Mark your calendars, New Yorkers: after months of blink-and-you-miss-it daylight and sunsets that felt aggressively early, for the first time in 2026, the sun is about to finally start setting after 5pm in NYC. It’s not summer yet, but it’s definitely a step out of our seasonal depression era–and a full personality reset for the city!
New York City’s first 5 pm sunset of 2026 will happen on Wednesday, January 21. After that? It’s a slow but steady climb towards longer days and brighter evenings.
After blistering hot summers, New Yorkers practically cry tears of joy when fall finally arrives and the air starts to feel crisp again–but there’s a catch: those cozy autumn nights come with painfully early sunsets. And that time back in October when the sunset plunged from 5:51 pm to 4:50 pm literally overnight practically had us sobbing into our udon.
But with news of the sun setting later, suddenly those tears have been replaced with giddiness at the thought of golden hour on rooftops, sunny walks home from the office, and the disappearance of “is it nighttime or just 3:48pm?” confusion.
And from here on out, it’s a steady incline toward the summer solstice on Sunday, June 21, 2026—the longest day of the year—with 15 hours and 5 minutes of daylight and an 8:30pm sunset.
Translation: hope is back, serotonin is warming up, and suddenly that post-work walk doesn’t feel like a cry for help.
So yes, it may still be damn cold out, but at least that 4:30pm pitch black era is on its way out and daylight bliss will now be keeping us company! We’ve earned this small but emotionally life-changing win.
And if 5pm still sounds too early, you’ll be delighted to know that come March we’ll return to 7pm sunsets following daylight saving time! 🙌
☀️ Where to Best See the Sunset in NYC
Looking to get the absolute best view of these fabulously later sunsets? This iconic NYC spot was named one of the best sunset-viewing locations in the country (trust us—you’ll want your camera ready).
Plus, we have a full guide to must-visit sunset-viewing spots around the city–bookmark a few so you’re prepared for the longest day of the year!