Clocks Go Back UK 2026
The clocks in the UK go back one hour at 2am BST on Sunday, October 25, 2026, which is 01:00 UTC. British Summer Time ends and the UK returns to GMT.
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About the winter solstice
The winter solstice is the moment the Earth's axial tilt is furthest from the sun in the northern hemisphere, producing the shortest period of daylight of the year.
It is a precise astronomical instant rather than a whole day, and simultaneously marks the summer solstice south of the equator.
Tags
- Solstice
- Astronomy
- Winter
- Shortest day
Frequently asked questions
The solstice occurs at 14:50 UTC on 21 December 2026.
It is the moment when the northern hemisphere is tilted furthest from the sun, producing the shortest day of the year.
No. It is a precise astronomical instant, though the whole calendar day is commonly referred to as the solstice.
Yes, slightly. It falls between 20 and 23 December depending on the year and the leap-year cycle.
The same instant marks the summer solstice south of the equator — their longest day of the year.
Related countdowns
Daylight Saving Time Ends 2026
Daylight saving time ends in most of the US at 2am local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026. This countdown uses US Eastern Time, which is 06:00 UTC.
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Perihelion 2027
Perihelion 2027, when Earth is closest to the Sun in its orbit, is on Sunday, January 3, 2027, at 02:33 UTC, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.
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Daylight Saving Time Starts 2027
Daylight saving time starts in most of the US at 2am local time on Sunday, March 14, 2027. This countdown uses US Eastern Time, which is 07:00 UTC.
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