I was invited to a winter solstice gathering and was wondering if anyone had ever been to one?

I practiced wicca as a teen, but been following my own path for a very long time now! So what do they do? I know it is a cleansing ceremony involving a fire and it's to welcome the rebirth sun god, but that's about all I can recall. Any help is appreciated!

i celebrate the Solstice and i'm not wiccan

Lawrence Hall of Science visitors observe sunset on day of the winter solstice using the Sunstones II
Also called Midwinter, DōngZhì, Yule, Şabe Cele/Yalda, Soyal, Şeva Zistanê, Solar New Year, longest night
Observed by Various cultures, ancient and modern
Type Cultural, seasonal, astronomical
Significance Astronomically marks the beginning of shortening nights and lengthening days, interpretation varies from culture to culture, but most hold a recognition of rebirth
Date The solstice of winter
Between December 21 and December 22 (NH)
Between June 20 and June 21 (SH)
Celebrations Festivals, spending time with loved ones, feasting, singing, dancing, fire in the hearth
Related to Winter festivals and the solstice

The winter solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 22 1/2° 26'. Though the winter solstice lasts only an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used as midwinter or contrastingly the first day of winter to refer to the day on which it occurs. More evident to those in high latitudes, this occurs on the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun's daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest.
The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.

Wiccan and pagan traditions vary greatly between various groups so it's hard to say what someone's particular gathering might entail.

Yes, it can be a cleansing ceremony as there is usually a large bon fire or cauldron fire, or both.

Some traditions I've read about that I found attractive are the following:

Write down all of the negative things that you'd like to forget or rid yourself of from this year. Burn that list in the fire as a cleansing ritual to leave any unwanted negativity from this past year from crossing over into the new.

That's the cleansing part. (or at least one such ritual)

Another thing is to prepare for the year to come. The whole idea of the Sun God (at least for me) is that he represents the yearly cycle and thus he also represents my yearly goals. I dedicated my yearly goals in his honor at the winter solstice.

There are various ways of doing this. One is to scry the fire to catch glimpses of divination concerning your future goals. Another is to collect the ash from the solstice fire preferably from and oak log if possible. Or possibly some other type of tree that may have special meaning for you and your goals.

Use that collected ash for making you Holy Water for the entire coming year. You won't need much since you only use a pinch to make Holy Water, I use a small crucible to store Holy ash. This way it will be with you for all consecration rituals for the rest of the year.

The main thing is just to welcome the new God child and acknowledge that you'll be following his lead through the seasons of the year. Since you typically follow the Goddess on a more moonthy basis. (spelling intended)

That's all I know to tell you. Any specific rituals or ceremonies would be specific to the people who are hosting the gathering. I perform my winter solstice ritual alone in my backyard. I cast a sacred circle and play music and do some various other things. It's a celebration and a "Hello" to the reborn God. A dedication to be aware of, and in tune with, his seasonal cycles in my own endeavors for the year.

yeah I am not sure if they are really wiccan or another pagan faith! I just try to follow my own spirit guides thru life.

Thanks guys this help alot! I don't wanna show up a complete idiot though and do believe in cleansing ceremonies and feel I need to experience this. I've been running from emotional issues for years & it's time to let things go and welcome a new life for myself.

I will work on my list to burn!

Ask the person who invited you what they are planning to do for a ceremony. That would be the best way.

I do negative list burning at All Hallows, or last quarter moons. Winter Solstice is supposed to be a cheery celebration, celebrating the returning Sun, and everyone surviving the darkest/coldest part of the year. Why would one want to do what's essentially a sad and mopey ceremony?

However, Abra is right. There are many ways to celebrate, and all kinds of interestingly mixed up ceremonies. It can be very enjoyable to watch and participate.