When is the summer solstice in 2025, and what does it mean?

The summer solstice this year happens at 7:42 p.m. on Friday, June 20, in the Bay Area. Here’s what to know:

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What is the summer solstice?

In the Northern Hemisphere, it occurs when the North Pole attains its maximum tilt toward the sun. At that point the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer, and summer officially begins.

Is it always on the same date?

No. The date can be June 20, 21 or 22. This year, the solstice is on June 20 for almost all of America and June 21 for most of the rest of the world. Last year’s solstice, at 1:50 p.m. Pacific time on June 20, was the earliest since 1796.

So is June 20 the longest day of 2025 in the Bay Area?

Yes; in San Francisco, there is a span of 14 hours, 46 minutes and 55 seconds between sunrise (5:47 a.m.) and sunset (8:34 p.m.). Saturday’s daylight is just a second shorter. But the solstice sunset is not the latest of the year — that happens a few days later.

What’s the latest sunset in the United States?

Not counting Alaska — where in some places it never gets fully dark in the summer — the latest for a recognized community is 10:03 p.m. on June 24 in Fortuna, N.D. Though there are more northerly towns, Fortuna claims the latest sunset because it sits on the west edge of its time zone. In darkest winter, the sun rises there at 8:48 a.m.

Other latest sunset times: Missoula, Mont., 9:34; Angle Inlet, Minn., 9:30; Detroit, 9:13; Seattle, 9:11; Minneapolis, 9:03; Atlanta, 8:52; Dallas, 8:39; New York City and Denver, 8:32; Chicago, 8:29; Boston, 8:25; Miami, 8:16; New Orleans, 8:05; Phoenix, 7:42; Honolulu, 7:17. (Phoenix is not on daylight saving time.)

Is the Southern Hemisphere’s winter solstice on the same date?

Yes, June 20 for South America, June 21 for most of the rest of the world. That marks the shortest day and the beginning of winter.

When is the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice this year?

In the Bay Area, it will be Dec. 21, when San Francisco’s sunrise will be at 7:21 a.m. and sunset at 4:54 p.m.

How can I geek out further, solstice-wise?

If you can’t make it to Stonehenge, the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley is hosting a solstice event from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Tickets to the science center cost $25. If you’d rather freak out than geek out, screen the 2019 horror movie “Midsommar.” Alamo Drafthouse’s San Francisco movie party is, alas, sold out.