When Does Each Season Start Jun 2026

While this feels like the "true" definition of the seasons, it creates an odd disconnect. If summer is defined by the solstice (June 21), then the solstice marks the start of summer. Yet, we intuitively feel that June 21st is the peak of sunlight—the moment the days begin to shorten. In many cultures, mid-June is considered "Midsummer," not the start of it.

Equal day and night. Sun crosses celestial equator northward. Starts: March 19–21 (Northern Hemisphere) / September 21–24 (Southern Hemisphere) when does each season start

This aligns with ancient Celtic traditions and makes intuitive sense. By the time the Winter Solstice arrives on Dec 21, the natural world has been dormant for weeks. To call that the start of winter feels like a bureaucratic joke. While this feels like the "true" definition of

There are two primary ways to define the start of each season: the method, based on Earth's position relative to the sun, and the meteorological method, which follows the calendar and annual temperature cycles. Seasonal Start Dates (Northern Hemisphere) In many cultures, mid-June is considered "Midsummer," not