Summer solstice 2023: Photos from Stonehenge as it welcomes 8,000 visitors

Summer is officially here. 

Around 8,000 people gathered around the prehistoric stones at Stonehenge to greet the sun for the summer solstice, which is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

The first day of summer is June 21, which falls on Wednesday this year. The day is known as the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun will be at its peak at exactly 10:58 a.m. EST. 

In southern England, druids, pagans, hippies, local residents and tourists – wearing robes and colorful wardrobes – celebrated the first day of summer at Stonehenge Tuesday and greeted the sunrise Wednesday.

Today is 2023's summer solstice. Everything to know about the longest day of the year.

Here’s a look at photos from this year’s summer solstice at Stonehenge.

Stonehenge summer solstice 2023 photos

Contributing: The Associated Press