NEW JERSEY — The darkest day of the year is upon us, which means the winter solstice is just days away in New Jersey.
The celestial holiday celebrated through the ages as the beginning of light arrives in the Garden State on Dec. 21 at 7:18 a.m. EST. If you’re not a fan of daylight, you’re in luck — we’ll see only nine hours and 18 minutes of sunlight on the first day of winter.
Whether you’re a fan or not, there’s plenty New Jersey residents can do to embrace the winter season. For example, Morristown is having a Winter Solstice Celebration on Dec. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There’s going to be a bonfire, with s’mores, hot chocolate, apple cider, and more. Get details here .
For anyone hoping to stretch their winter solstice revelry into the evening hours — or into the next day, perhaps — here’s a bonus: The Ursid meteor shower is likely to peak the morning of Dec. 22.
The annual Ursid meteor shower, which runs from Dec. 17-26 each year, is a minor meteor shower with only five to 10 shooting stars an hour. Still, a nearly moonless sky translates into excellent viewing conditions in New Jersey, depending on the weather.
