Sunset & Sunrise Today in Boston, Massachusetts
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Boston: sunrise 5:21 AM, sunset 8:18 PM.
Today, Wednesday, July 15, sunset in Boston is at 8:18 PM and sunrise was at 5:21 AM, giving Boston 14h 57m between first and last light. The sun reaches its high point above Boston at 12:50 PM.
Because Boston is at 42.36° (the mid-latitudes), 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 27 seconds. This is summer in Boston, so the daily sun times are still on the move.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for Boston's golden hour, about 7:38 PM to 8:39 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:39 PM to 8:53 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Boston is at 8:18 PM and sunrise at 5:21 AM — about 1m 30s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Boston drift across the whole year.
This is high summer in Boston, the season of long evenings. Over the course of the year, sunset in Boston ranges from as early as 4:11 PM (around December 3) to as late as 8:24 PM (around June 20). Its longest day lands on June 21 with 15h 16m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 04m.
Moon in Boston today
Sunset today: Boston vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 5:21 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 57m |
| South Boston | 5:21 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 57m |
| Cambridge | 5:21 AM | 8:19 PM | 14h 57m |
| Somerville | 5:21 AM | 8:19 PM | 14h 57m |
| Dorchester | 5:21 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 57m |
Boston sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 21 — 15h 16m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 04m
- Latest sunset 8:24 PM (around June 20)
- Earliest sunset 4:11 PM (around December 3)
- Earliest sunrise 5:07 AM (around June 8)
- Latest sunrise 7:16 AM (around October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Boston (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 6:47 AM | 6:56 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:07 AM | 8:24 PM | 15h 16m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:31 AM | 6:41 PM | 12h 09m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:10 AM | 4:14 PM | 9h 04m |
Boston sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Jul 15 | 5:21 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 57m | — |
| Thu Jul 16 | 5:21 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 56m | −1m 30s |
| Fri Jul 17 | 5:22 AM | 8:17 PM | 14h 54m | −1m 33s |
| Sat Jul 18 | 5:23 AM | 8:16 PM | 14h 53m | −1m 36s |
| Sun Jul 19 | 5:24 AM | 8:16 PM | 14h 51m | −1m 39s |
| Mon Jul 20 | 5:25 AM | 8:15 PM | 14h 49m | −1m 42s |
| Tue Jul 21 | 5:26 AM | 8:14 PM | 14h 48m | −1m 44s |
| Wed Jul 22 | 5:27 AM | 8:13 PM | 14h 46m | −1m 47s |
| Thu Jul 23 | 5:28 AM | 8:12 PM | 14h 44m | −1m 50s |
| Fri Jul 24 | 5:29 AM | 8:11 PM | 14h 42m | −1m 52s |
| Sat Jul 25 | 5:30 AM | 8:10 PM | 14h 40m | −1m 54s |
| Sun Jul 26 | 5:31 AM | 8:09 PM | 14h 38m | −1m 57s |
| Mon Jul 27 | 5:32 AM | 8:08 PM | 14h 36m | −1m 59s |
| Tue Jul 28 | 5:33 AM | 8:07 PM | 14h 34m | −2m 01s |
Twilight times in Boston today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 3:14 AM | 10:25 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 4:04 AM | 9:35 PM |
| Civil twilight | 4:46 AM | 8:53 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:00 AM | 6:01 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:38 PM | 8:39 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon — useful for photographers, sailors and stargazers in Boston.
Sunrise & sunset in Boston by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:13 AM | 4:22 PM | 9h 08m |
| February | 6:57 AM | 4:58 PM | 10h 00m |
| March | 6:19 AM | 5:33 PM | 11h 14m |
| April | 6:26 AM | 7:09 PM | 12h 43m |
| May | 5:39 AM | 7:43 PM | 14h 04m |
| June | 5:10 AM | 8:14 PM | 15h 04m |
| July | 5:11 AM | 8:24 PM | 15h 13m |
| August | 5:37 AM | 8:03 PM | 14h 26m |
| September | 6:09 AM | 7:17 PM | 13h 08m |
| October | 6:41 AM | 6:25 PM | 11h 43m |
| November | 6:17 AM | 4:37 PM | 10h 19m |
| December | 6:54 AM | 4:12 PM | 9h 18m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time in Boston.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Boston
What time is sunset in Boston today?
Sunset in Boston, Massachusetts is at 8:18 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Boston today?
Sunrise in Boston is at 5:21 AM today, with 14h 57m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Boston tomorrow?
Sunrise in Boston tomorrow is at 5:21 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 8:18 PM.
What time is sunset in Boston tomorrow?
Sunset in Boston tomorrow is at 8:18 PM.
How long is the day in Boston today?
Boston gets 14h 57m of daylight today, between sunrise at 5:21 AM and sunset at 8:18 PM.
When is golden hour in Boston?
The evening golden hour in Boston is about 7:38 PM to 8:39 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Boston?
The evening blue hour in Boston runs from about 8:39 PM to 8:53 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Boston?
After sunset at 8:18 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Boston at around 8:53 PM today.
When is solar noon in Boston?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Boston — is at 12:50 PM today.
Sunset times in cities near Boston
Sunrise & sunset times in more Massachusetts cities
Sunset card for Boston
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.