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If you’re feeling the doom of these cold, gloomy nights in Manchester, hang in there as brighter evenings are officially on the horizon. This winter has felt like a long slog, and whilst there is a possibility of freezing temperatures and snow coming this month, you’ll be happy to know that the worst of the darkness is behind us. Since the passing of the winter solstice, the days are gradually getting longer, which means those legendary 8pm Manchester sunsets are making their comeback.
Currently, the sun is setting at a depressing 4pm, but the countdown to Spring is on. It won’t be long before we’re swapping heavy coats for beer gardens, wine bars, and sunset drinks in the park or Stevie Square. Lighter days are coming back – who else is ready for it?
Credit: Shutterstock Manchester sunsets: the key times to look out for in 2026
If you’re anything like us and counting down the months, days, hours, and minutes and keeping an eye out for late sunsets, here are some days with particularly delightful times. With each one, the long days and balmy evenings of summer draw ever closer.
- January 21: the first 4.30pm sunset of 2026
- February 6: the first 5pm sunset of 2026
- March 9: the first post-6pm sunset of 2026
- March 18: the first day with more sunshine than nighttime (12 hours and 2 minutes of sunshine)
- March 29: the clocks spring forward for British Summer Time BST
- April 10: the first 8pm sunset of 2026
- May 14: the first post-9pm sunset of 2026 (days last for over 16 hours)
- June 21: summer solstice – the longest day of the year
Altogether, we Mancunians will be able to enjoy 144 days where the sun will set after 8pm. There will also be 83 sunsets in 2026 that take place at or after 9pm in Manchester. The latest sunset of the year will take place on June 24 and 25.
So, fret not about the cold and darkness as they won’t be around for much longer. The beer gardens and rooftops will be calling soon!