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The Winter solstice or Midwinter, depending on the shift of the calendar, occurs some time between December 20 and December 23 in the Northern Hemisphere, and between June 20 and June 23 in the Southern Hemisphere, during either the shortest day or longest night of the year. Though the winter solstice lasts an instant, the term is also colloquially used to refer to the full 24-hour day on which it occurs.

The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradually lengthening nights and shortening days. Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.