The Winter Solstice usually occurs on Dec. 21 every year, although the date may vary according to the solar year — that is, the time it takes for the Sun to reappear in the same place as seen from Earth. In 2022, the shortest day will occur as established. 

The exact time of the Winter Solstice this year will be Wednesday at 21:48 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), as reported by EarthSky.org.

For centuries, various peoples around the world have celebrated the day, since their survival depended on their knowledge of seasonal cycles. To this day, the first day of winter is commemorated with elaborate ceremonies and festivities, as well as spiritual acts of renewal. 

In some Andean cultures of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Colombia and Chile, during the solstice, the "Inti Raymi," or festival of the Sun was celebrated, a ceremony held in honor of the Sun God Inti. 

On Dec. 21, the "Capaq Inti Raymi," or feast of the great sun, is celebrated by the Incas. According to Inca researchers, this celebration symbolized in ancient times the rebirth of the sun to start a new annual cycle. 

Nowadays, these celebrations are carried out with national and foreign tourists, who have the possibility to connect with the tradition. Similarly, Indigenous communities with an Inca legacy also perform their honor to the sun god in private. 

The arrival of Winter in Europe 

In other countries such as Finland, Norway and Sweden, the solstice is celebrated in honor of the goddess Beiwe, who according to Nordic tradition is the protector of happiness, health and the sun. 

According to Nordic traditions, "Beiwe and her daughter walk across the sky on reindeer bones, which causes plants to grow on Earth," reported La Vanguardia. This is why deer are sacrificed at the beginning of winter and doors are covered with butter.