When is Winter Solstice in 2016?

The date of the shortest day of the year in 2016, also known as the Winter Solstice, is Wednesday, December 21st. 

What is Winter Solstice?

The shortest day of the year falls on the Winter Solstice. For the northern hemisphere, this day occurs in December while it occurs in June for the southern hemisphere. During December Winter Solstice, the sun's elevation is at it's most negative value in regards to the North pole since the prior month of December. The June Winter Solstice is the point at which the sun's elevation is the most positive in relation to the North Pole since the previous December. The day this event also falls on has the most night time and least day time since the previous Winter Solstice. 

Opposite of the Winter Solstice is the Summer Solstice, which happens to be the longest day of the year.