Leave behind the chilly and dim winter months. On Sunday, June 21, the year reaches its longest day, known as the summer solstice. The precise moment occurs at 1:24 a.m. PT, which is 4:24 a.m. ET across the United States. Below are key details about this event.

What is the summer solstice?

The Farmer's Almanac notes that the solstice takes place when Earth reaches the spot in its path where the North Pole tilts at its greatest angle toward the sun, roughly 23.5 degrees. This creates the longest stretch of daylight and the shortest night of the year. On the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere gets sunlight at its most direct angle of the season.

The date of the solstice shifts at times. It falls on June 21 in 2027, yet moves to June 20 in both 2028 and 2029.

For residents in the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice brings the shortest day and signals the start of winter.

How much sun will you see?

The hours of sunlight vary based on your location.

Check details for your area at TimeAndDate.com by entering your city in the World Clock section and selecting Sun and Moon. Then choose Sunrise and Sunset to view the daily daylight table. Pick June and scroll to the solstice date for exact figures.

Northern spots enjoy more light: Minneapolis receives 15 hours and 36 minutes. Seattle gets 15 hours and 59 minutes. Boston sees 15 hours and 17 minutes. San Francisco has 14 hours and 46 minutes. Los Angeles gets 14 hours and 25 minutes. Dallas enjoys 14 hours and 18 minutes. Miami has 13 hours and 44 minutes. Atlanta receives 14 hours and 23 minutes. Phoenix gets 14 hours and 22 minutes.

In the Land of the Midnight Sun, Anchorage, Alaska, has 19 hours and 21 minutes. Fairbanks reaches 21 hours and 49 minutes. Utqiaġvik, Alaska, at the state's northern tip, experiences a full 24 hours of sun.

Celebrating the solstice

Various nations and traditions mark the solstice with special events. Sweden observes Midsummer on a Friday in June, so this year the festivities occur on June 19. Customs include folk dancing, wreath crafting, and maypole setups. The 2019 film Midsommar portrays a fictional take on such gatherings.

In Seattle, with its nearly 16 hours of daylight, the Solstice Parade and Fair takes place on June 20 at 1 p.m. and includes the well-known naked bicyclist procession featuring body paint designs.

At Stonehenge in England, crowds assemble at the ancient stones much like people did long ago. The monument, built around 2500 BC, aligns with the summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset, according to the British Museum. Visitors should use public transit due to modern traffic needs, and advance parking reservations are required if driving.