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See a Summer Solstice Celebration at Stonehenge

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Revellers celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England, on June 21, 2016.
Revellers celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England, on June 21, 2016.Kieran Doherty—Reuters
By TIME Photo

Thousands of people visit Stonehenge each year to celebrate the summer solstice, the official start of the summer. Around 12,000 people came to the historic site to watch the sunrise and welcome the year’s longest day, according to the BBC, down from around 23,000 in 2015. The drop in numbers was likely due to the solstice falling on a weekday as well as poor weather the day before, the BBC said.

 

Revellers celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England, on June 21, 2016.
Revellers celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England, on June 21, 2016. Kieran Doherty—Reuters
Revellers celebrate the longest day of the year at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England, June 20, 2016.
Revellers celebrate the longest day of the year at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England, June 20, 2016.Kieran Doherty—Reuters
A reveller celebrates the longest day of the year at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England, June 20, 2016.
A reveller celebrates the longest day of the year at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England, June 20, 2016. Kieran Doherty—Reuters
People gather to see the sun rise at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, during the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, June 21, 2016.
People gather to see the sun rise at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, during the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, June 21, 2016. Andrew Matthews—AP
A poi performer spins light balls as people gather at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England to see in the new dawn after this year's Summer Solstice on June 21, 2016.
A poi performer spins light balls as people gather at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England to see in the new dawn after this year's Summer Solstice on June 21, 2016.PA Images/Sipa USA
People gather at Stonehenge in Wiltshire to see in the new dawn during this year's Summer Solstice, June 21, 2016.
People gather at Stonehenge in Wiltshire to see in the new dawn during this year's Summer Solstice, June 21, 2016.PA Images/Sipa USA
People watch the sun rise at Stonehenge in Wiltshire as they see in the new dawn during this year's Summer Solstice, June 21, 2016.
People watch the sun rise at Stonehenge in Wiltshire as they see in the new dawn during this year's Summer Solstice, June 21, 2016. Andrew Matthews—PA Wire/Press Association Images

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