When Darkness Brings Us Together
Winter solstice traditions from communities in every province and territory
Sharing the Longest Night Together
When winter settles in across Canada, the days get shorter, and you often step outside to find the sun sinking before you’ve even made dinner.
Around December 21, the winter solstice arrives. It’s the shortest day of the year, and it can feel like the darkness might last forever. But it doesn’t. This exact moment—when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky—is also a turning point. After the solstice, daylight slowly increases. In every province and territory, people celebrate this shift. They skate under lanterns, soak in sound baths, light fires, drum, dance, tell stories, and welcome the return of the sun.
You might think these celebrations would be hard to find, but actually, they happen everywhere—big cities, small towns, and remote northern communities.
Some focus on art and music, others on healing and reflection, and many draw on cultural traditions that have been passed down for generations. Let’s travel across Canada and see how people are marking the winter solstice in 2024. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know you’re part of something bigger—Canadians everywhere are making the darkest day feel a lot brighter.
British Columbia: Music, Lanterns, and Inner Reflection
British Columbia’s winter solstice events often mix nature, culture, and community spirit.
In 2024, you’ll find a range of gatherings across the province.
Nelson (December 17 & 19, Nelson & District Women’s Centre, 420 Mill St): Over two days, the Nelson community holds a Winter Solstice event filled with friendly activities. On December 17 (11 AM - 3 PM), there are treats, a hearty meal, games, and live music. On December 19 (12 PM - 2 PM), you’ll find a small gift shop for holiday shopping. These gatherings help neighbours connect, share stories, and mark the coming return of longer days.
Vancouver (December 21, 112 W Hastings St): “Winter Solstice Journey” is an evening event from 7 PM to 9:30 PM that focuses on self-discovery. Here, you can join shamanic journeying sessions, soak in sound baths with crystal singing bowls, do breathwork, and write in a journal. It’s meant for personal reflection—an indoor retreat for anyone who wants to embrace the solstice as a time for renewal.
Lake Country (December 21, Creekside Theatre): At 7 PM, there’s a performance called “Five Golden Hoops” featuring Indigenous artists from the Okanagan Valley. Through music, dance, and storytelling, this show celebrates Indigenous culture and reminds you that the winter solstice isn’t just about the sun’s return—it’s about understanding and respecting the land’s oldest traditions.
Alberta: Lantern Skates, Wellness Ceremonies, and Music in Cozy Spaces
Alberta’s solstice events show how you can celebrate in all sorts of ways—from skating under lantern light to sitting quietly in a small studio.
Banff (December 21, The Fenlands Banff Recreation Center): From 6 PM to 9 PM, the “Winter Solstice Community Lantern Skate” invites you to make your own lantern, lace up your skates, and glide under gentle lights. There’s live local music, warm tea by the fires, and a feeling that the community is saying goodbye to darkness and hello to longer days.
Edmonton (December 21, Rising Moon Studio in Sherwood Park): A Winter Solstice Ceremony runs from 11 AM to 4 PM. Such events often include mindfulness practices, guided meditations, and intention-setting. It’s about clearing out what no longer serves you and welcoming new light into your life. People come together to breathe, reflect, and support each other’s journeys.
Calgary (December 21, Congress Coffee Company): From 6 PM to 9 PM, “OM Shanties Winter Solstice Celebration” features performances by Rod MacCormack & Jonni Fox with the OM Shanties Orchestra. Only about 40 tickets are available, making it an intimate musical gathering. It’s a chance to enjoy uplifting music and connect with others in a cozy coffee shop setting.
Saskatchewan: Sound Baths, Sauna Sessions, and Cultural Ceremonies
In Saskatchewan, you can honour the solstice through relaxation, cultural gatherings, and gentle yoga.
Saskatoon (December 21, Blackstrap Provincial Park): A Winter Solstice Sound Bath & Sauna event lets you soak in soothing sounds while enjoying a wood-burning barrel sauna. Oracle card readings and artisan boxes from The Prairie Grazer add to the experience. The idea is to find warmth and inner light during the darkest days.
Regina (December 21, Mâmawêyatitän Centre): A Winter Solstice Gathering & Ceremony hosted by the Buffalo People Arts Institute (9:30 AM - 2:00 PM) brings people together for traditional activities. Though details vary, such events often include cultural teachings, storytelling, and a shared sense of purpose. It helps the community recognize the change of seasons and the return of sunlight.
Fort Saskatchewan (December 21, The Space: Yoga, Wellness, Meditation): From 7 PM to 8:30 PM, a gentle yoga event offers calming breathwork and grounding postures. You’re encouraged to bring a pillow, cozy socks, and a journal. This slower pace lets you reflect on the year behind you and the brighter days ahead.
Manitoba: Gongs, Traditional Ceremonies, and Local Gatherings
Manitoba’s solstice celebrations mix sound healing, cultural feasts, and thoughtful community events.
Winnipeg (December 21, 603 Wellington Crescent): A Winter Solstice Gong Bath at 8 PM invites you to lie down and let the sound of gongs wash over you. It’s a quiet, inward journey, helping you find calm as you move through the darkest time of the year.
Carman (December 15, Peace Lily Therapeutics, 20 1st Ave SW): A Winter Solstice Celebration here, for a fee of $40, may include mindfulness and reflection activities. Even before the actual solstice day, people gather to prepare themselves for the coming change.
Beausejour (December 21, Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre): From noon to 5 PM, a Winter Solstice Ceremony includes a sweat lodge, reflection by a sacred fire, and a potluck feast. Attendees might bring tobacco, proper clothing for the sweat lodge, and food to share. It’s a time for gratitude and renewing one’s spirit.
Ontario: Lantern Festivals, Parades, and Market Gatherings
Ontario’s events highlight creativity, community art, and cultural variety.
Toronto (December 21, Kensington Market area): The Kensington Market Winter Solstice Festival (6 PM - 9:30 PM) is a free street festival with fire warming stations, music, tall puppets, and even fire arts displays. You’re encouraged to walk through the narrow streets, following drumming circles, and enjoy the sense that everyone is out there together, turning darkness into a shared celebration.
Hamilton (December 21, Corktown Park): From 6 PM to 9 PM, the Winter Solstice Festival features dancers, musicians, video art, and even a parade. Fire performances and interactive activities like “Cosmic Basketball” add a playful spirit. Everyone is invited to wear or carry something that shines, making the night come alive with light.
St. Catharines (December 15, Market Square): The Yule Faire is a Winter Solstice celebration with over 60 local artisans, cozy treats, gift bags for early visitors, and a gift basket raffle to support OPIRG Brock. It’s a place to shop for unique items and honour the solstice within a warm indoor setting.
Quebec: Wellness, Yoga, and Family Gatherings
Quebec’s solstice events invite you to relax, move your body, and spend time with family.
Mont-Tremblant (December 21, Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant): From morning to evening, you can take guided thermotherapy sessions, join Hatha yoga classes, attend a “Power of Breath” conference, and listen to live music. Enjoying the spa’s thermal baths is a way to welcome the solstice by soothing both body and mind.
Gatineau (December 21, Greater Gatineau Elementary School): Families gather at 297 rue Alice for a Winter Solstice Event. Such gatherings often include crafts, stories, and activities that help children understand this seasonal change in a friendly, welcoming environment.
Montreal (December 21, IDOLEM Hot Yoga Chaud): At 3 PM, a yoga-centered event has participants doing 108 sun salutations. This traditional practice symbolizes renewal and the return of light. It’s a physical and mental challenge that helps you focus on the changing seasons and the fresh start that comes with more daylight.
Nova Scotia: Candles, Crafting, and Active Fun
Nova Scotia’s events show that the solstice can be marked by quiet ceremony or outdoor activities.
Halifax (December 21, Shambhala Centre): From 5 PM to 6 PM, a Solstice Candlelight Ceremony honours love, family, and the return of light. Before it starts, kids can join a flower-arranging workshop at 3 PM. People often bring donations for the Phoenix Youth Shelter. This is about community caring and sharing hope.
Lower Ship Harbour (December 21, The Deanery Project): At 1 PM, you can decorate wooden Yule logs, watch the sunset together, sip hot chocolate, and enjoy candy canes. It’s a simple, family-friendly way to say goodbye to the longest night, surrounded by nature and craftwork.
Hammonds Plains (December 21, Disc Golf Course): A Winter Solstice Disc Golf Tournament runs all day. Even in the cold, people come out to play. It’s a playful way to mark the solstice, proving that you can celebrate in ways that fit your passions—even if that’s an outdoor sport on a short winter day.
New Brunswick: Sound Baths, Multi-Faith Gatherings, and Wellness
In New Brunswick, you can greet the solstice with quiet meditation or join events that bring all faiths together.
Fredericton (December 20, Killarney Lake Rotary Lodge): At 7 PM, a Winter Solstice Sound Bath Meditation helps you slow down and listen. The gentle sounds ease you into a state of calm, showing you that even the darkest night can be peaceful when you tune in.
Hampton (December 22, 966 Main Street): A Winter Solstice Celebration here might include yoga, meditation, or group reflection. Such events help people in smaller communities connect and set intentions as daylight begins to lengthen.
Saint Andrews (December 21, Wesley United Church): From 7 PM to 8 PM, a Multi-Faith Gathering welcomes people of all backgrounds. Through readings, music, and moments of silence, participants find common ground in the simple hope that more light is coming back into the world.
Prince Edward Island: Lantern Walks, Yuletide Festivals, and Mindful Practice
PEI turns the solstice into a reason to gather outdoors or share cozy indoor experiences.
New Glasgow (December 21, PEI Preserve Company): From 6 PM to 8 PM, a River Clyde Winter Solstice Walk invites you to stroll through the Gardens of Hope with lanterns or lights. The walk ends at The Mill, where you’ll find live music, small bonfires, and hot chocolate. It’s about community warmth on a chilly evening.
Summerside (December 21, Veterans Memorial Square Park): As part of the Yuletide Festival, you’ll find solstice-themed activities mixed in with holiday songs, s’mores, and hot chocolate. Frosty the Snowman might even make an appearance. It’s a fun, family event that combines the solstice with general holiday cheer.
Charlottetown (December 21, Local Yoga Studio): A Winter Solstice Yoga & Meditation session helps participants reflect quietly. These gatherings focus on gentle yoga flows, guided meditations, and setting personal intentions. It’s a calm way to mark the shift toward more daylight.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Sound Baths, Lantern Walks, and Northern Traditions
Newfoundland and Labrador’s events balance quiet reflection with outdoor gatherings.
St. John’s (December 21, First Light Centre): An evening sound bath event helps you listen and relax. When the world is dark, the gentle hum of instruments and voices can steady your heart.
Corner Brook (December 21, Margaret Bowater Park): A Winter Solstice Lantern Walk lights up the park. Families stroll through the darkness, carrying lanterns, sharing stories, and warming up with hot drinks at a bonfire. It’s a reminder that even a short walk in the cold can feel magical when shared with others.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay (December 21, Kinsmen Park): A day-long Winter Solstice Celebration might include snowshoeing, storytelling, and cultural activities. Such gatherings highlight local traditions and show that the solstice isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a moment to remember who we are and where we live.
Yukon: Runs, Skiing with a DJ, and Northern Lights
In Yukon, winter solstice events prove you can turn the darkest time into an outdoor adventure.
Whitehorse (December 21, Grey Mountain Road): The Winter Solstice Run starts at 10:30 AM. You can run or walk as far as you like on a 12-kilometer route. Hot chocolate at the finish line makes it all worthwhile. Embracing the cold and the dark through exercise can be empowering.
Whitehorse (December 21, Whitehorse Nordic Centre): A Solstice DJ Party on the Trails invites you to cross-country ski while listening to live DJ music. The trails are lit, and you glide through the forest in a cheerful, unusual way. It’s a celebration that combines nature, community, and fun.
Dawson City (December 21): In Dawson City, the northern lights might put on a show. People come out to watch the sky and celebrate with small gatherings. Northern lights viewing, local holiday markets, and First Nations art makes the solstice feel like a bright point in the long, dark winter.
Northwest Territories: Brief Daylight and Festivals of Light
In the Northwest Territories, some places see very few hours of daylight during the solstice.
Yellowknife (December 21, Yellowknife Bay): With only about 5 hours of daylight, people plan activities within that window. Traditional games, community gatherings, and a focus on nature’s light and dark balance help everyone make the most of this special day.
Inuvik (January 10-12, 2025, after the solstice): The Inuvik Sunrise Festival celebrates the return of the sun after nearly a month of polar night. Though it’s after the actual solstice, it’s linked to the same idea—welcoming the light. There are local foods, dancing, art, snow sculptures, fireworks, and many family activities.
Tuktoyaktuk (December 21, Community Hall): A Community Solstice Gathering that includes traditional games, music, and food. It’s a way to bring people together, acknowledge the darkness, and look forward to the coming daylight.
Nunavut: Honoring the Sun’s Return After Darkness
Nunavut communities experience extreme darkness, making the solstice especially meaningful.
Iqaluit (December 21, Elders’ Qammaq): With just a few hours of daylight, Iqaluit holds a Return of the Sun Celebration. A qulliq (traditional seal oil lamp) may be lit, country food shared, and community members gather to thank the sun for returning. There are stories, drumming, and quiet moments to appreciate the slow turning of the seasons.
Igloolik & Rankin Inlet (December 21, Community Halls): These places often mark the solstice with community gatherings and feasts. Traditional activities link back to centuries of Inuit culture. Even though the darkness is deep, these ceremonies remind you that people here have always found ways to celebrate the sun’s path.
One Country, Many Celebrations
Across Canada, from the rainforests of British Columbia to the frozen tundra of Nunavut, people gather on or around the winter solstice to do one simple but powerful thing: welcome back the sun.
They do it in many ways:
Lighting lanterns and walking together.
Playing music, telling stories, and performing dances.
Enjoying yoga, sound baths, and wellness rituals.
Engaging in cultural ceremonies passed down through generations.
Running, skating, skiing, or even playing disc golf under the night sky.
No matter how different these events might look, they share the same spirit.
By celebrating the winter solstice, Canadians show they understand something deep and simple: the darkness doesn’t last forever. When you join these gatherings, you realize you’re not just a lone figure stepping outside on a cold, dark night. Instead, you’re part of a country-wide community that’s turning the darkest day of the year into a time of warmth, reflection, and hope.
As you welcome the return of the sun, you’re celebrating together with people in every province and territory—each in their own way, but all with a shared understanding that brighter days are coming.
Share Your Winter Solstice Plans and Memories
How are you planning to welcome back the sun this year? Is the winter solstice something you and/or your family usually celebrate? If so, what are your favourite winter solstice memories?
Take a quick sec. to type a comment and share your stories. I look forward to reading all of them.
And then, have a rad rest of your day!