Summer Solstice 2025: Is it June 20 or 21? Exact date, time & why it¡¯s the longest day of the year explained

Summer Solstice 2025: The summer solstice 2025 marks the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and is known as the longest day of the year. Every year, people wonder whether the summer solstice falls on June 20 or June 21.

This year, the exact moment of the summer solstice occurs on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 10:42 p.m. EDT, which corresponds to Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 02:42 UTC. This precise timing means that while some regions observe the solstice on June 20, others see it on June 21 depending on their time zone .

When is the Summer Solstice 2025? June 20 or 21?

The summer solstice 2025 officially takes place on June 20 at 10:42 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time in the United States. But, in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, it will be early morning on June 21 at 3:42 a.m. BST.

This difference is due to global time zones, which means the solstice date can appear as either June 20 or June 21 depending on your location.

Why Is the Summer Solstice the longest day of the year?

The summer solstice is the longest day because it is the moment when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted most directly toward the Sun. The Earth's axis is tilted about 23.44 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun, and at the solstice, the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon.

This results in the maximum number of daylight hours and the shortest night of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.

What happens during the June Solstice?

At the June solstice, the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, which is 23.5 degrees north of the equator. After this day, the Sun begins to move southward again. This astronomical event also means that locations farther north experience significantly longer daylight hours, with places inside the Arctic Circle witnessing the Midnight Sun, where the Sun never sets.

Summer Solstice 2025: Local times around the world

Because the solstice moment is the same worldwide, local dates and times vary. For example, it occurs late on June 20 in North America but early on June 21 in Europe and Asia. People in the Southern Hemisphere experience the winter solstice simultaneously, marking their shortest day and the start of winter.

Cultural significance and celebrations of the Summer Solstice

The summer solstice has been celebrated for centuries across many cultures. Known as Midsummer or Litha in some traditions, it is a time for festivals, rituals, and gatherings that honour the Sun¡¯s power and the abundance of summer. Many ancient monuments, like Stonehenge, align with the solstice sunrise, highlighting its historical importance.

How does the Summer Solstice affect seasons?

The solstices and equinoxes are key markers that define Earth¡¯s seasons. The summer solstice signals the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. This happens because of the Earth¡¯s axial tilt, not because of its distance from the Sun, which remains relatively constant throughout the year.

FAQs

1. When is the summer solstice 2025?

Answer: The summer solstice in 2025 occurs on June 20 at 10:42 p.m. EDT, which is June 21 at 2:42 UTC, depending on your time zone.

2. Why does the summer solstice date change between June 20 and 21?

Answer: The solstice date varies due to Earth¡¯s orbit and time zone differences, causing the exact moment to fall late on June 20 in some places and early on June 21 in others.

3. What makes the summer solstice the longest day of the year?

Answer: It is the longest day because the Northern Hemisphere is tilted most toward the Sun, resulting in the maximum hours of daylight.

4. What is the significance of the Tropic of Cancer during the summer solstice?

Answer: The Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer during the solstice, marking the northernmost point of the Sun¡¯s annual path.

5. How do different parts of the world experience the summer solstice?

Answer: While the Northern Hemisphere enjoys the longest day and start of summer, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the beginning of winter simultaneously.

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