News Release

Winter Solstice Programs 2021

Two figures stand in the entrance to Tyuonyi village while the morning sunrise directs their shadows through the entrance.

Judy Mosher

News Release Date: December 13, 2021

Contact: Joanie Budzileni, 505-672-3861 x 1501

LOS ALAMOS, NM, December 13, 2021 – Mark your calendars. The days are about to start getting longer.

Join us on December 21, 2021 at 7:15 AM in front of the Bandelier visitor center. Remember to dress warmly as we will be standing out in the cold for a while. Especially remember to wear warm footwear. On that day, at that time, we will walk approximately 400 yards to the entrance of the village of Tyuonyi in Frijoles Canyon to watch the sunrise. On this, the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year, the sun will rise in alignment with the entrance to that Ancestral Pueblo site. Bring cameras and cell phones to catch this once-a-year event (actually you can see the same amazing sunrise marker a few days before or after the 21st, just remember the park is open sunrise to sunset).

Later in the day (meeting at the visitor center at 1:50 PM) we will make a similar journey to watch likely solstice sunset markers as the sun dips below the west canyon rim. Yes, it really does happen that early this time of the year. As has happened for so many generations, we will celebrate the start of the journey to the longer days of spring.