Summer Solstice Marks Longest Day of the Year
The summer solstice is a time for adventure, innovation, and celebration, with various traditions and events taking place around the world, from the Midsommar festival in Sweden to the summer solstice gathering at Stonehenge, and from digital shifts in Saudi Arabia to the use of artificial intelligence in monitoring emergency lanes.
The summer solstice, marking the astronomical start of the summer season, begins on Saturday, June 21, 2025, with the Kingdom witnessing the solstice at 5:42 a.m. Makkah time, when the sun will be directly overhead above the Tropic of Cancer. This year, the summer will last for 93 days, bringing with it various traditions and celebrations around the world.
In Saudi Arabia, the summer solstice is a significant event, and the country has been making strides in various fields, including education and innovation. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals has achieved a milestone by entering the list of the world’s top 100 establishments, ranking 67th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. Additionally, a student-led team at King Abdulaziz University has completed an innovative research project that uses artificial intelligence to monitor violations of emergency lanes on highways in real time.
The summer solstice is also a time for celebration and adventure. Two Jeddah-based Indian-Saudi bikers have covered a distance of 6,218 kilometers across the Gulf Cooperation Council region on their motorcycles, traveling thousands of miles and crossing GCC borders. Moreover, the summer solstice is celebrated with various traditions around the world, including the Midsommar festival in Sweden, featuring flower wreath-weaving, decorated pole-erecting, fire-lit ceremonies, and feasting.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a dynamic arena for digital shifts, with entrepreneurs increasingly using social media to launch and grow their businesses. A new digital tool has emerged to support social-first entrepreneurs, featuring branded microsites, product catalogues, and smart links that help founders establish a more centralized and professional presence online without needing advanced technical knowledge. This tool has the potential to save small business owners up to 10 hours a week, boosting efficiency and freeing time for growth.
As the summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, it is a time for reflection, celebration, and looking forward to the future. With its rich traditions, innovative spirit, and growing digital landscape, Saudi Arabia is poised to make the most of this special day and the upcoming summer season.