A solstice is the day the sun stands farthest north or south — the longest day of the year in one hemisphere and the shortest in the other.

In 2026, June 21 and December 21. The noon sun stands 23.4° higher or lower than at the equinox. At mid-latitudes the earliest sunset comes a week or two before the December solstice and the latest sunrise a week or two after it, because solar noon itself drifts on the clock — the equation of time.

In June and December; the sun's noon height and the day's length turn around, though the earliest sunset and latest sunrise fall days apart.