When we lived in Alaska, the solstices were "celebrated" by the entire community, especially in winter, though not so much in a religious sense. There was a feeling that if you made it to the Winter Solstice, you'd make through the winter without going postal. In the summer, we had to put foil on the kids' bedroom windows so they could get to sleep, and it was nothing to be outside until 11 or 12 without realizing how late it was. I kind of miss the dramatic changes in the light like that.