The participants cheered and beat on drums when dawn broke over the enormous prehistoric stone setting just after 8 am local time. The sun was absent, but that didn't prevent the celebration from breaking out.
This is about renewal, rebirth. We're entering the new year and it's also a good opportunity to confirm what has happened during the past year, says 31-year-old Chris Smith.
It's such an atmosphere. I mean, if you look around, you see everyone here, there's such energy at this place.
Now the days will get longer and longer until the summer solstice in June.
The winter and summer solstices are the only times when visitors can get all the way up to the stones.
Stonehenge began to be built 5,000 years ago and the work continued for 2,000 years. The construction has had the status of a World Heritage site since 1986.
