Summer solstice
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the UK.
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Monday, 21 June 2027
Summer solstice 2027
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| Event | Date | Countdown | Region / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer solstice 2027 | Monday, 21 June 2027 | In 11 months | UK |
| Summer solstice 2028 | Tuesday, 20 June 2028 | In 1 year 11 months | UK |
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. In the UK it falls around 21 June. At Stonehenge, the solstice sunrise aligns with the Heel Stone and an annual public gathering marks the occasion. After the solstice, days begin to shorten until the winter solstice in December. The meteorological summer begins on 1 June, a few weeks before the astronomical solstice.
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Verified 13 May 2026
Questions
When is the summer solstice in 2026?
It falls on 21 June 2026.
What is the longest day of the year in the UK?
In London, around 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight at the solstice.
What happens at Stonehenge on the solstice?
An annual public gathering marks the solstice sunrise, which aligns with the Heel Stone. English Heritage manages access.
Is the summer solstice the same as the start of meteorological summer?
No. Meteorological summer begins on 1 June. The astronomical solstice falls around 21 June.
After the solstice, do days get shorter immediately?
Yes — from 22 June onwards each day loses a small amount of daylight until the winter solstice in December.