Humans have been inventing ways to celebrate the winter solstice for thousands of years. Neolithic farmers in Ireland, Indigenous tribes in North America, Sámi, Celtic, Chinese and so many other people all felt moved to mark the planetary turn that promises more sun soon.
Whether Stonehenge, Saturnalia, St. Lucia’s Day or Shalako (a Zuni solstice ritual involving four days of dancing with 12-foot-tall bird-head costumes), such diverse observances reveal a common longing for longer days.
For Northwesterners socked in by waves of atmospheric rivers, that longing may feel particularly intense this year. Thankfully there are plenty of ways to hype the hibernal solstice.
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Gathering is an essential component of solstice celebrations — time to connect before settling in for the Great Enhunkering. You can do so by simply being in proximity to fellow humans at the Seattle Waterfront, where a free Firepit Social is happening this weekend (Dec. 20, 3-6 p.m.; weather dependent) and every winter Saturday on Pier 62. Warm up around the blaze or stand at the end of the pier and beseech the setting sun to stick around a little longer. (For an immersive add-on, book one of the new wood-fired saunas positioned on the pier this season.)
At Common Objects in Belltown, you can join the gentle performance ritual of reading aloud. A group of writers and artists — and maybe you too, as walk-in readers are welcome — will read the entire text of Midwinter Day (Dec. 21, starting at 10 a.m. and going until late afternoon; drop in/out any time).
Written by poet Bernadette Mayer (1945-2022), Midwinter Day is an epic poem using multiple forms to tell the story of a regular day in the life of a mother. (Read an excerpt.) Mayer said she was inspired by Antarctic explorers, “who would have big suppers on Midwinter Day because it was the day that the sun turned around… the beginning of light coming back and into our lives.” Organized by Seattle poet Sierra Nelson, this “collective reading experiment” will also include prompts for your own winter writing (and snacks!).
Another time-tested way to gather for the solstice: in song.
Seattle Pro Musica choir presents Northern Lights (Sept. 20, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Seattle First Baptist Church; streaming Sept. 22), a concert of choral music from Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and other Nordic and Baltic countries. It’s an intriguing mix that includes medieval chanting, folk songs, tuned glass goblets, Arvo Pärt and bird calls. Plus: Each performance starts with a candlelight procession in the Scandinavian Santa Lucia tradition.
Seattle’s Crowdsource Choir is gathering once again in the intimate Art & Music Room at Hotel Populus for a special Solstice Sing (Dec. 21, 7-9 p.m.). All skill levels are welcome to join this acoustic sing-along experience, which on this occasion will emphasize reflection and renewal via songs by Bon Iver, Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes, Simon and Garfunkel and other contemplative pop music.
And Northwest marimba maven Erin Jorgensen will perform soothing percussive sounds at the Covers, Vol. 1 record release party (Dec. 21, 2 p.m. at Shibuya Lounge, 21+). With sweet, whispery vocals and a supersized xylophone, Jorgensen covers songs by musicians from Serge Gainsbourg to Robert Schumann. Not sure what marimba covers sound like? Get the gist with Jorgensen’s new music video, featuring lovely low-tech cut-paper animation by Seattle filmmaker Clyde Petersen.
The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture is also fostering solstice vibes by hosting the second annual Longest Night (Dec. 21, 5-9 p.m. at ARTS at King Street Station). Curated by Seattle filmmaker and writer Vee Hua, the event transforms the upper floors of the train station into a hive of mellow activity. Indulgences include an ambient musical soundspace for contemplation, tea rituals, henna art, a sound bath, an herbal bathing workshop and other ways to slow down and reflect. Plus, projected on the clock tower outside, look for Seattle Civic Poet Dujie Tahat’s poem “Solstice.”
The soundtrack is soft footsteps on damp ground during the annual Winter Solstice Luminaria Walk at the Washington Park Arboretum (Dec. 19, 20, 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.). This self-guided 30-minute stroll features flickering candles along a forested path — augmented, should you choose to imbibe, with winter cocktails featuring Arboretum botanicals. (Note: this event is rain or shine and 21+.)
But maybe you want to go a different route entirely. Who could blame a person for feeling less serene, more scream at this particular moment? In which case Krampus is here to match your mood. The chaotic and creepy figure from pre-Germanic pagan days feels like a good fit for channeling current anxieties.
Son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld, Krampus was originally affiliated with solstice traditions until being co-opted into Saint Nicholas celebrations. And whaddya know, the horned half-goat is stopping by Seattle Cider Taproom in Georgetown for a meet-and-greet photo op (Dec. 21, 2-5 p.m.). Smile!
If you’re still seeking traditional holiday shows, you can revisit my list from earlier this month (yes, there’s still time!). And for those looking for something outside the red-and-green regalia, local performance venues have you covered with feel-goods that aren’t festooned with bells and bows.
Hit Broadway musical The Lion King is currently passing through The Paramount Theatre (through Jan. 4) and by all accounts the elaborate puppetry still pops. At Village Theatre in Issaquah, Dolly Parton’s musical adaptation of the iconic 1980 film 9 to 5 is earning good reviews for both performances and vibrant sets (through Jan. 4; at Village Theater Everett Jan. 10 - Feb. 8). And Come From Away, the based-on-a-true-story musical about a group of travelers who get stranded in a tiny Newfoundland town on 9/11, has returned to its production origins at Seattle Rep for a 10th anniversary run (extended through Jan. 4).
One more event, for fans of exemplary dance: On the Boards presents In Tandem: Three Duets (Dec. 18-20; opening night sold out), which is exactly what it sounds like. The notable thing here is the dancers, whose many years of working together is reflected in fluid combinations.
The three contemporary pieces featured in In Tandem are performed by Rachael Lincoln and Leslie Seiters; Maurya Kerr/tinypistol; and Angie Hauser and Darrell Jones — this last duet sliding toward a trio thanks to collaboration with the legendary Bebe Miller, recently seen dancing on the Monorail, which I wrote about in September.
However you choose to spend your solstice — and the calendar flip — here’s hoping your polar plunge into the new year is peaceful.
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