26 Ways to Celebrate Yule & the Winter Solstice

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Plus, learn why so many cultures honor the winter solstice

Co-authored by Raven Minyard, BA Reviewed by Michelle Arbeau

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Celebrating the Solstice
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• What is the winter solstice?
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• Why People Celebrate
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• Video
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• Q&A
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• Tips

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Excited for the winter solstice? Traditionally known as Yule, this ancient, 12-day pagan celebration highlights the sun’s return and the land beginning to thaw and heal. Thankfully, you don’t need to be an ancient pagan to take part in this celebration of healing and revitalization. We’ve put together some festive and spiritual winter solstice traditions from multiple cultures to help you make the most of the upcoming holiday, with helpful tips from professional seasonal decorators and mediums.

The next winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Winter Solstice Celebration Ideas

• Decorate a Yule tree or altar to celebrate the spiritual side of the winter solstice.
• Light lanterns or candles to symbolize the days getting longer.
• Make festive foods and drinks, like a yule log cake and wassail (a hot, mulled drink).
• Host a bonfire or feast to spend time with your loved ones.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

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1. 
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   Decorate a Yule tree. You might already practice a version of this festive tradition. Yule trees go way back to the days of early pagans, where practitioners would use trees to represent the fact that life continues on. Back in the day, some pagans would even adorn their trees with coins, corn, and lights, which signified affluence, a big harvest, and the Sun’s returning light. Feel free to decorate your tree with your own meaningful ornaments and trinkets, though!

   • Yule trees became a popular Christmas tradition in the age of Queen Victoria, who first adopted the tree into the Christian faith.
   • As an alternative, decorate a live outdoor tree with biodegradable, edible ornaments (like popcorn or cranberry garlands) to feed birds and other animals.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Marissa Fidler is a home decor and seasonal decor expert based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her Instagram page, @fidlinaroundhome, has over 73K followers.

   Patricia Penker is an interior designer and the owner of Exclusively to Design, one of the top residential design companies in South Florida. She has over 25 years of experience.

   Jessica Lanyadoo is a humanistic astrologer and psychic medium with over 30 years of professional experience. Her work has been featured in CNN, The Today Show, Rolling Stone, and more.
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   Make winter solstice lanterns. Lanterns are a popular symbol associated with the winter solstice, as they represent adding light to the darkest day of the year. To make your own, seasonal decor expert Marissa Fidler says to buy a pack of battery-operated votive candles and some white paper bags. Decorate the bags however you want, and cut out fun, seasonal shapes. Add ribbon to the outside of the bag, then turn on the candle and place it inside.

   • Another option is to decorate Mason jars with tissue paper and foraged leaves. Place a tea light inside and enjoy the glow.
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   Read winter solstice books and poems. The cold, dark days of the winter solstice are the best time to dive into a new book—and why not read about the winter solstice, while you’re at it? From wellness books to cookbooks, authors have tackled just about every angle of the solstice season. Here are a few titles you can try:

   • The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
   • Yoga Throughout the Year: A Seasonal Approach to Your Practice by Jilly Shipway
   • Winter Harvest Cookbook: How to Select and Prepare Fresh Seasonal Produce All Winter Long by Lane Morgan
   • Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth by Dorothy Morrison
   • Yule: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Winter Solstice by Susan Pesznecker and Llewellyn
   • Feel free to recite your favorite winter solstice quotes, poems, or blessings out loud with your loved ones.
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   Make a Yule altar. These altars are an important spiritual aspect of Yule. Modern-day witches suggest using a simple table as the base for your Yule altar, covered with a blue, green, or white altar cloth. Then, place symbolic items on top of your altar, like candles, snowflake decorations, mistletoe, sun wheels, Yule wreaths, and bells.

   • Blue and white items are a great way to represent winter’s cold weather. These colors also represent protection, tranquility, purity, and cleansing, making them a great addition to your altar.
   • Red and green are another excellent color pairing for your altar.
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   Practice yoga or meditation. Use the stillness of the long night to ground yourself and get in touch with your body. Do some yoga or meditative practices to align yourself with the season’s inward focus. Release old, negative energy, and focus on bringing in new, positive energy.
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   Spend the night with candlelight. Candles are a common part of Yule traditions because they represent the return to light as the days begin to lengthen. To get in the spirit, turn off all your electric lights and do everything by candlelight. This may make normal activities seem extra special and spiritual, and it will help you appreciate the modern conveniences we often take for granted.
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   Livestream the winter solstice at Stonehenge. Stonehenge was created to align with the sun on the winter and summer solstices, so each year, visitors gather at the monument to watch the sunrise. If you can’t visit Stonehenge in person, there are usually livestreams of the event available online so you can watch from the comfort of your own home.
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   Drink wassail. Wassail is a hot, mulled drink perfect for the cold weather. Combine 2 quarts (1.9 L) of apple cider, 1 ½ cups (355 ml) of orange juice, ¾ cups (177 ml) of pineapple juice, 1 tbsp (14.8 ml) of brown sugar, ½ tsp (2.5 ml) of lemon juice, 2 cinnamon sticks, a dash of ground cinnamon, and a dash of ground cloves in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks, then serve in mugs.
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   Build an evergreen wreath. Evergreens are associated with safety, success, and eternal life. They’re an umbrella term for a variety of wintry greens, including mistletoe, holly, pine, ivy, and yew. Weave these plants together into a wreath and display it in your home throughout the winter solstice. Here’s what each type of evergreen represents:

   • Yew: Eternal life and being born again
   • Pine: Healing
   • Holly and ivy: Bad vibes and energy
   • Mistletoe: Affluence and fertility
   • Interior designer Patricia Penker says, “Eucalyptus sprigs, twigs, pinecones, sprigs of berries, pine garland, [and] faux succulents are all fun options [for decorating wreaths]. Keep it simple by only using 1-3 items; it makes for a more dramatic wreath.”
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    Burn a Yule log. This tradition is all about getting rid of bad energy. Start by cutting up your own oak log or buying one from your local home improvement shop or big box retail store. Surround the log with pinecones, whole cinnamon sticks, and sprigs of mistletoe, and set the arrangement down in the middle of your fireplace. Then, light the Yule log on fire to help get rid of any negative energy.

    • If your home doesn’t have a working fireplace, light the log up in an outdoor bonfire instead. Just make sure you have the proper legal permits and permissions before you get started!
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    Make a Yule log cake. This tasty treat represents the log that many people burn in their fireplace. Popularly known as bûche de Noël, this French dessert is an iconic way to celebrate the winter solstice with your loved ones. Typically, a Yule log cake is a chocolate sponge cake that’s filled with whipped cream and rolled to resemble a log. Dress up your cake with mint leaves and cranberries to give it an extra rustic touch.
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    Munch on pomegranate seeds and nuts. This snack is associated with the Iranian winter solstice celebration of Shab-e Yalda. During this holiday, Iranian citizens snack on pomegranate seeds and nuts, read poetry written by the poet Hafiz, and pull an all-nighter to celebrate the sunrise together. Pick up some of these snacks before the winter solstice to make the most out of your celebration!
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    Take a citrus bath. A citrus bath is a popular winter solstice tradition in Japan. During the winter solstice holiday of Toji, some people like to toss many citrus fruits, or yuzu, into their warm bathwater. According to Japanese tradition, these citrus baths can help you stay healthy and prevent you from catching a cold. Add some orange peels or lemon slices to a warm bath and let yourself relax.
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    Participate in a wishing ritual. This ritual puts a reflective spin on your usual New Year’s resolutions. Grab a candle and place it in front of you. Then, light the wick and express your goals and hopes for the new year. While the candle burns, imagine all of these hopes and dreams coming true, and being able to live the life you always wanted. Take some time to draft a “to-do” list of tasks that will help you reach these goals and resolutions.

    • If your goal is to make more money, your to-do list could include steps like “update my resume” and “apply to higher-paying jobs”.
    • If your aspiration is to buy a new house, your task list might have steps like “improve my credit score”, “consult with a real estate agent”, and “browse homes within my price range”.
    • To make the most of this ritual, pick out candles that will burn down quickly as you reflect on your goals, like tea lights.
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    Walk the spiral path. In some modern traditions, spirals are associated with the winter solstice because they represent the seasonal cycle, moving inward toward the winter solstice at the center and out toward spring and summer. Walk a spiral path and light a candle at the center to symbolize carrying light through the darkest time.
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    Make pomanders. Pomanders are festive holiday decorations made by sticking cloves in orange rinds. Grab some firm oranges and use a citrus zester to create patterns in the peel. Make small holes with a toothpick or nail and stick the cloves in. Place the pomanders in a bowl to serve as a fragrant solstice centerpiece.
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    Take a night walk. If you can stand the cold, bundle up and take a walk to enjoy the longest night of the year. Bring a lantern or candle with you, and encourage your friends and family to come along. Embracing nature is an important part of Yule celebrations.
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    Watch the sunrise or sunset. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, so enjoy as much sunlight as you can! Wake up early to watch the sun rise with a hot mug of coffee, cocoa, or cider. Then, do the same to watch the sun sink below the horizon.
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    Create a traditional winter feast. Enjoying a meal with your loved ones is always fun, and it’s also a great way to celebrate the solstice. Prepare seasonal foods like roasted root vegetables, rich meats, and spiced drinks. Spend time eating, drinking, laughing, and making memories with the people you care about.
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    Make winter crowns. Like flower crowns, weave together seasonal elements from the natural world to create a crown. Consider using things like evergreen leaves, berries, and twigs. Wear the crown to a winter solstice celebration or use it as a decoration.
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    Write a gratitude list. The winter solstice encourages us to reflect, be mindful, and show gratitude. Sit down in a quiet place and reflect on your year. Make a list of all the things you’re grateful for. Remember to give thanks to the people you’ve shared special moments with and the hard work you’ve put into reaching milestones.
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    Do a tarot card reading. Gain some perspective with 3-card spread. Draw 3 different tarot cards and set them down in front of you. Reflect on the first card to see what you shouldn’t be taking with you into the new year. Then, mull over the second card to identify a hidden blessing waiting for you in the here and now. Finish things off by using the third card to set a new goal or resolution for yourself in the upcoming year.

    • This isn’t connected directly to ancient pagan traditions, but it’s a popular practice by modern witches.
    • If you’re new to tarot, astrologer and psychic medium Jessica Lanyadoo says, “A one-card reading or a three-card reading is the best way to not confuse yourself and overcomplicate.” She also recommends using a tarot book to understand the cards’ meanings.
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    Clean out your living space. Winter solstice is the perfect opportunity to get rid of old trinkets and belongings. Go through your bedroom, living room, or any other living space that’s looking a bit cluttered and messy. Toss out any items that you no longer need, and take some time to reorganize and spruce up your newly-cleaned living space.

    • The Yule celebration is all about letting go of the past and looking toward the future. Cleaning out your living space really embodies this tradition.
24. 24
    Take part in a community event. A big part of the winter solstice is celebrating with others. Many places host community events to celebrate the holiday and invite people to gather to reflect on the year. If there aren’t any events in your area, consider hosting your own!
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    Host a bonfire. Embrace the darkness and prepare for the return to light by hosting a bonfire. Invite your friends and family to gather around the firepit and swap stories, reflect on their year, and talk about their goals for the new year. Just be sure to check your local regulations to make sure you’re allowed to have a bonfire.
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    Spend time with your friends and family. Many winter solstice traditions revolve around gathering and celebrating with others. Scandinavia’s St. Lucia Day involves a festive feast, while China’s Dong Zhi winter solstice holiday encourages families to gather, celebrate the new year, and enjoy delicious food together. No matter where you are, spending time with loved ones is a great way to reflect on what you’ve learned over the past year and celebrate what the new year has to offer!

    • Licensed clinical psychologist Jennifer Guttman, PsyD, says, “Figure out if there are some family rituals that you want to add to a certain holiday that can become part of a tradition.” Involving your loved ones’ traditions in your festivities will likely make your celebration even more special.
    • Dr. Guttman adds that if you can’t be with your loved ones in person, consider FaceTiming or Zooming with them so you can still spend time with them during your celebration.
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Section 2 of 3:

What is the winter solstice?

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1. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. It occurs around December 21 in the northern hemisphere and around June 21 in the southern hemisphere. The winter solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter and occurs because the Earth is tilted as far away from the sun as possible.

Section 3 of 3:

Why do people celebrate the winter solstice?

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1. Many cultures consider the winter solstice to be a rebirth. The winter solstice marks the slow return of longer days, symbolizing the “rebirth” of the sun. Throughout history, cultures have often celebrated the winter solstice to look forward to brighter (and warmer) days ahead. Since the solstice is a natural turning point, it is also a time for reflection, renewal, and community.

   • There are many different winter solstice celebrations around the world. One of the most recognizable is Yule, an ancient Germanic and Norse festival now celebrated by many modern pagans and witches.
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  Do I have to be religious or a non-Christian to celebrate winter solstice?

  

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  No, definitely not. Customize your celebration so it fits you and your family.

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  What do I need to do to spiritually to prepare for Winter solstice?

  

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  Cast a circle or cast a spell. You can also make your altar or write in your Book of Shadows!

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  What is a book of shadows?

  

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  A book of shadows is essentially a personal spell diary. Traditionally, they were destroyed upon one's death.

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• During the winter solstice, the Hopi Native Americans celebrate throughout the night with a special ceremony.
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• Dong Zhi is the name of the traditional winter solstice celebration in China. Many southern Chinese citizens prepare tang yuan (glutinous rice balls), while northern Chinese citizens cook regular and/or meat-filled dumplings.
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