When Does Winter Start in 2026?
Winter 2026 starts on Monday, December 21, 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere, at 20:50 UTC (3:50 PM EST).
Sources: US Naval Observatory Updated
69 days to go: open the live countdown
First day of winter dates, 2026 to 2035
| Year | Date | Day | Starts (UTC) | US Eastern time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday | December 21, 2026, 20:50 UTC | Monday, December 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM EST | |
| 2027 | Wednesday | December 22, 2027, 02:42 UTC | Tuesday, December 21, 2027 at 9:42 PM EST | |
| 2028 | Thursday | December 21, 2028, 08:20 UTC | Thursday, December 21, 2028 at 3:20 AM EST | |
| 2029 | Friday | December 21, 2029, 14:14 UTC | Friday, December 21, 2029 at 9:14 AM EST | |
| 2030 | Saturday | December 21, 2030, 20:09 UTC | Saturday, December 21, 2030 at 3:09 PM EST | |
| 2031 | Monday | December 22, 2031, 01:56 UTC | Sunday, December 21, 2031 at 8:56 PM EST | |
| 2032 | Tuesday | December 21, 2032, 07:56 UTC | Tuesday, December 21, 2032 at 2:56 AM EST | |
| 2033 | Wednesday | December 21, 2033, 13:45 UTC | Wednesday, December 21, 2033 at 8:45 AM EST | |
| 2034 | Thursday | December 21, 2034, 19:34 UTC | Thursday, December 21, 2034 at 2:34 PM EST | |
| 2035 | Saturday | December 22, 2035, 01:31 UTC | Friday, December 21, 2035 at 8:31 PM EST |
Dates are for the Northern Hemisphere and are given in UTC and US Eastern time. In time zones far from these the calendar date can be a day earlier or later.
How the date is set
Astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere begins at the December solstice, which falls on December 21 or 22 in most years.
At the December solstice the Sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky, giving the Northern Hemisphere its shortest day of the year.
Good to know
- Meteorologists count winter from December 1 instead.
- In the Southern Hemisphere the December solstice is the start of summer.
Frequently asked questions
What day does winter start in 2026?
Monday. Winter 2026 starts on December 21, 2026.
How many days until the first day of winter?
69 days, counted from October 13, 2026. The live countdown shows the number for today in your time zone.
Is the first day of winter on the same date every year?
No. Astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere begins at the December solstice, which falls on December 21 or 22 in most years.
When does winter start in 2027?
Wednesday, December 22, 2027.
Sources
- US Naval Observatory: Earth's Seasons — published equinox and solstice times