Newgrange Winter Solstice - 19th to 23rd December 2025
Winter Solstice Sunrise at Newgrange in the Boyne Valley
Visitors are invited to gather outside the Newgrange monument to witness the sunrise during the mornings around the Winter Solstice, from December 19th to 23rd. This unique experience offers an opportunity to connect with the ancient site and its timeless celebration of light, as the first rays of the sun illuminate the Newgrange chamber.
Winter Solstice Lottery
Each year, the OPW holds a lottery to select a small number of people who will experience the Winter Solstice sunrise from inside the Newgrange Chamber.
Successful applicants, together with a guest, are assigned a day between 19 and 23 December, when the rising sun illuminates the chamber through the roof-box.
Access via Visitor Centre
There is no car parking at the Newgrange Monument itself. All visitors should start at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Eircode A92 EH5C.
Limited free parking is available at the Visitor Centre. Allow extra time for parking and taking the free shuttle bus from the Visitor Centre to Newgrange.
Access to Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre and Newgrange is free until 8:30AM on Solstice mornings (December 19th to 23rd).
The Visitor Centre will open early on Solstice mornings:
Friday 19 December 07:30, first bus 08:00
Saturday 20 December 07:00, first bus 07:30
Sunday 21 December 06:15, first bus 06:30
Monday 22 December 07:30, first bus 08:00
Tuesday 23 December 07:30, first bus 08:00
Only registered assistance dogs with appropriate documentation are permitted on-site.
This is an outdoor experience, so please dress warmly and wear suitable footwear for winter conditions.
Newgrange Chamber Access
Sunrise access to the chamber is limited to Solstice Lottery winners. If you'd like to visit the chamber after sunrise, you can queue to the right of the entrance. Visitors will be admitted in small groups after the winners' session concludes.
Road Closures
Approach roads to the Newgrange monument will be closed on the mornings of December 20th and 21st.
Park and Ride from Slane
To facilitate members of the community who wish to approach the solstice event from the north on Sunday 21st December. The OPW and the local Community Forum have put in place arrangements to provide bus transportation from Slane GAA club (C15 E180) as far as Knowth from whence people can walk to Newgrange.
The main route is through the Interpretive Centre in Staleen but this provides people with access from the north and through the road blocks along the N51 to the Solstice event. It encourages visitors not to park along the N51 which is a Safety concern but to use the free Park and Ride service which must booked in advance at Eventbrite.
Chronological photographic essay of the Winter Solstice at Newgrange
Newgrange Winter Solstice Archive
- 21st December 2025 Winter Solstice.
- 19th December 2024 Winter Solstice.
- 19th December 2023 Winter Solstice.
- 20th December 2022 Winter Solstice.
- 20th December 2020 Winter Solstice.
- 18th December 2016 Winter Solstice.
- 20th December 2015 Winter Solstice.
- 19th December 2014 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2013 Winter Solstice.
- 18th December 2011 Winter Solstice.
- 22nd December 2010 Winter Solstice.
- 19th December 2010 Winter Solstice.
- 18th December 2010 Winter Solstice.
- 22nd December 2009 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2009 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2008 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2007 Winter Solstice.
- 22nd December 2006 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2006 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2005 Winter Solstice.
- 20th December 2005 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2004 Winter Solstice.
- 19th December 2004 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2003 Winter Solstice.
- 22nd December 2002 Winter Solstice.
- 21st December 2001 Winter Solstice.
Winter Solstice live stream from Newgrange