 hours long. It just means that there will be less daylight and more darkness than on any other day of the year.

But the winter solstice isn’t all doom and gloom. The solstice also marks the beginning of longer days and the approach of the new year and eventually spring.

Some see the winter solstice as a time of recovery and healing. It is also a time of reflection and spiritual renewal.

If it comes right before Christmas, it might also be time to take a deep breath and set aside the stress of shopping, cleaning and preparing for the holidays.

If you’d rather mark the occasion with festivities, we found several events in Mississippi celebrating the winter solstice.

• The Yoga Room, 2118 Oak Grove Road, in Hattiesburg will host its 22nd annual Winter Solstice event at 6 p.m., Dec. 18, featuring candlelight, restorative poses taught by instructor Tammy Kolbo, music by yoga instructor and musician John Milham, meditation, fellowship, and holiday refreshments. A donation of $20 per person is requested. To sign up for the solstice program, visit theyyogaroom-ms.com/events.

• The Arts, Hancock County is hosting its third annual Winter Solstice Celebration on the Beach in Bay St. Louis. The family-friendly event will feature a parade, bonfire, music and pizza. The fun begins at 18 Dec. 21 at The Arts, 405 Blaize Ave., Bay St. Louis, where the parade begins before heading down Washington Street to the beach. Bring a battery-powered glow-in-the-dark paper lantern and wear a costume if you’d like. It is free to participate, but registration is required. To register, visit tinyurl.com/LanternParade-BeachBonfire. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to the beach before the parade along with drinks and snacks to share. No pets allowed.

See where: Here are some of the best light displays in Jackson to ring in the holiday season.

See our list: Looking for Christmas lights in the Hattiesburg area?

• The Jefferson Davis County Economic Development District is hosting a winter solstice celebration called Light Up the Trace from 6 p.m. 18.00 to 20.00 on 21 December, the shortest day of the year. The Longleaf Trace in the county will be illuminated at four locations with fixtures as part of a fundraiser and festive holiday event. The evening will be filled with merriment, music and holiday cheer. Festivities on the Trace start at Prentiss Gateway Park, move on to HBCU Prentiss Institute’s Rosenwald School, then Carson Station, which will feature a live nativity scene, and end at Bassfield Station with plenty of family-friendly activities. To sponsor a $10 fixture to honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone, or contribute to Longleaf Trace safety and lighting improvements or participating community groups, visit lightupthetrace.comcall 601-792-5903 or find them at Carraway’s in Bassfield or through Friends of Prentiss and Je Loru’s Florist.

Farmers’ Almanac forecast: When does winter start and what is the weather like in Mississippi?

• Studio A Greenwood, 325 Howard St., in Greenwood is hosting a winter solstice celebration called 108 Sun Salutations at 9:30 a.m. on December 21. Along with the mini sun salutations, there will be a meditative flow with variations stretching between sets, restorative poses and a relaxing Savasana. Modifications will be offered for those unfamiliar or out of practice with the positions. Tickets are $25 per person. For more information, visit thealluvian.com/studio-a-yoga.

Lici Beveridge is a reporter for Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook on facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on the Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Find Winter Solstice events in Mississippi