The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the official beginning of winter. The Winter Solstice happens when the sun reaches its furthest south point on its apparent path on the ecliptic. From now on the days will be getting longer. The Winter Solstice occurs on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 4:48 P.M. EST.. The cache is in a clear plastic Lock-n-Lock box. This cache will remain in place until one week after the Vernal Equinox.