A soggy summer solstice

A soggy summer solstice

Matt Cardy / Getty Images

Gleu Sunpooja stands in front of Stonehenge as solstice revelers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer sunrise at the megalithic monument on June 21, 2012 near Salisbury, England.

Lefteris Pitarakis / AP

A man playing an accordion beneath a costume of torn fabrics and a child leave Stonehenge during the summer solstice after 4:52 am BST on June 21, 2012.

Rain-sodden crowds welcomed a spectacularly soggy summer solstice at Stonehenge in true British fashion Thurs day: With stoicism and wit. But through the wind and rain, drummers inside the ancient stone circle kept up their thumping rhythm, new age pagans continued with their chaotic dance, and visitors didn't lose their sense of humor. 

Stonehenge is a celebrated venue of festivities during the summer solstice - the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere - attracting thousands of revelers, spiritualists and tourists. Druids, a pagan religious order dating back to Celtic Britain, believe Stonehenge was a center of spiritualism more than 2,000 years ago. 

-- Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report

 Previously on PhotoBlog:

• Serenity in the city: Yoga takes over Times Square for summer solstice
• Sun shows up late for 2011 Stonehenge solstice

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Lefteris Pitarakis / AP

People gather during the summer solstice at Stonehenge on June 21, 2012.

Kieran Doherty / Reuters

A reveler prays during the summer solstice at the ancient Stonehenge monument on June 21, 2012.

Lefteris Pitarakis / AP< /p>

People gather during the summer solstice at Stonehenge on June 21, 2012.