Sunset & Sunrise Today in Columbia, Maryland
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Columbia: sunrise 7:18 AM, sunset 6:26 PM.
Columbia, Maryland sees the sun come up at 7:17 AM and go down at 6:28 PM on Thursday, October 15, 2026 — 11h 10m of daylight from sunrise to sunset. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over Columbia, is at 12:53 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 2 minutes shorter and 28 seconds. This is autumn 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 5:52 PM to 6:45 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 6:45 PM to 6:55 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Columbia is at 6:26 PM and sunrise at 7:18 AM — about 2m 28s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Columbia drift across the whole year.
Autumn has arrived in Columbia, and the days are drawing in. 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 | 7:17 AM | 6:28 PM | 11h 10m |
| Ellicott City | 7:17 AM | 6:27 PM | 11h 10m |
| Catonsville | 7:16 AM | 6:27 PM | 11h 10m |
| Hanover | 7:16 AM | 6:27 PM | 11h 10m |
| Woodlawn | 7:17 AM | 6:27 PM | 11h 10m |
Columbia sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 55m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 23m
- Latest sunset 8:37 PM (June 21)
- Earliest sunset 4:43 PM (December 4)
- Earliest sunrise 5:40 AM (June 9)
- Latest sunrise 7:34 AM (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 15 | 7:17 AM | 6:28 PM | 11h 10m | — |
| Fri Oct 16 | 7:18 AM | 6:26 PM | 11h 08m | −2m 28s |
| Sat Oct 17 | 7:19 AM | 6:25 PM | 11h 05m | −2m 27s |
| Sun Oct 18 | 7:20 AM | 6:23 PM | 11h 03m | −2m 27s |
| Mon Oct 19 | 7:21 AM | 6:22 PM | 11h 00m | −2m 26s |
| Tue Oct 20 | 7:22 AM | 6:21 PM | 10h 58m | −2m 26s |
| Wed Oct 21 | 7:23 AM | 6:19 PM | 10h 56m | −2m 25s |
| Thu Oct 22 | 7:24 AM | 6:18 PM | 10h 53m | −2m 24s |
| Fri Oct 23 | 7:25 AM | 6:17 PM | 10h 51m | −2m 23s |
| Sat Oct 24 | 7:26 AM | 6:15 PM | 10h 48m | −2m 23s |
| Sun Oct 25 | 7:27 AM | 6:14 PM | 10h 46m | −2m 22s |
| Mon Oct 26 | 7:28 AM | 6:13 PM | 10h 44m | −2m 22s |
| Tue Oct 27 | 7:29 AM | 6:11 PM | 10h 41m | −2m 20s |
| Wed Oct 28 | 7:31 AM | 6:10 PM | 10h 39m | −2m 19s |
Twilight times in Columbia today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 5:47 AM | 7:57 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 6:18 AM | 7:26 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:49 AM | 6:55 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 7:00 AM | 7:52 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 5:52 PM | 6:45 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
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.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Columbia
What time is sunset in Columbia today?
Sunset in Columbia, Maryland is at 6:28 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 7:17 AM today, with 11h 10m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Columbia tomorrow?
Sunrise in Columbia tomorrow is at 7:18 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 6:26 PM.
What time is sunset in Columbia tomorrow?
Sunset in Columbia tomorrow is at 6:26 PM.
How long is the day in Columbia today?
Columbia gets 11h 10m of daylight today, between sunrise at 7:17 AM and sunset at 6:28 PM.
When is golden hour in Columbia?
The evening golden hour in Columbia is about 5:52 PM to 6:45 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Columbia?
The evening blue hour in Columbia runs from about 6:45 PM to 6:55 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Columbia?
After sunset at 6:28 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Columbia at around 6:55 PM today.
When is solar noon in Columbia?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Columbia — is at 12:53 PM today.
Nearest cities to Columbia
More cities in Maryland
Learn more about the sunset
- 🌇 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.