On December 21, the sun will rise over Vancouver at 8:05 a.m.
It will disappear over the horizon eight hours and 11 minutes later. At the depressingly early time of 4:16 p.m., day will ebb into night.
However, there is cause for celebration.
December 21 marks winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Every day after that, up until sunset at 9:22 p.m. on June 21, 2018, our days will get a little longer.
Vancouver’s Winter Solstice Lantern Festival “illuminates the darkest night of the year with lanterns, music, drumming, dancing and fire.”
The family-friendly event is held in various locations, some of which are ticketed. The following events are all on Dec. 21.
Yaletown
• Roundhouse Community Centre
Festival activities: 6 to 10 p.m.
Labyrinth: 6 to 11 p.m. Timed tickets run each half hour; $8, children under 12 free. It’s strongly recommended you buy your ticket in advance at SecretLantern.org.
Lantern procession to David Lam Park: 8 to 8:30 p.m.
Fire finale: 9:30 p.m.
• Gathering Place Community Centre
609 Helmcken St.
Parade to Roundhouse: 6 p.m.
Granville Island
• False Creek Community Centre
Festival activities: 6:10 p.m.
Procession to fire finale at Ron Basford Park: 9:15 p.m.
• Ron Basford Park
East end of Cartwright Street
Fire finale: 9:30 p.m.
• Performance Works
1218 Cartwright St.
Labyrinth of Light: 6 to 10 p.m. Timed tickets run each half hour; $8, children under 12 free. It’s strongly recommended you buy your ticket in advance at SecretLantern.org.
Chinatown
• Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Festival activities: 6 to 10 p.m.
The events are hosted by the Secret Lantern Society, which also offers lantern workshops in the days leading up to the event at the Roundhouse Community Centre, Gathering Place Community Centre and False Creek Community Centre.
For more details on all solstice festival events, or to volunteer, go to secretlantern.org.