Winter Solstice Sunrise Observance

Come acknowledge the Winter Solstice by watching the sunrise alignment in the Great Stone Circle. This will be a quiet, meditative event with a short opening rite and reading to help us welcome Winter and send Autumn on its way with blessings. Join us to celebrate as Autumn passes the seasonal “baton” to Winter. COST: admission to Kinstone (pay in person at the Kinstone Visitor Center upon arrival, cash preferred); No Registration Required Date: Monday, December 21, 2026 Time: 6:45am – 8:15am; coffee and tea available in the Visitor Center after the program; the Visitor Center will be open until Noon. WHAT TO BRING: feel free to bring a poem or quote about winter, winter solstice, snow, or other winter theme to share IMPORTANT: We will gather at 6:45am in the Kinstone Visitor Center. Please arrive early to be ready to start at 6:45. Thank you. After the short program, weather and snow conditions permitting, we will proceed together to the center of the Great Stone Circle. Given fair weather and clear skies, we will watch the sun as it crests the ridge and beams through the Chair Stones into the center of the Circle. Note: Actual sunrise is at 7:38am and given the topography at Kinstone it will be closer to 7:50am when we can see the sun from the center of the circle on a clear day. Dress in layers! We will be indoors for part of this and then those who wish to will proceed outdoors later. Bring what winter gear you need for the weather and wear appropriate footwear, boots, scarves, hats, extra layers and gloves. Expect it to be colder and windier than you think. In snowy years, be prepared to walk some distance through snow and on uneven (perhaps icy – or muddy, slippery) paths to get to the circle. Parking may be very limited if there is snow on the ground. Please follow these instructions! If there is no snow, please park in the grassy parking area near the Visitor Center. If there is snow, please park in the small staff lot adjacent to the the Visitor…