Travel

Thousands Pilgrimage To Stonehenge To Welcome Summer Solstice

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People gather during sunrise as they take part in the summer solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)

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People gather during sunrise as they take part in the summer solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)

At a Glance

About 8,000 revellers showed up to Stonehenge Tuesday night and Wednesday to greet the summer solstice.
Photos show the celebratory atmosphere in the prehistoric location.

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Stonehenge played host to about 8,000 visitors Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for the annual summer solstice celebration.

Every year, thousands, many sporting flamboyant costume and musical instruments, trek to the prehistoric stone circle and World Heritage Site in Wiltshire, England, to watch the sun perfectly line up with what is known as the Heel Stone. Drumming, chanting, cheering and dancing greet the sun on the Northern Hemisphere's longest day of the year.

(MORE: Summer Solstice Brings The Longest Day Of The Year – Here's What To Know)

The solstice celebration and ancient site are both especially important for druids, modern-day spiritualists that trace back to ancient Celtic times who perform rituals during the solstice. The site was built in stages on Salisbury Plain beginning 5,000 years ago, and its purpose has been debated over the years. While many believe the site to be a druid temple, some believe Stonehenge was a coronation spot for Danish kings, a location for healing or an astronomical tool for predicting celestial events such as eclipses. In most recent times, Stonehenge has become one of the U.K.'s most popular tourist attractions.

In the past, tens of thousands would travel to Stonehenge by foot, car or other modes of transportation to worship during the solstice. Over the decades the rules have become more stringent. This was especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic — last year was the first time visitors were permitted to witness the solstice at Stonehenge since 2019.

In addition to the thousands in attendance, English Heritage, a charity that manages hundreds of historic sites, said that approximately 154,000 people tuned in virtually from around the world to watch the sunset and sunrise on the charity's livestream, according to The Associated Press.

Many of those present at Stonehenge Wednesday will be making their way to the nearby Glastonbury Festival immediately afterwards and in the coming days. The Glastonbury Festival is one of the world's biggest music events. The festival begins Wednesday, and for the first time will run completely on renewable energy and renewable fuels.

Click through the slideshow above to see what stonehenge looked like at sunrise on Wednesday.

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Brown Bears at Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park
Inhabited by 2,200 brown bears, Katmai National Park is one of the best places in the world to see these wild bears, especially in summer, when the animals are searching for food. (NPS)

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Brown Bears at Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park
Inhabited by 2,200 brown bears, Katmai National Park is one of the best places in the world to see these wild bears, especially in summer, when the animals are searching for food. (NPS)

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