Shortest Day of the Year – Winter Solstice & Daylight
When is the shortest day of the year? Find the exact winter solstice date, sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for your city. Updated annually.
Earliest sunset and latest sunrise – New York
- The earliest sunset comes before the shortest day, the latest sunrise after it – the equation of time shifts them.
- Earliest sunset: 16:28 (December 3)
- Latest sunrise: 07:25 (October 31)
The shortest day of 2026 in 12 cities
- Sunrise, sunset and day length on the shortest day of the winter, in local time.
- New York: Sunrise 07:16 · Sunset 16:31 · Day length 9 h 15 min
- Los Angeles: Sunrise 06:54 · Sunset 16:47 · Day length 9 h 53 min
- Chicago: Sunrise 07:14 · Sunset 16:22 · Day length 9 h 08 min
- Houston: Sunrise 07:12 · Sunset 17:26 · Day length 10 h 14 min
- Miami: Sunrise 07:03 · Sunset 17:34 · Day length 10 h 32 min
- Seattle: Sunrise 07:54 · Sunset 16:20 · Day length 8 h 26 min
- Denver: Sunrise 07:17 · Sunset 16:38 · Day length 9 h 21 min
- Boston: Sunrise 07:10 · Sunset 16:14 · Day length 9 h 05 min
- Toronto: Sunrise 07:47 · Sunset 16:43 · Day length 8 h 56 min
- London: Sunrise 08:03 · Sunset 15:53 · Day length 7 h 50 min
- Manchester: Sunrise 08:22 · Sunset 15:51 · Day length 7 h 28 min
- Edinburgh: Sunrise 08:42 · Sunset 15:39 · Day length 6 h 58 min
Questions and answers
- When is the winter solstice in New York? On December 21, 2026 at 15:50 local time. The day lasts only 9:15 h: sunrise 07:16, sunset 16:31.
- How much shorter is the shortest day than the longest? In New York 5:51 h. At noon the sun reaches only 26° above the horizon.
- Is the earliest sunset on the shortest day? No – in New York the earliest sunset is on December 3 (16:28), the latest sunrise on October 31 (07:25). After the solstice evenings get lighter first, mornings only later.
Why Is There a Shortest Day?
The shortest day of the year — the winter solstice — occurs because Earth's axis is tilted 23.4° relative to its orbital plane. When your hemisphere tilts furthest from the sun, the sun traces its lowest and shortest arc across the sky, resulting in the fewest daylight hours.
The winter solstice falls around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. After this date, days gradually grow longer again — a turning point that has been celebrated by cultures worldwide for millennia.
The winter solstice marks the astronomical turning point toward longer days
Earth's Axial Tilt (23.4°)
Earth's rotation axis is tilted relative to the sun. At the winter solstice, your hemisphere points maximally away from the sun, minimizing the sun's angle above the horizon.
Minimal Daylight Hours
At 50° latitude (London, Berlin), the shortest day has only about 8 hours of daylight. At the Arctic Circle (66.5°N), the sun doesn't rise at all — polar night.
The Turning Point
After the solstice, each day gains 1–4 minutes of light. The change is slowest near the solstice itself and fastest around the equinoxes in March and September.
Effects on Daily Life
The shortest day affects everything from energy levels to heating costs. Reduced sunlight triggers increased melatonin production, which can lead to fatigue, mood changes, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in up to 10% of the population at higher latitudes.
On the positive side, the winter solstice has been a cause for celebration throughout history — from Stonehenge alignments to Scandinavian Yule festivals. It marks the promise that light is returning.
Maximize Morning Light
Get outside within the first hour after sunrise. Even 15 minutes of winter daylight helps regulate your circadian rhythm and boost serotonin.
Track the Light Gain
After the solstice, days grow by 1–4 minutes daily. Use SunnyTracker to watch the gradual return of light — it's motivating!
Plan Around Solar Noon
The strongest light occurs around solar noon. Schedule outdoor activities and exercise during this window for maximum benefit.
Consider Light Therapy
If you live above 50° latitude, a 10,000 lux light therapy box for 20–30 minutes each morning can significantly help with winter blues.
Closest to 12:00 h of daylight – a few days away from the equinox, because of refraction and the sun's disc.
They don't fall on the solstice itself – the equation of time shifts them by days or weeks.
The earliest sunset comes before the shortest day, the latest sunrise after it – the equation of time shifts them.
On the equinox the day is already a little longer than 12 hours; the day of equal day and night comes earlier in spring and later in autumn.