Sunday December 21st, 2025 * 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

FREE and open to the public!

Buttonwood Nature Center is hosting its sixth annual Winter Solstice Celebration.

The winter solstice is the longest night—or shortest day—of the year and typically falls around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere.

After the solstice, the days get gradually longer. Since ancient times, people all over the world have recognized this astronomical occurrence and celebrated the “return of the sun” in a variety of ways.

“Again, this year, we are having our celebration on the very day of the solstice, December 21, so we can all experience ‘the shortest day’ together,” said Jessica Watson, Buttonwood assistant director and event organizer.

The solstice event is a family-friendly celebration of the season and includes Stories by the Fire—entertainment by Storyteller Bruce Rowland around a winter bonfire.

Other activities for kids include making garlands of popcorn, berries and edible ornaments for animals, and a winter-related craft.

Fire pit stations provide warmth—plus a Hot Chocolate Station, thanks to the support of Martin’s Grocery Store.

Members of the Tri-State Astronomers club will be on hand with telescopes to view the celestial features of the winter sky.

Vendors will include The Boro Baking Co., offering cookies and holiday snacks for purchase, Four Sons Farm with handcrafted wool creations, The Native Niche, featuring bird food bundles, outdoor winter decorations, and natural “solstice crowns” of winter foliage for sale, as well as Christine Lehman presenting original paintings.

We’ll also have a raffle for a chance to win a beautiful handmade lap quilt!

For questions, email us at Jessica@buttonwoodnaturecenter.org.

The entire event is outdoors, so dress accordingly.