Hike, bonfire, wassail, more to mark sunset solstice celebration | Arts & Culture

Aldo Leopold Nature Center hosts family night on Dec. 21

Monona’s Aldo Leopold Nature Center has a family-friendly celebration planned for late December to celebrate the longest night of the year, the winter solstice. Highlights of the Nov. 21 event include an evening hike, a wassail, ceremonial yule log burn, snacks and storytelling. The evening will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cultures around the globe throughout history have celebrated the winter solstice as a time to reflect on the past year and look with hope to the coming year.

The solstice celebration will include:

• A naturalist-led twilight hike on ALNC’s trails
• A festive bonfire and ceremonial burning of the Yule log
• Wassail made over a fire in the Children's Shack
• Hot cocoa and seasonal snacks
• Nature crafts for the kids including a fun and functional pinecone birdfeeder
• Inspirational winter solstice stories from around the globe

The cost for the evening is $6 for ALNC members (or $20 family) and $7 ($25 family) for non-members.

Visit the ALNC website for more information or call 608-216-9374.

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center is located at 330 Femrite Drive in Monona.