The longest and darkest night of this long and dark year falls on Monday, December 21, giving you a chance to start fresh before the official new year takes hold. We're rounded up all the online or otherwise socially distanced ways to ring in the new season in the Northwest and nationwide, from a virtual Pickathon Solstice Party Past Event Like List to an Eastside winter solstice walk Past Event Like List in Seattle, and from the Northwest Film Forum/Holocene collab party Longest Night Past Event Like List to the winter solstice live from Stonehenge Past Event Like List . See them all below, and check out our complete winter holiday calendars in Seattle and Portland for even more seasonal happenings.

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SEATTLE

Cosmic Connections: Reflecting on the Winter Solstice Night Sky Past Event Like List
In partnership with astronomy education group Digitalis, self-proclaimed "Star Guide" Cosmic Kyle will show you how to look at the night sky in this planetarium-like Zoom experience on the eve of the solstice.
(Sun Dec 20)

Flying Lion Brewing's 7th Annual Socially Distanced Dark Beer Fest Past Event Like List
Dark times call for dark beers: Flying Lion will be holding a socially distanced version of their annual dark beer extravaganza, with tables available by reservation and an extra day to space out attendance. Over 30 dark beers, including cellared favorites, special releases, and limited brews, will be available. Plus, Flying Lion will release a collaboration brew made with Counterbalance Brewing, and Brownrigg Hard Cider will create a dark cider just for the occasion.
(Dec 17-20)

I Can Only Touch You with Light-A Solstice Closing Ceremony Past Event Like List
BelleCat and Vermillion graciously invite you to "burn yourself clean" (which sounds a little like the title of an early-aughts hit, and we love that) on the night of the solstice by writing down the things that are holding you back and/or making you sad on a slip of paper to offer to a roaring outdoor fire. You're also encouraged to bring things that represent your culture or heritage to add to a community altar. 
Vermillion, Capitol Hill (Mon Dec 21)

NVCS presents KUINKA 'Winter Solstice Internet Party' Past Event Like List
Enjoy some joyous folk-pop to ease into the winter season with Kuinka on Nectar's YouTube channel, donations for which will benefit Seattle Homeless Outreach.
(Sat Dec 19)

Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes: A Very Lonely Solstice Livestream Past Event Like List
If you can believe it, these past couple of chilly months have technically still been autumn. As the Northern hemisphere officially turns the tide into winter, join Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold, who will perform a live solo acoustic set from St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn, where he'll be joined by the Resistance Revival Chorus.
(Mon Dec 21)

Sam Lights: Art Making with Juliana Kang Robinson Past Event Like List
Bring the twinkly warmth of the Seattle Art Museum's canceled wintry light display SAM Lights to your own home by following along with light-based art tutorials with local artist Juliana Kang Robinson. 
(Mon Dec 21)

Snohomish Winter Solstice Walk 2020 Past Event Like List
Mask up and walk the Snohomish Riverfront Trail while it's adorned with over 500 luminaries to welcome the winter season. 
Snohomish Riverfront Trail (Mon Dec 21)

A Starkissed Solstice Celebration: Demarkus Lewis, Viva & Uniting Souls Past Event Like List
Uniting Souls and Viva will team up for a celebration of the solstice, the alignment of the planets, and "the return of the light." Demarkus Lewis, Ramiro, Jon Lemmon, Jeromy Nail, Nichole G, and Peter Evans will man the virtual decks. 
(Sat Dec 19)

Winter Solstice with Aditi Yoga and Wellness Past Event Like List
Join instructor Sally Halbett for a special slow yoga flow on the winter solstice. 
(Mon Dec 21)

Winter Solstice Holiday Market Past Event Like List
New vendors will usher in the season at the Fremont Sunday Market's Winter Solstice Holiday Market.
(Through Dec 20)

Winter Solstice Service Online Past Event Like List
Look toward new beginnings (something every single person is in need of after 2020) at a non-denominational online solstice ceremony with Rev. Abigail Schairer. 
(Sat Dec 20)

PORTLAND

The Longest Night: a Winter Solstice Video Presentation Past Event Like List
Let Aurora Chorus, a local women's choir, lift your season-shifting spirits with a video concert on Zoom directed by Joan Szymko. 
(Sun Dec 20)

Pickathon Solstice Party Past Event Like List
Make the winter solstice a little less dreary by joining Pickathon online as they stream performances by funk outfit Outer Orbit with Sarah Clarke and Kassi Valazza live from their Portland headquarters.
(Sat Dec 19)

Solstice Quartet || Linda Austin + Jeff Forbes Past Event Like List
Dancers Linda Austin and Jeff Forbes will celebrate the solstice and the 20th anniversary of Performance Works Northwest with an experimental at-home performance "featuring the movement of camera, dancer, light, and shadow" with music by Matt Marble and Juniana Lanning. 
(Sat Dec 20)

Virtual Village - Winter Solstice Past Event Like List
Join Artichoke Music for a cozy evening at home sharing your musical traditions of the winter season, traditional and unconventional alike. 
(Thurs Dec 17)

NATIONAL

Double Planet Viewing Past Event Like List
Jupiter and Saturn will appear to break social distancing guidelines this winter solstice—they'll come within 0.1 degrees of each other (that's less than the diameter of a full moon) for the first time in 800 years (!), forming a luminous "double planet" effect. The planets will remain millions of miles apart in reality, but this great conjunction, which will shine shortly after sunset, will be a sight to behold to the naked Earth-dwelling eye.
(Mon Dec 21)

Longest Night: Solstice Ceremony 2020 Past Event Like List
Seattle's Northwest Film Forum and Portland's Holocene will tap into their ethereal side for a night of ambient music, live performances, guided movement and wellness activities, and "countless inventions culled from subconscious states" presented in five virtual rooms. Why? It's the winter solstice, baby!
(Mon Dec 21)

Winter Solstice Fest Past Event Like List
Tip your hat to the Shift Network for putting on this free dance party with the likes of John Butler, Michael Franti, Trevor Hall, Android Jones, Rob Garza (of Thievery Corporation), and lots of others. It hits the streams right before Old Man Winter officially returns, giving you a chance to get your blood pumping before the big chill sets in. 
(Dec 18-20)

Winter Solstice 2020 Live From Stonehenge Past Event Like List
England's famous prehistoric monument—possibly built by Druids... or aliens—is the perfect spot for a pagan celebration of the winter solstice. If this were any other year, thousands of people would flock to Wiltshire to dance around the ancient structures, but since that's not possible with COVID, you can watch sunset views of it online. 
(Dec 20-21)