Exact date sun will set after 5pm again after winter solstice

Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge at dusk. Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben is a classic London landmark (Image: Richard Sharrocks via Getty Images)

The UK is about to experience its shortest day of the year, with the winter solstice set to take place later this week.

After this, days will gradually start to lengthen, offering increasing hours of daylight as we progress towards spring.

The exact date of the winter solstice varies annually, but it always falls between December 20 and 23. This year, the solstice is scheduled for Sunday, December 21

Technically speaking the solstice isn't the entire day, just the moment the sun appears to stand still before setting. It will take place at 3.03pm this Sunday.

The sun is expected to set at 3:54pm in London. This event marks the start of astronomical winter, although meteorological winter begins slightly earlier, on December 1.

Based on predictions, the UK won't witness a sunset after 5pm until Wednesday, January 28, 2026. This applies to County Fermanagh, one of the most westerly regions of Northern Ireland.

Londoners can anticipate waiting an additional ten days - until February 7 - for a post-5pm sunset, while in Edinburgh it's predicted to be around February 8.

Cardiff is forecasted to experience a 5.02pm sunset on February 1, while Birmingham is due a 5.01pm sunset on February 5.

Winter solstice traditions and rituals have been observed by Pagans for thousands of years. Stonehenge hosts an annual gathering where attendees assemble to watch the sunrise on the year's shortest day.

A number of Christmas customs, such as Yule logs, mistletoe and Christmas trees, stem from Pagan winter solstice festivities.

The Druids, who were the priests of the ancient Celts, used evergreen trees, holly and mistletoe as emblems of eternal life during these ceremonies.