Green northern lights streak across a night sky, over a lake surrounded by snow

Northern lights over Lake Inari, Finland, by Monica M. Smith, 2021 winner

Share your inspirational winter images by midnight, Dec. 4!

The longest nights of the year are at hand, and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) wants to know where YOU find your sources of joy and inspiration. Send us your favorite winter nature pics by Dec. 4, and they could appear on SERC’s social media as part of our 12 Nights of Solstice celebration (with credit to you, of course)!

Here’s how it works:

  • Submit up to three winter photos taken by you or your child, following the theme All the Colors of Cold. Creative interpretations encouraged, but photos must be nature focused!
  • A panel of SERC judges will choose six winning photos from the public and six from Smithsonian staff and volunteers.
  • The 12 winners will appear on our “12 Nights of Solstice” social media campaign, running from the winter solstice on Dec. 21 through Jan. 1.

Enter the contest

Show me the rules, please (4-minute read)