Winter Solstice Celebration

Celebrating the winter solstice goes back 5,000 years. Join us as we light up the night with a Solstice stroll and celebration at Ward Reservation. Participants will meet in the parking lot for a guided candlelit walk through the woods that will include presented passages from the story "The Shortest Day" by Wendy Pfeffer.

After hiking to the top of Holt Hill, which at an elevation of 420 feet above sea level is the highest point in Essex County and offers views of the Boston skyline and even the Blue Hills, the celebration will commence with a gathering around the solstice stones at Holt Hill's summit. This compass-like arrangement of stones indicates the cardinal points on the compass, the points of the summer and winter solstices, and the points of the spring and autumnal equinoxes. Here, participants can warm up by a fire as we welcome the new season under the stars and marvel at the exquisite talents of fire performer Tetra, blending contemporary dance movements with poi spinning.

Due to this event selling out last year, timed tickets are now available. Please select your desired time when checking out. Either a 6PM to 7PM time slot or a 7:30PM to 8:30PM time slot.

Space is limited; Pre-registration required.