Name: Winter Solstice at SunWatch Village
Start: 2025-12-21T07:00:00-05:00
Location: SunWatch Village

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with us at SunWatch Village on December 21st!
Witness the breathtaking sunrise at 7:54 am and experience an ancient astronomical alignment where the shadow of the Center Pole falls directly onto the Solstice House, symbolizing renewal and rebirth. Join us for FREE admission from 7:00 am to noon, followed by regular hours until 4:00 pm. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries while taking in this extraordinary event at SunWatch Village, a National Historic Landmark inhabited between AD 1150 to 1450 during the Middle Fort Ancient period.
SunWatch Village offers insights into archaeoastronomy as it was practiced by its inhabitants. A 40-foot Eastern red cedar pole was strategically placed at the center of the village to function as a solar calendar, shifting its shadow throughout the year in alignment with seasonal movements. Two ceremonial buildings mark important days, one for planting and harvest aligned with sunrise on specific days, while another marks the Winter Solstice when the Sun reaches its southernmost point.
On the Winter Solstice, which occurs around December 21st and marks the start of winter, sunlight strikes the Northern Hemisphere at its lowest angle, resulting in the shortest day and longest night. Join us to celebrate this unique event at SunWatch Village!