Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, United Kingdom

© John Finney Photography/Getty Image

Bring on the light. December solstice

Here's to a great night out or a cozy night in on the longest night of the year! On this day, the Northern Hemisphere, where Canada is located, is tilted farthest from the sun, resulting in the earliest sunset and the shortest day of the year. Called the December solstice, it marks the official beginning of winter and longer days ahead, giving a nice boost to the festive mood.

Archaeologists believe that ancient civilizations arranged stone circles to align with lunar and solar positions and used them to celebrate events like the solstice. Pictured here is one such site—Castlerigg Stone Circle, located in the Lake District in northwest England. With 40 stones arranged in a circular pattern, this Neolithic monument dates back to 3000 BCE. While some aspects of Castlerigg's solar alignments remain a mystery, the allure of its ancient charm has magnetically drawn visitors throughout the centuries.