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Winter solstice

Dec. 22 is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing us the shortest daylight period and longest night of the year.

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Dec. 22, 2011

In a composite of seven images using time lapse photography, Alexander Gauger, 13, whose birthday is Dec. 22, searches for a good fishing spot as the sun passes over Lake Fairfax during winter solstice in Reston. For the northern hemisphere, winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Dick Schmitt of Vienna watches his fishing pole during a fishing expedition with his grandson as the sunsets over Lake Fairfax.

Dec. 22, 2011

Dick Schmitt of Vienna watches his fishing pole during a fishing expedition with his grandson as the sunsets over Lake Fairfax.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Alexander Gauger pulls a trout from Lake Fairfax.

Dec. 22, 2011

Alexander Gauger pulls a trout from Lake Fairfax.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

The day's catch is strung together.

Dec. 22, 2011

The day's catch is strung together.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

The Foggy Bottom Morris Men have been celebrating the winter solstice in Takoma Park since the 1970s. They perform Morris dancing at the Takoma Park Gazebo. Steve Roth, holds antlers used in one of the dances.

Dec. 22, 2011

The Foggy Bottom Morris Men have been celebrating the winter solstice in Takoma Park since the 1970s. They perform Morris dancing at the Takoma Park Gazebo. Steve Roth, holds antlers used in one of the dances.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Alex Dennis, right, and other members of The Foggy Bottom Morris Men perform.

Dec. 22, 2011

Alex Dennis, right, and other members of The Foggy Bottom Morris Men perform.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The folk dancing is English in origin and some dances date back before Shakespeare using bells, sticks, handkerchiefs and masks.

Dec. 22, 2011

The folk dancing is English in origin and some dances date back before Shakespeare using bells, sticks, handkerchiefs and masks.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Marion Cornell, 8, of Wheaton gets a good view from a tree.

Dec. 22, 2011

Marion Cornell, 8, of Wheaton gets a good view from a tree.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Bill Brown plays the devil in a skit.

Dec. 22, 2011

Bill Brown plays the devil in a skit.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The Foggy Bottom Morris Men perform.

Dec. 22, 2011

The Foggy Bottom Morris Men perform.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Nathaniel Brown, left, and other members of the Foggy Bottom Morris Men perform.

Dec. 22, 2011

Nathaniel Brown, left, and other members of the Foggy Bottom Morris Men perform.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Zakia Thomas, 6, bottom, and her father, Robert Thomas of Takoma Park, watch the dancing.

Dec. 22, 2011

Zakia Thomas, 6, bottom, and her father, Robert Thomas of Takoma Park, watch the dancing.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The Foggy Bottom Morris Men perform a skit.

Dec. 22, 2011

The Foggy Bottom Morris Men perform a skit.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Tara Nichols, Ely Nelson and Michael Kelly watch the sun set on the back section of the Lincoln Memorial on the shortest day of the year.

Dec. 22, 2011

Tara Nichols, Ely Nelson and Michael Kelly watch the sun set on the back section of the Lincoln Memorial on the shortest day of the year.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Birds take flight near the Capitol building Thursday afternoon. The winter solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year and marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere.

Dec. 22, 2011

Birds take flight near the Capitol building Thursday afternoon. The winter solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year and marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

A seagull takes flight on the National Mall during the winter solstice.

Dec. 22, 2011

A seagull takes flight on the National Mall during the winter solstice.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Tourists stand on the steps outside the Lincoln Memorial as the sun sets.

Dec. 22, 2011

Tourists stand on the steps outside the Lincoln Memorial as the sun sets.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

The winter solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Dec. 22, 2011

The winter solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

Dec. 22, 2011

The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Sunlight kisses a cloud over Arlington on the winter solstice.

Dec. 22, 2011

Sunlight kisses a cloud over Arlington on the winter solstice.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Ducks on the water on the National Mall as the sun sets.

Dec. 22, 2011

Ducks on the water on the National Mall as the sun sets.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

On the West Coast, during the early morning light of the winter solstice, sheep graze in the tall grass and oak trees fill the rolling-hill landscape above Pinole, Calif.

Dec. 22, 2011

On the West Coast, during the early morning light of the winter solstice, sheep graze in the tall grass and oak trees fill the rolling-hill landscape above Pinole, Calif.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

As the winter solstice approaches the the West Coast, an English-style horseback rider and her horse trot along Stinson Beach at sunset, in Stinson Beach, Calif.

Dec. 21, 2011

As the winter solstice approaches the the West Coast, an English-style horseback rider and her horse trot along Stinson Beach at sunset, in Stinson Beach, Calif.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Sunlight spills into National Cathedral in Washington. For the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter.

Dec. 22, 2011

Sunlight spills into National Cathedral in Washington. For the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

A man runs along the Mount Vernon Trail on the winter solstice in Alexandria.

Dec. 22, 2011

A man runs along the Mount Vernon Trail on the winter solstice in Alexandria.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Brothers Spencer and Max Ernst, right, try to coax their dog, Stevie Ray, across a log while hiking Northwest Branch Trail in Silver Spring on the winter solstice. 'We walk our dog back here every day,' said Spencer, who is looking forward to the longer days. 'If you don't get going by 4, you will be walking home in the dark, and that's not real fun.'

Dec. 22, 2011

Brothers Spencer and Max Ernst, right, try to coax their dog, Stevie Ray, across a log while hiking Northwest Branch Trail in Silver Spring on the winter solstice. "We walk our dog back here every day," said Spencer, who is looking forward to the longer days. "If you don't get going by 4, you will be walking home in the dark, and that's not real fun."

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Carly Elliott positions her marshmallow over a fire while making a s'more at the winter solstice campfire event at the Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda.

Dec. 22, 2011

Carly Elliott positions her marshmallow over a fire while making a s'more at the winter solstice campfire event at the Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Trees bloom near the corner of 36th Street NW and Newark Street NW in Washington on the winter solstice.

Dec. 22, 2011

Trees bloom near the corner of 36th Street NW and Newark Street NW in Washington on the winter solstice.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Dew collects on a chain railing along the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria.

Dec. 22, 2011

Dew collects on a chain railing along the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Condensation partially covers the windows and doors of CrossFit Oldtown as Kurt Rupprecht works out before sunrise on the winter solstice in Alexandria.

Dec. 22, 2011

Condensation partially covers the windows and doors of CrossFit Oldtown as Kurt Rupprecht works out before sunrise on the winter solstice in Alexandria.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

The sun rises over a frosty horse pasture along the wasatch front during Winter Solstice in Morgan, Utah.

Dec. 22, 2011

The sun rises over a frosty horse pasture along the wasatch front during Winter Solstice in Morgan, Utah.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

The sun rises over a frosty horse pasture along the wasatch front during Winter Solstice in Morgan, Utah.

Dec. 22, 2011

The sun rises over a frosty horse pasture along the wasatch front during Winter Solstice in Morgan, Utah.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

The sunrise is reflected in the blue eye of a paint horse during Winter Solstice in Morgan, Utah.

Dec. 22, 2011

The sunrise is reflected in the blue eye of a paint horse during Winter Solstice in Morgan, Utah.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

A bicycle rests against a shrub during this time lapse photo of the first hours of winter in Myersville, Md. The composite photo is a compilation of 174 images exposed at 30 seconds each starting at 12:45 a.m. and ending at 4:13 a.m. The exposure was set at ISO 640, 30 second shutter speed at f3.2 with a 14mm lens and 1 minute 10 seconds between exposures. The winter solstice is the shortest period of daylight experienced in the Mid-Atlantic during the year. The streaks of light are stars appearing to move as the Earth rotates.

Dec. 22, 2011

A bicycle rests against a shrub during this time lapse photo of the first hours of winter in Myersville, Md. The composite photo is a compilation of 174 images exposed at 30 seconds each starting at 12:45 a.m. and ending at 4:13 a.m. The exposure was set at ISO 640, 30 second shutter speed at f3.2 with a 14mm lens and 1 minute 10 seconds between exposures. The winter solstice is the shortest period of daylight experienced in the Mid-Atlantic during the year. The streaks of light are stars appearing to move as the Earth rotates.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

A customer at a fast food restaurant that is open 24 hours nods for a bit while drinking coffee and reading the newspaper at 2:04 a.m. in Wheaton, Md.

Dec. 22, 2011

A customer at a fast food restaurant that is open 24 hours nods for a bit while drinking coffee and reading the newspaper at 2:04 a.m. in Wheaton, Md.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

Thin clouds glow above an old farmhouse at 4:30 a.m. in Damascus, Md. (30-second time exposure.)

Dec. 22, 2011

Thin clouds glow above an old farmhouse at 4:30 a.m. in Damascus, Md. (30-second time exposure.)

Michael Williamson / The Washington Post

A bunny enjoys which might well be its first meal (grass) of this winter at 1:21 a.m. in Silver Spring, Md.

Dec, 22, 2011

A bunny enjoys which might well be its first meal (grass) of this winter at 1:21 a.m. in Silver Spring, Md.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

A fallen leaf sits in a shallow pool of water at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Memorial in Washington.

Dec. 22, 2011

A fallen leaf sits in a shallow pool of water at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Memorial in Washington.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street on the longest night of the year. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Dec. 22, 2011

Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street on the longest night of the year. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

The dock at the Potomac Boat Club in Washington, with the Key Bridge in the background, at 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 22, the longest night of the year. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Dec. 22, 2011

The dock at the Potomac Boat Club in Washington, with the Key Bridge in the background, at 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 22, the longest night of the year. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

A holiday tree sits in the middle of the Francis Scott Key memorial in Georgetown. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Dec. 22, 2011

A holiday tree sits in the middle of the Francis Scott Key memorial in Georgetown. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

A visitor stands in the ladder of light being cast by Charles Ross' Prism Spectrum installation at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington.

Dec. 22, 2011

A visitor stands in the ladder of light being cast by Charles Ross' Prism Spectrum installation at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

A jet leaves a long contrail in the early morning sky above Washington.

Dec. 22, 2011

A jet leaves a long contrail in the early morning sky above Washington.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Birds fly around the roof line of the LDS Temple in Kensington, Md., as the sun rises on Dec. 22. Today is the winter solstice — the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year.

Dec. 22, 2011

Birds fly around the roof line of the LDS Temple in Kensington, Md., as the sun rises on Dec. 22. Today is the winter solstice — the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Midday sun, low in the southern sky, highlights hot dogs and half smokes at Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington.

Dec. 22, 2011

Midday sun, low in the southern sky, highlights hot dogs and half smokes at Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

Edgar Alvarado and his girlfriend, Ashley Moore (back to camera), enjoy a late night/early morning breakfast at the iHop Restaurant on University Boulevard in Wheaton, Md. They both had finished a long day, as it was their last day of finals at the University of Maryland where they are students. They are eating at 12:30 a..m., the exact moment that marks the winter solstice.

Dec. 22, 2011

Edgar Alvarado and his girlfriend, Ashley Moore (back to camera), enjoy a late night/early morning breakfast at the iHop Restaurant on University Boulevard in Wheaton, Md. They both had finished a long day, as it was their last day of finals at the University of Maryland where they are students. They are eating at 12:30 a..m., the exact moment that marks the winter solstice.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

Jasmine Gonzales gets a soda out of a vending machine while doing laundry at the Speedy Laundromat at 3:34 a.m. on Georgia Ave.

Dec. 22, 2011

Jasmine Gonzales gets a soda out of a vending machine while doing laundry at the Speedy Laundromat at 3:34 a.m. on Georgia Ave.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

Yvonne Michelle calls a relative for a ride after getting stranded at the Wheaton Metro station at 2:25 a.m. after late night shopping at a nearby grocery store.

Dec. 22, 2011

Yvonne Michelle calls a relative for a ride after getting stranded at the Wheaton Metro station at 2:25 a.m. after late night shopping at a nearby grocery store.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

Tow truck operator Aaron Murray sweeps up debris from an auto accident on Georgia Ave. at 12:45 a.m. on University Blvd in Wheaton, Md. It was his first accident job of the new winter.

Dec. 22, 2011

Tow truck operator Aaron Murray sweeps up debris from an auto accident on Georgia Ave. at 12:45 a.m. on University Blvd in Wheaton, Md. It was his first accident job of the new winter.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

Julian Stern does part of his planned 3-mile late night/early morning jog at 1:40 a.m. on Plyers Mill Rd. in Kensington, Md. Stern lives in Los Angeles, but is in town visiting family for the holidays.

Dec. 22, 2011

Julian Stern does part of his planned 3-mile late night/early morning jog at 1:40 a.m. on Plyers Mill Rd. in Kensington, Md. Stern lives in Los Angeles, but is in town visiting family for the holidays.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

A night time window display at the Botanica Boriuca shop on University Boulevard in Wheaton, Md. The shop specializes in religious statuary and figurines.

Dec. 22, 2011

A night time window display at the Botanica Boriuca shop on University Boulevard in Wheaton, Md. The shop specializes in religious statuary and figurines.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

A visitor makes his way through the entrance at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. The solstice marks the first of winter and the shortest day.

Dec. 22, 2011

A visitor makes his way through the entrance at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. The solstice marks the first of winter and the shortest day.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

The eastern sky brightens behind a Christmas tree just before sunrise on the the first morning of astronomical winter, the winter solstice, in North Beach, Md.

Dec. 22, 2011

The eastern sky brightens behind a Christmas tree just before sunrise on the the first morning of astronomical winter, the winter solstice, in North Beach, Md.

Ray K. Saunders / The Washington Post

A waning crescent moon hangs over the Chesapeake Bay just before sunrise on the the first morning of astronomical winter, the winter solstice, in North Beach, Md.

Dec. 22, 2011

A waning crescent moon hangs over the Chesapeake Bay just before sunrise on the the first morning of astronomical winter, the winter solstice, in North Beach, Md.

Ray K. Saunders / The Washington Post

Mallard ducks swim at sunrise on the Chesapeake Bay on the the first morning of astronomical winter, the winter solstice, in North Beach, Md.

Dec. 22, 2011

Mallard ducks swim at sunrise on the Chesapeake Bay on the the first morning of astronomical winter, the winter solstice, in North Beach, Md.

Ray K. Saunders / The Washington Post

The morning sky is reflected in windows of a home along the Chesapeake Bay.

Dec. 22, 2011

The morning sky is reflected in windows of a home along the Chesapeake Bay.

Ray K. Saunders / The Washington Post

The rising sun is reflected in the window of Henry House in Virginia's Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Dec. 22, 2011

The rising sun is reflected in the window of Henry House in Virginia's Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Tracy A. Woodward / The Washington Post

The statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson stands over Manassas National Battlefield Park at sunrise.

Dec. 22, 2011

The statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson stands over Manassas National Battlefield Park at sunrise.

Tracy A. Woodward / The Washington Post

The morning sky brightens over the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, seen from Alexandria, Va.

Dec. 22, 2011

The morning sky brightens over the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, seen from Alexandria, Va.

Michael Golden / The Washington Post

A calm and unseasonably cool morning settles in on the Potomac River as people begin their day. In this long exposure shot, two planes from Reagan National are seen streaking across the early morning sky along with a crescent-shaped moon. A biker's light also streaks across the Mount Vernon trail as commuters on the GW parkway make their way around Columbia Island.

Dec. 22, 2011

A calm and unseasonably cool morning settles in on the Potomac River as people begin their day. In this long exposure shot, two planes from Reagan National are seen streaking across the early morning sky along with a crescent-shaped moon. A biker's light also streaks across the Mount Vernon trail as commuters on the GW parkway make their way around Columbia Island.

Brendan Bowen / The Washington Post

A lighted tree at Georgetown harbor in Washington on the longest night of the year. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Dec. 22, 2011

A lighted tree at Georgetown harbor in Washington on the longest night of the year. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Lights from the Key Bridge are reflected in the Potomac River, looking from Washington toward Rosslyn. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Dec. 22, 2011

Lights from the Key Bridge are reflected in the Potomac River, looking from Washington toward Rosslyn. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

The sky lightens at dawn behind the Capitol building in Washington. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Dec. 22, 2011

The sky lightens at dawn behind the Capitol building in Washington. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Holiday lights glow on trees at the Botanic Garden in Washington, with the Capitol visible in the background, on the longest night of the year. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Dec. 22, 2011

Holiday lights glow on trees at the Botanic Garden in Washington, with the Capitol visible in the background, on the longest night of the year. This is an HDR composite image created by making several photos of the same scene, but exposing for all tonal ranges. These images are then combined with software into one image that expands the shadows and keeps the highlights from blowing out, while enhancing the saturation of the colors.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

A sliver of moon rises behind the Capitol dome in Washington at 6:03 a.m. on the longest night of the year.

Dec. 22, 2011

A sliver of moon rises behind the Capitol dome in Washington at 6:03 a.m. on the longest night of the year.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Druids, pagans and revelers cheer as the sun rises at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England. The unseasonable warm weather encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.

Dec. 22, 2011

Druids, pagans and revelers cheer as the sun rises at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England. The unseasonable warm weather encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.

Matt Cardy / Getty Images

Druids, pagans and revelers take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England.

Dec. 22, 2011

Druids, pagans and revelers take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England.

Matt Cardy / Getty Images

Druids rest against the stones as the sun rises at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England.

Dec. 22, 2011

Druids rest against the stones as the sun rises at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England.

Kieran Doherty / Reuters

Revelers dance in the snow after a sunrise service at Stonehenge in England. Hundreds of people gathered at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.

Dec. 22, 2011

Revelers dance in the snow after a sunrise service at Stonehenge in England. Hundreds of people gathered at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.

Matt Cardy / Getty Images

Dancers make their way through the streets during the Burning the Clocks Festival on Dec. 21, 2011 in Brighton, England. The annual celebration is enjoyed by thousands of people who carry paper lanterns through the streets of Brighton culminating on Brighton Beach where the lanterns are burned and the winter solstice is marked.

Dec. 22, 2011

Dancers make their way through the streets during the Burning the Clocks Festival on Dec. 21, 2011 in Brighton, England. The annual celebration is enjoyed by thousands of people who carry paper lanterns through the streets of Brighton culminating on Brighton Beach where the lanterns are burned and the winter solstice is marked.

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

People carry lanterns at the Burning the Clocks Festival.

Dec. 22, 2011

People carry lanterns at the Burning the Clocks Festival.

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

People carry lanterns at the Burning the Clocks Festival.

Dec. 22, 2011

People carry lanterns at the Burning the Clocks Festival.

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

People watch fireworks at the end of the Burning the Clocks Festival.

Dec. 22, 2011

People watch fireworks at the end of the Burning the Clocks Festival.

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

Dancers make their way through the streets during the Burning the Clocks Festival.

Dec. 22, 2011

Dancers make their way through the streets during the Burning the Clocks Festival.

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

Lanterns burn at the end of the Burning the Clocks Festival on Brighton Beach.

Dec. 22, 2011

Lanterns burn at the end of the Burning the Clocks Festival on Brighton Beach.

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

A giant lantern burns at the end of the Burning the Clocks Festival on Brighton Beach.

Dec. 22, 2011

A giant lantern burns at the end of the Burning the Clocks Festival on Brighton Beach.

Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

People participate in a Mayan ceremony commemorating the winter solstice at the ceremonial center of San Andres, in San Andres, El Salvador.

Dec. 18, 2011

People participate in a Mayan ceremony commemorating the winter solstice at the ceremonial center of San Andres, in San Andres, El Salvador.

Luis Romero / AP

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