2026 Winter Solstice with Ray Collective

Celebrate the Winter Solstice at Hengistbury Head with a performance by Ray Collective. From 1 - 2:45 pm come and craft a winter wand to use in the procession at 3 pm. The drop-in workshop will be run by Anna Shiels of Banana In the Moon and is suitable for young folk and adults. At 3pm sharp, the procession will start at the Visitor Centre courtyard. Everyone is invited to join in and sing a song as we walk - a song written especially for this event, which will be released beforehand for folk to learn. Or you can just watch it all happen - everyone is welcome to be as they are! Join Ray Collective (sometimes described as Nu-rave Morris dance) as they perform their Winter Solstice show - only ever performed once on the solstice, and never again. All invited to join in afterwards! The weather can feel wild as the site is coastal - so dress up warm with good footwear as it might get a bit damp underfoot. Ray Collective self-fund and put on these events for free, creating opportunities for all folk to gather and celebrate the turning of the seasons. This year’s event is held in conjunction with the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, and any voluntary contributions will go directly towards supporting the Centre’s work. Your support helps Hengistbury Head continue to offer events and activities for the community, while developing new experiences for the future. Every contribution, however small, makes a difference. Thank you for supporting Hengistbury Head! Photography and filming Photography and filming will take place during this event. Images and footage may be used for promotional, educational and archival purposes. By attending, you acknowledge that you may appear in photographs or footage. If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please speak to a member of the event team. The performance includes the use of CE certified smoke grenades. Access: The Visitor Centre (where the drop-in craft workshop will be held) is wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the mezzanine floor where the activity will be held. There are toilets in the courtyard area of the Visitor Centre, including a disabled toilet (no radar key required). Baby change is in the toilet upstairs in the centre. For the performance there will be a short walk (5 -7) mins at a slow pace from the Visitor Centre to the field behind the Visitor Centre which is usually closed. This is on uneven grassland but will be cleared to allow access for buggies and wheelchairs. If you have any concerns or questions, please get in touch with the team at Hengistbury who can advise further. We expect the full performance to finish around 3:45pm, with the Visitor Centre closing at 4pm. Sunset is just before 4pm so expect low light levels from then. Dogs on leads are welcome. Please be mindful that livestock may be in event area. This is an outdoor event. Please ensure you were suitable clothing and footwear. More on Hengistbury Head access: https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/visit-us/accessibility-at-hengistbury-head