15 Winter Solstice Party Ideas for Yule

The Winter Solstice, known as Yule on the Wheel of the Year, falls around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the longest night of the year. And, it’s a turning point, as after this, the days slowly begin to lengthen and the light returns.

Whether pagan or not, it’s long been a time to gather, feast, and find warmth in community in midwinter.

Throwing a Winter Solstice party is a great way to celebrate the season, and, if your celebrating Yule at this time, the pagan holiday as well.

The vibe is different from a Samhain party or a traditional holiday party. It’s cozier, slower, and more centered around meaning than avoiding your boss. Whether you lean into its seasonal symbolism or just want to host something a little more intentional, here are more than a dozen Winter Solstice party ideas to get you started.

From doing evergreen crafts to decorating Yule Logs and hosting a sunrise breakfast I hope these celebration ideas help you make the most of the longest night of the year.

1. Make-Your-Own Yule Ornaments Bar

This hands-on Yule activity is great for all ages. Set up a table with crafting supplies like salt dough, dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, felt, ribbon, greenery, and string or twine. Guests can create their own ornaments, yule log, or wreaths to hang on a Yule tree, place on their Yule altar, or take home to adorn their homes with as Yule decor. (For a full list of crafting ideas, here’s 25 Yule decorations you could make for the holiday.)

2. Midwinter Feast & Story Night

Whether you’re honoring Yule as the Norse did in midwinter or working with the energy of the Winter Solstice, a feast is an essential part of the celebration. The Norse held the Jólablót, a sometimes multi-day feast during which they made oats on boar bristles. But, you can simply cook a hearty winter meal or invite guests to bring their own favorite dish and make it a potluck. Here are 50 Yule recipe ideas to get you started.

3. Sunrise Breakfast or Sunset Toast

Celebrate the return of the Sun with by gathering friends or family to watch the sunset on the Winter Solstice or the sunrise on the day after. For a Winter Solstice brunch, serve waffles or pancakes with seasonal flavors like gingerbread, eggs, and citrus drinks. (Mimosas count). Or, host a sunset toast with mulled wine, mead, or cider as the longest night begins.

4. Yule Ball

Ok, look, the idea of a Yule Ball as a formal dance comes from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. But dancing, feasting, dressing up to celebrate midwinter? That’s been happening for centuries. So, considering sprucing up your Winter Solstice party by giving it a formal Yule Ball theme.

Think fairy lights, candles, flowing outfits, and a winter playlist that lends itself to dancing. Add a photo booth to make it even more memorable.

5. Winter Solstice Photo Booth

Designate a corner of your space as a DIY photo booth using part of a wall, string lights, and evergreen boughs. Provide props like sun masks, antlers, and crowns. Or, just simple paper props like these or these. It’s a relatively easy way to encourage photos you can look back on them later.

6. Wheel of the Year Vision Board Craft

Using the Wheel of the Year as the template, have guests create their own vision boards of what they want to manifest in each season. Provide magazines, scissors, glue sticks, and cardstock. This tends to works especially well for smaller groups or afternoon gatherings.

7. Orange Clove Pomander Crafting

Set out fresh oranges, whole cloves, and ribbons so guests can make fragrant pomanders. These traditional decorations last for weeks and double as party favors. It’s one of the easiest Yule crafts to do so it works for those who want something pretty but aren’t particularly crafty.

8. Winter Solstice Gift Swap

This is an easy Winter Solstice party idea that puts a twist on the classic gift exchange. Ask guests to bring something small that represents one of the themes of the season. It could be comfort, community, resilience, or more. (You can find Yule’s themes here). You can do a traditional white elephant, blind draw, or pair guests up for more personal exchanges.

9. Make Evergreen Crowns or Antler Headbands

Using floral wire or headbands as a base, have your guests create their own wearable Yule crowns with pine, rosemary, berries, or faux antlers. It’s a great icebreaker activity for a Winter Solstice gathering and gives everyone something festive (and photo-worthy) to wear through the night.

10. Winter Solstice Dessert Swap

Ask guests to bring their favorite winter dessert such as gingerbread, yule log cake, or spiced cookies and ask everyone to bring a recipe card for it as well. As the host, keep the cards and create a recipe book for the occasion to share with guests afterwards using Canva or another program. (Taking photos of each dessert to include in the book turns it into something they might print and return to each holiday season.)

If you want to add a bake-off element, set up a tasting table for each and have guests secretly vote for their top three favorites. Share the results at the end of the party and gift the winner a Yule-themed prize.

11. Winter Solstice Cocktail Bar

This interactive drink station adds a festive twist to your Yule party. Offer mixers and garnishes like rosemary sprigs, sugared cranberries, pomegranate juice, or spiced syrup. Let guests mix their own drinks or serve a couple of signature cocktails like “Sunrise Spritz.” Here are 29 Winter Solstice cocktails if you need some ideas.

12. Gingerbread House Decorating Night

This classic winter party idea that works beautifully for a Solstice party. You can buy kits or set up a DIY station with graham crackers, royal icing, and lots and lots of candy. Or, have guests help by bringing their own kit or candy to share. Share ideas or a Pinterest board filled with unique gingerbread creations like forest cottages or gothic mansions to help encourage their creativity.

13. Make Snow Sigils

If there’s snow on the ground, invite guests to draw a sigil or symbol into it using sticks or gloved fingers. If not, use black paper and white chalk indoors. For the latter, they can keep these inside their grimoire, on their altar, or burn them in a bonfire as a way to seal their intention.

14. Cozy Movie Screening

Feeling something low-key and cozy? Host a winter-themed movie night. Choose something animated, folktale-inspired, or light-hearted, such as the Neverending Story or Wolfwalkers. Add blankets, popcorn, and mulled cider.

15. Gratitude Circle

This simple activity is the perfect ending for your Winter Solstice celebration. Gather around a fire pit, bonfire, or simply in a circle indoors, and pass around a small object representing the solstice. Invite each person to share something they’re grateful for from the past year when the object reaches them. This helps creates a shared moment of appreciation and helps end the year on a note of gratitude so you and your guests can step into the next grounded, centered, and in a good heart space.