Activities for The Winter Solstice & Yule

Simple activities to help you celebrate the longest night of the year.

I think it’s safe to say that most people have at least heard of the Winter Solstice (and the other seasonal transitions throughout the year), especially if you live somewhere where the daylight swings are so drastic as the year progresses.

But while I always knew about the “shortest day of the year” and was more than ready to welcome the return of longer days, I never really thought about the rest of the story.

I’ve always loved the holiday season. When I think of childhood, many of my most treasured memories sit right in this time of year. Growing up Catholic, I knew what the “meaning of the season” was supposed to be… but in truth, that wasn’t the part that stayed with me.

It was always the magic.

The hope and possibility. The coziness and comforts. The lights, the carols, the treats, the time with family, the small festivities woven into everyday life.

That’s still the part of the season that matters most to me - especially as my spiritual and religious beliefs have shifted from what they once were.

When I started learning more about the symbolism of the solstice, the stories of Yule, the traditions from long ago… things began to fall into place in a way I didn’t even realize I’d been missing.

It all clicked. Things made sense. And the magic only deepened.

Celebrating the Winter Solstice and Yule has become one of my favorite seasonal celebrations. And so I wanted to share some of the ways I do just that, but also in a way that fits into our modern lives.

You see, these celebrations are incredibly beautiful, and social media makes them look elaborate. But what I love most is that they don’t need to be grand at all. You can make them whatever you want. And honestly, you’re probably already doing much of this without even thinking about it. Sometimes a bit of intention behind what we’re already doing is enough to invite more magic in.

So in this post, I want to walk through some of the most common symbols of the Winter Solstice and Yule - and a few simple, wonderfully intentional activities you can do to honor the longest night of the year and the days that follow it.

Common Symbols of The Winter Solstice and Yule

Most of these things are probably already around your house, but perhaps you weren’t aware of why they’re such staples of the holiday season?

Oranges / Citrus:
Citrus has long been used as a reminder of the returning sun - I mean, how could you not look at an orange and see the resemblance to the fiery ball in the sky? Bright, fragrant, and a small (delicious) promise that warmth and light will come back again. Simple fruits that bring a bit of lightness to a season that can feel heavy or dim.

Candles / Lights:
Candles and holiday lights can symbolize hope and guidance, helping us remember that even the smallest spark can shift a whole room. There’s a reason why our eyes fixate on the soft flicker of a flame or glow of a twinkling light. We can use them to honor the gradual return of daylight.

Evergreens:
Evergreens remind us of resilience - the gentle giants of winter and their quiet strength that carries us through the cold months. They stay vibrant and sturdy even in winter, representing life that persists beneath the surface and reminding us of our resilience, too.

Holly:
Holly carries a protective and ancient sort of energy, with its sharp leaves and bright berries. It is steeped in mythology and folklore for this time of year, and It’s often used to honor the balance of dark and light through the season. And, it’s also an evergreen, so it carries that same association of resilience and strength during the challenging times.

Pinecones:
Pinecones symbolize possibility and seeds nestled in the dark, waiting for the right time to grow. They’re simple reminders of potential, patience, and the quiet work happening beneath winter’s stillness. Douse them in some cinnamon (or buy them that way) and they’re even more magical.

Cinnamon:
Cinnamon brings warmth, comfort, and a sense of cozy that fits the season’s focus on home and nourishment. Its scent alone can make a space feel grounded, warming and nostalgic in a way. It’s also associated with protection and prosperity (among other things) weaving a bit of extra meaning into it.

Fires / Bonfires:
Fire is one of the oldest solstice symbols, representing renewal, warmth, and community. Gathering around a flame reminds us of our connection to each other and to the returning light. 

Simple, Intentional Activities to Celebrate The Winter Solstice and Yule

Simmer Pot:
A simmer pot fills the home with warmth and delicious fragrance, turning simple ingredients into a small seasonal ritual. It’s an easy way to shift the energy of your space and you can re-use it over and over. 

To make: Simply throw whatever you have into a sauce pan, turn it in low and let the scent fill your space. 

Dehydrate oranges / citrus:
Drying citrus is a simple, beautiful and grounding thing to do (and smells delicious). It’s a slow process that naturally invites you to settle in, given it takes a handful of hours (if you’re using a stove) to dehydrate them. You can use them for decoration, festive drinks, or even as simple additions to wrapping gifts.

To make: Slice oranges thin (⅛”-¼”), place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, turn the oven to 180°-200° and cook them for 3-4 hours, flipping them every 30 minutes or so.

Make a Yule log:
A Yule log (decorative or one to burn) honors the tradition of welcoming light back into the world. It’s a hands-on way to set intentions for the season.

To make: Find a log that will sit flat on a surface. Drill holes into it for candles and then glue various seasonal trinkets to it. I’ve added greens, berries, pinecones, orange slices… anything I had on hand. I tend to burn mine for a short period each of the 12 nights of Yuletide, burning the log fully on the last night.

Make a Bûche de Noël:
If you can’t have a Yule log to bur - or you’d like one that tastes a bit better - this traditional cake adds a playful, celebratory element to the solstice. Baking it can become its own ritual - sweet, seasonal, and rooted in old customs.

To make: Find a recipe that embraces the flavors you crave (chocolate, berries, citrus, peppermint, gingerbread… lots of options). Bake the recipe accordingly and then decorate to resemble a log. The possibilities are really endless here… have fun with it!

Make (or decorate) a wreath:
Wreaths symbolize cycles and continuity - perhaps a given with their circular shapes. Creating or decorating one can help you connect with the season in a tactile, intentional way, reminding you that light will follow darkness, that warmth will follow cold… that everything moves in cycles.

Forage and decorate with nature:
Gathering evergreens, pinecones, or other natural finds pulls you outdoors and brings seasonal beauty back inside. It’s a simple, mindful way to honor the landscape around you, and it can be a wonderful activity to do as a family, with friends or for some quiet alone time, too. As a reminder, make sure you’re foraging on property where you are legally allowed to do so.

Have a fire / bonfire:
A fire invites reflection, warmth, and release. You can use it to let go of the past year or to welcome in new intentions. Have a bonfire, build a fire in a fireplace, or even light a candle to serve as a symbol of hope and the returning warmth and flames of the sun.

Hang holiday lights:
If a fire isn’t a realistic option, stringing lights is a modern nod to ancient solstice traditions and a way to brighten the darkness and uplift your space. In my book, there is no such thing as too many holiday lights and you can keep them up all winter long. 

Spend time outside in the dark:
Perhaps the simplest way to honor the solstice is by spending a few quiet minutes under the night sky. It’s a way to feel into the depth of this season. A simple way to notice what this longer night brings up for you.

Above photo of night sky, credit goes to Saa R via Unsplash

Are you surprised to see what’s on the list? Are you thinking to yourself - “I do a lot of this already”? Yes, it’s likely you do because the traditions of the Winter Solstice and Yule originated thousands of years ago and have been passed down, claimed or rebranded through generations (more on that another time).

Now, you don’t need to do all of these in order to embrace the season or evening of the solstice (because adding overwhelm sort of defeats the purpose). Pick one (or two) things that sound like fun… that could have a place in your festivities… and do them with care and intention.

Solstice blessings and Merry Yule to you all!