The winter solstice will hit Kelowna at exactly 7:27 p.m. tonight (Dec. 21).

Solstices occur on either the 21 or 22 of December each year and marks the moment that the north pole is the furthest from the sun. The winter solstice also signifies the day with the fewest hours of sunlight and the official start to winter.

For Kelowna residents, winter solstice means a meagre 8 hours and 5 minutes of daylight with a 7:53 a.m. sunrise and a 3:58p.m. sunset.

However, from the winter solstice on Dec. 21, until the summer solstice on June 20, 2024º¦Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù“which marks the longest day of the yearº¦Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù“ there will be a few more minutes of sunlight each day.

In many cultures, the solstice is a time for celebration.

In Kelowna, people gather at to celebrate each solstice, equinox and every full and new moon.

The gatherings typically feature a guided group meditation in the wineryº¦Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù™s pyramid, snacks, drumming and dancing around a fire. For more information visit the

The held a Winter Solstice Indigenous Market on Bernard Avenue to celebrate the day.

If you are outdoors tonight, be sure to look up at the moon which will be in a Waxing Gibbous phase.