Thousands of people have gathered at Stonehenge today to mark the shortest day of the year – the winter solstice. From pagans, to druids and tourists, the neolithical monument attracts people from different walks of life each year. The Stonehenge was built around 3,000 BC to align with the winter solstice sunset, and people have gathered to mark the shortest day of the year ever since.
Image Credit: Metro [Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15025819d) The White Horse Morris Group perform for the crowds during the Winter Solstice celebrations. The Winter Solstice 2024 marks both the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice also marks the start of the historic pagan festival, Yule. Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice At Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, Uk - 21 Dec 2024]
As dawn approached this morning, cheers and applause could be heard despite the windy conditions. One person who attended for the first time was Chris Smith, who said the ‘spritiual draw of the area’ attracted him to the location. The 31-year-old civil servant said: ‘This is all about renewal, rebirth, we’re entering into the new year, and it’s also a good time to acknowledge what’s taking place in the year that’s been.
Image Credit: Metro [Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15025819h) A choir sing the sun up near the Heel stone during the Winter Solstice celebrations. The Winter Solstice 2024 marks both the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice also marks the start of the historic pagan festival, Yule. Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice At Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, Uk - 21 Dec 2024]
‘For me, I’ve gone through a bit of a tumultuous year, there’s been lots that has taken place for me in the past 24 months, and this is an opportunity to consolidate everything that has taken place this year and bury that in the past and be able to move forward then into this next new year.
Image Credit: Metro [Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15025819j) Three Santa runners stop off outside the stone circle to celebrate the Winter Solstice with others. The Winter Solstice 2024 marks both the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice also marks the start of the historic pagan festival, Yule. Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice At Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, Uk - 21 Dec 2024]
‘There’s such a vibe. I mean, if you look around, you’ve got everybody here, there’s such an energy in the space. ‘You can really feel it, like it’s all good vibes. People are just here enjoying themselves, and that’s kind of one of the draws of these sorts of events.
Image Credit: Metro [Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15025819t) In the stone circle visitors play instruments and some wear pagan costumes during the Winter Solstice celebrations. The Winter Solstice 2024 marks both the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice also marks the start of the historic pagan festival, Yule. Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice At Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, Uk - 21 Dec 2024]
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15025819d) The White Horse Morris Group perform for the crowds during the Winter Solstice celebrations. The Winter Solstice 2024 marks both the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice also marks the start of the historic pagan festival, Yule. Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice At Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, Uk - 21 Dec 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233922062-4066.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15025819h) A choir sing the sun up near the Heel stone during the Winter Solstice celebrations. The Winter Solstice 2024 marks both the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice also marks the start of the historic pagan festival, Yule. Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice At Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, Uk - 21 Dec 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233922374-3691.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15025819j) Three Santa runners stop off outside the stone circle to celebrate the Winter Solstice with others. The Winter Solstice 2024 marks both the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice also marks the start of the historic pagan festival, Yule. Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice At Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, Uk - 21 Dec 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233922423-46d1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15025819t) In the stone circle visitors play instruments and some wear pagan costumes during the Winter Solstice celebrations. The Winter Solstice 2024 marks both the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice also marks the start of the historic pagan festival, Yule. Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice At Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, Uk - 21 Dec 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233922586-9b13.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
