The 2025 winter solstice arrives on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:03 a.m. EST, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. This astronomical event signifies the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, a time when the Earth's tilt causes the Northern Hemisphere to lean farthest away from the Sun. As a result, daylight hours are significantly reduced. Cities like New York and Chicago experience approximately six hours less of daylight, while northern cities such as Minneapolis and Seattle see about seven hours less. This dramatic difference in daylight impacts daily life, from work schedules to outdoor activities.