Sunset & Sunrise Today in Columbia, Maryland
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Columbia: sunrise 5:54 AM, sunset 8:32 PM.
Columbia, Maryland sees the sun come up at 5:53 AM and go down at 8:32 PM on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 — 14h 38m of daylight from sunrise to sunset. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over Columbia, is at 1:13 PM.
Columbia lies at latitude 39.24°, in the mid-latitudes, where daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 1 minute shorter and 17 seconds. This is summer in Columbia, so the daily sun times are still on the move.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for Columbia's golden hour, about 7:54 PM to 8:52 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:52 PM to 9:04 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Columbia is at 8:32 PM and sunrise at 5:54 AM — about 1m 20s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Columbia drift across the whole year.
It's summer in Columbia right now, when daylight is at its most generous. Over the course of the year, sunset in Columbia ranges from as early as 4:43 PM (around December 4) to as late as 8:37 PM (around June 21). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 14h 55m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 23m.
Moon in Columbia today
Sunset today: Columbia vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 5:53 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 38m |
| Baltimore | 5:52 AM | 8:31 PM | 14h 39m |
| Glen Burnie | 5:53 AM | 8:31 PM | 14h 38m |
| Silver Spring | 5:55 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 37m |
| Rockville | 5:55 AM | 8:33 PM | 14h 38m |
Columbia sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 55m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 23m
- Latest sunset 8:37 PM (around June 21)
- Earliest sunset 4:43 PM (around December 4)
- Earliest sunrise 5:40 AM (around June 9)
- Latest sunrise 7:34 AM (around October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Columbia (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:10 AM | 7:19 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:41 AM | 8:37 PM | 14h 55m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:55 AM | 7:04 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:23 AM | 4:47 PM | 9h 23m |
Columbia sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Jul 15 | 5:53 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 38m | — |
| Thu Jul 16 | 5:54 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 37m | −1m 20s |
| Fri Jul 17 | 5:55 AM | 8:31 PM | 14h 36m | −1m 22s |
| Sat Jul 18 | 5:56 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 34m | −1m 25s |
| Sun Jul 19 | 5:56 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 33m | −1m 27s |
| Mon Jul 20 | 5:57 AM | 8:29 PM | 14h 31m | −1m 30s |
| Tue Jul 21 | 5:58 AM | 8:28 PM | 14h 30m | −1m 32s |
| Wed Jul 22 | 5:59 AM | 8:28 PM | 14h 28m | −1m 35s |
| Thu Jul 23 | 6:00 AM | 8:27 PM | 14h 27m | −1m 37s |
| Fri Jul 24 | 6:00 AM | 8:26 PM | 14h 25m | −1m 39s |
| Sat Jul 25 | 6:01 AM | 8:25 PM | 14h 23m | −1m 41s |
| Sun Jul 26 | 6:02 AM | 8:24 PM | 14h 22m | −1m 44s |
| Mon Jul 27 | 6:03 AM | 8:23 PM | 14h 20m | −1m 45s |
| Tue Jul 28 | 6:04 AM | 8:22 PM | 14h 18m | −1m 48s |
Twilight times in Columbia today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 3:58 AM | 10:27 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 4:42 AM | 9:43 PM |
| Civil twilight | 5:21 AM | 9:04 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:33 AM | 6:31 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:54 PM | 8:52 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon — useful for photographers, sailors and stargazers in Columbia.
Sunrise & sunset in Columbia by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:27 AM | 4:54 PM | 9h 27m |
| February | 7:14 AM | 5:27 PM | 10h 13m |
| March | 6:40 AM | 5:59 PM | 11h 19m |
| April | 6:51 AM | 7:31 PM | 12h 39m |
| May | 6:09 AM | 8:00 PM | 13h 51m |
| June | 5:43 AM | 8:27 PM | 14h 44m |
| July | 5:44 AM | 8:37 PM | 14h 52m |
| August | 6:07 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 11m |
| September | 6:36 AM | 7:37 PM | 13h 01m |
| October | 7:03 AM | 6:49 PM | 11h 45m |
| November | 6:35 AM | 5:05 PM | 10h 30m |
| December | 7:08 AM | 4:44 PM | 9h 36m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time in Columbia.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Columbia
What time is sunset in Columbia today?
Sunset in Columbia, Maryland is at 8:32 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Columbia today?
Sunrise in Columbia is at 5:53 AM today, with 14h 38m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Columbia tomorrow?
Sunrise in Columbia tomorrow is at 5:54 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 8:32 PM.
What time is sunset in Columbia tomorrow?
Sunset in Columbia tomorrow is at 8:32 PM.
How long is the day in Columbia today?
Columbia gets 14h 38m of daylight today, between sunrise at 5:53 AM and sunset at 8:32 PM.
When is golden hour in Columbia?
The evening golden hour in Columbia is about 7:54 PM to 8:52 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Columbia?
The evening blue hour in Columbia runs from about 8:52 PM to 9:04 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Columbia?
After sunset at 8:32 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Columbia at around 9:04 PM today.
When is solar noon in Columbia?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Columbia — is at 1:13 PM today.
Sunset times in cities near Columbia
- BaltimoreMD
- Glen BurnieMD
- Silver SpringMD
- RockvilleMD
- GaithersburgMD
- Central 14th Street / Spring RoadDC
- GermantownMD
- GermantownMD
Sunrise & sunset times in more Maryland cities
Sunset card for Columbia
Learn more about sunset, sunrise & twilight
- 🌇 What is golden hour?Golden hour is the warm, soft light just after sunrise and before sunset. Learn what it is, when it happens, how long it lasts, and how to use it.
- 🌆 What is blue hour?Discover what blue hour is, when it happens, how it differs from golden hour, and expert tips for photographing the soft blue twilight. Check exact blue.
- 🌌 Twilight explained: civil, nautical & astronomicalLearn the three phases of twilight—civil, nautical, astronomical—and what they mean for photographers, stargazers, and sunset lovers.
- 🌅 Why are sunsets red and orange?Discover the science behind red and orange sunsets, from Rayleigh scattering to air quality. Learn when and where to see the most vivid colors.
- 📸 The best time to photograph a sunsetDiscover the best time to photograph a sunset, from golden hour to blue hour. Learn exact timing, camera settings, and composition tips for stunning shots.
- ☀️ What is solar noon?Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point. Learn why it rarely matches 12:00 PM and how to find your exact solar noon.
- 📈 Why days get longer and shorter through the yearEarth's axial tilt drives seasonal day-length changes. Learn how solstices, equinoxes, and latitude affect daylight where you live.
- 🌞 The summer solstice explainedWhat causes the summer solstice, when it happens, and how it affects sunset times. Discover the science and beauty of the year's longest day.