When summer starts
There are two "official" dates. Astronomical summer begins with the solstice, which in the northern hemisphere falls on 21 June (in some years the 20th) and lasts until the equinox on 22–23 September. Meteorological summer, used by weather services, runs from 1 June to 31 August. The calculator counts down to 21 June; for 1 June use the generic "Days until a date" tool.
Other summer dates
- Last day of school: varies by country and region (see the dedicated page).
- Midsummer: 24 June in many European countries.
- End of summer: the autumn equinox, 22 or 23 September.
Why the solstice moves
The solar year lasts about 365 days and 6 hours: leap years realign the calendar, which is why the solstice drifts between 20 and 21 June. For a countdown the one-day difference hardly matters.
Other countdowns
⏳ How many days until a date 🎄 How many days until Christmas 🎆 How many days until New Year 🧹 How many days until Epiphany 💘 How many days until Valentine's Day 🎭 How many days until Carnival (Mardi Gras) 🐣 How many days until Easter 🏖️ How many days until Ferragosto (15 August) 🎃 How many days until Halloween 🎒 How many days until school starts 🏁 How many days until school ends 🎂 How many days until my birthday
Frequently asked questions
Does summer start on 21 June or 1 June?
21 June astronomically (the solstice), 1 June meteorologically. The calculator uses 21 June.
What about the southern hemisphere?
Seasons are reversed: there summer starts around 21 December.
Can I count the days to my holiday?
Yes, use the generic "Days until a date" tool with your departure date.