Thousands gather at Stonehenge to celebrate the winter solstice | UK News

On By Littum

Thousands of people, including pagans, druids and dancers, gather at the ancient Stonehenge monument for the winter solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year.

During sunrise at 8.09 there was a flurry of drumming, singing and chanting.

However, there was no actual sun in Wiltshire due to low cloud across the site.

There will be less than eight hours of daylight on Saturday, but then the days will get longer until the summer solstice in June.

The summer and winter solstices are the only occasions when visitors can walk right up to the stones at Stonehenge.

Morris dancers perform in front of the stones as people take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at the Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Picture date: Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Picture:
Morris dancers performed in front of the stones. Picture: PA

A person's face is smeared with blue paint as they participate in the winter solstice celebrations at Stonehenge, England, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
Picture:
The celebrations were energetic, loud and colourful. Picture: AP

Arthur Pendragon 'knights' a member of the public as they take part in the Winter Solstice celebrations during sunrise at the Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Picture date: Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Picture:
Senior Druid, Arthur Pendragon, ‘knights’ a member of the public. Picture: PA

The stone circle, which includes gigantic pillars, was erected about 5,000 years ago by a sun-worshipping Neolithic culture.

But its full purpose is still debated.

A man places his hands on one of the stones during the winter solstice celebration at Stonehenge, England, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
Picture:
Stonehenge has a spiritual meaning for some people. Picture: AP

Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

What was Stonehenge built for?

More recently, it has been speculated that the site may have had political as well as spiritual significance.

The effort involved in transporting the stones hundreds of miles, with only primitive tools, is telling they had a unifying purpose.

People touch one of the stones while taking part in the winter solstice celebration during sunrise at the Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Picture date: Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Picture:
Picture: PA

It has also been discovered that the stone lies flat in the center of the monument, called the “altar stone” originates from Scotlandnot Wales, as originally intended.

The smaller stones – bluestones – that form the inner horseshoe and outer circle are known to have been quarried from the Preseli Hills in west Wales.

People take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at the Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Picture date: Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Picture:
Stonehenge shortly before sunrise at 8.09am. Picture: AP

People take part in the Winter Solstice celebrations during sunrise at the Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Picture date: Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Picture:
Cloud cover prevented people from seeing a spectacular sunrise. Picture: AP

Read more from Sky News:
The winter fuel payment deadline is approaching
Fearne Cotton issues health update
No need to queue for the toilet at concerts

Stonehenge is built to align with the midsummer solstice and midwinter solstice, and it is believed that the solstice has been celebrated there for thousands of years.

The winter solstice was also observed in many different parts of the world.

People take a Yuzu-yu bath infused with yuzu citrus in a hot spring in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture on the December 21, 2024 winter solstice. Japanese tradition says that if you take a yuzu bath on the day of the solstice, you will not catch a cold for a year. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)
Picture:
In Japan, a winter solstice tradition is a yuzu bath. Picture: AP

December 21, 2024, Spain, Palma: Locals and tourists gather at dawn to watch the sunrise overlooking the cathedral on the day of the winter solstice. Photo by: Clara Margais/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Picture:
Palma’s cathedral was the perfect backdrop for people watching the sunrise. Picture: AP

In Japan, there is a tradition of taking a yuzu bath – infused with yuzu citrus – which myth suggests will prevent you from catching a cold for a year.

And in Palma, on the Spanish island of Mallorca, people gathered to watch the sunrise – with the city’s cathedral as a spectacular backdrop.