Winter Solstice Celebration

 Location: Keewaydin Farms, 15270 Haucke Ln, Viola, WI 54664

Date: Saturday, December 20th, 2025

Time: NOON – 6:00 PM

Details:

The Winter Solstice marks the time of year when the path of the sun across the sky is furthest south in the Northern Hemisphere (December 21st or 22nd) and we experience the shortest day and longest night. This time also marks the astronomical beginning of the winter season as well as the moment we begin gaining daylight. The Winter Solstice has played an important role in cultures worldwide from ancient times until today and many of the customs, lore, symbols, and rituals associated with Christmas come from solstice or yule celebrations of ancient cultures. Human beings have an age-old relationship with the sun and have associated this dark hour with death and rebirth, when the old sun dies and the new one is reborn, a time when the natural world and our own spirits are renewed. It is a time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the next. It is a time to gather together to celebrate the successes of the past year and the hope of returning light and life. In Ancient Rome, the Winter Solstice festival or “Saturnalia” began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. It was held to honor Saturnus, the Roman god of agriculture and harvest, and was characterized by festivities. Some traditional activities include gathering around a fire, decorating with evergreens (symbols of abundance), lighting candles, preparing a feast, building a yule altar, leaving offerings for nature, generosity (gift-giving), and singing. Let’s gather and lift each other up during the darkest days! We’ll build a yule altar and solstice spiral and have solstice crafts in the barn. Bring your cross-country skis and sleds to slide around the farm, and warm up around the fire with some hot chocolate and holiday treats afterwards!

 

Free Community Event

Indoor and Outdoor Activities

Bundle Up!

Donations Appreciated  

Email: joy@driftlesscuriosity.org with any questions.