What Is The Darkest Day Of The Year 2024. Winter solstice is the shortest day of year, longest night of the year and the official first day of winter in the northern hemisphere. Find the best nights to stargaze using our dark sky calendar!

Throughout the northern hemisphere, the day of the solstice has the fewest hours of possible sunlight and the night has the most hours of darkness. By wednesday, december 9, afternoons will already be brighter.