Sunset & Sunrise Today in Raleigh, North Carolina
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Raleigh: sunrise 6:10 AM, sunset 8:30 PM.
Raleigh, North Carolina sees the sun come up at 6:10 AM and go down at 8:30 PM on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 — 14h 20m of daylight from sunrise to sunset. Local solar noon in Raleigh falls at 1:20 PM.
Because Raleigh is at 35.77° (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 7 seconds. This is summer in Raleigh, so the daily sun times are still on the move.
For photographers, the evening golden hour in Raleigh runs from about 7:54 PM to 8:49 PM — that warm, low, flattering light just before sunset. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:49 PM to 9:00 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Raleigh is at 8:30 PM and sunrise at 6:10 AM — about 1m 10s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Raleigh drift across the whole year.
It's summer in Raleigh right now, when daylight is at its most generous. Over the course of the year, sunset in Raleigh ranges from as early as 5:00 PM (around November 30) to as late as 8:34 PM (around June 23). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 14h 34m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 43m.
Moon in Raleigh today
Sunset today: Raleigh vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 6:10 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 20m |
| West Raleigh | 6:10 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 20m |
| Cary | 6:10 AM | 8:31 PM | 14h 20m |
| Durham | 6:10 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 21m |
| Fayetteville | 6:13 AM | 8:29 PM | 14h 16m |
Raleigh sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 34m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 43m
- Latest sunset 8:34 PM (around June 23)
- Earliest sunset 5:00 PM (around November 30)
- Earliest sunrise 5:58 AM (around June 5)
- Latest sunrise 7:36 AM (around October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Raleigh (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:18 AM | 7:26 PM | 12h 07m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:59 AM | 8:33 PM | 14h 34m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 7:02 AM | 7:11 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:20 AM | 5:04 PM | 9h 43m |
Raleigh sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Jul 15 | 6:10 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 20m | — |
| Thu Jul 16 | 6:10 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 19m | −1m 10s |
| Fri Jul 17 | 6:11 AM | 8:29 PM | 14h 17m | −1m 11s |
| Sat Jul 18 | 6:12 AM | 8:28 PM | 14h 16m | −1m 14s |
| Sun Jul 19 | 6:13 AM | 8:28 PM | 14h 15m | −1m 16s |
| Mon Jul 20 | 6:13 AM | 8:27 PM | 14h 14m | −1m 19s |
| Tue Jul 21 | 6:14 AM | 8:27 PM | 14h 12m | −1m 20s |
| Wed Jul 22 | 6:15 AM | 8:26 PM | 14h 11m | −1m 23s |
| Thu Jul 23 | 6:15 AM | 8:25 PM | 14h 09m | −1m 25s |
| Fri Jul 24 | 6:16 AM | 8:25 PM | 14h 08m | −1m 26s |
| Sat Jul 25 | 6:17 AM | 8:24 PM | 14h 07m | −1m 29s |
| Sun Jul 26 | 6:18 AM | 8:23 PM | 14h 05m | −1m 30s |
| Mon Jul 27 | 6:18 AM | 8:22 PM | 14h 04m | −1m 32s |
| Tue Jul 28 | 6:19 AM | 8:22 PM | 14h 02m | −1m 34s |
Twilight times in Raleigh today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 4:24 AM | 10:15 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 5:04 AM | 9:36 PM |
| Civil twilight | 5:40 AM | 9:00 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:51 AM | 6:46 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:54 PM | 8:49 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon — useful for photographers, sailors and stargazers in Raleigh.
Sunrise & sunset in Raleigh by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:24 AM | 5:11 PM | 9h 46m |
| February | 7:14 AM | 5:41 PM | 10h 26m |
| March | 6:44 AM | 6:09 PM | 11h 24m |
| April | 7:01 AM | 7:36 PM | 12h 35m |
| May | 6:22 AM | 8:01 PM | 13h 38m |
| June | 6:00 AM | 8:25 PM | 14h 25m |
| July | 6:02 AM | 8:34 PM | 14h 31m |
| August | 6:22 AM | 8:18 PM | 13h 55m |
| September | 6:46 AM | 7:41 PM | 12h 54m |
| October | 7:09 AM | 6:57 PM | 11h 48m |
| November | 6:37 AM | 5:18 PM | 10h 41m |
| December | 7:06 AM | 5:00 PM | 9h 54m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time in Raleigh.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Raleigh
What time is sunset in Raleigh today?
Sunset in Raleigh, North Carolina is at 8:30 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Raleigh today?
Sunrise in Raleigh is at 6:10 AM today, with 14h 20m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Raleigh tomorrow?
Sunrise in Raleigh tomorrow is at 6:10 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 8:30 PM.
What time is sunset in Raleigh tomorrow?
Sunset in Raleigh tomorrow is at 8:30 PM.
How long is the day in Raleigh today?
Raleigh gets 14h 20m of daylight today, between sunrise at 6:10 AM and sunset at 8:30 PM.
When is golden hour in Raleigh?
The evening golden hour in Raleigh is about 7:54 PM to 8:49 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Raleigh?
The evening blue hour in Raleigh runs from about 8:49 PM to 9:00 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Raleigh?
After sunset at 8:30 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Raleigh at around 9:00 PM today.
When is solar noon in Raleigh?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Raleigh — is at 1:20 PM today.
Sunset times in cities near Raleigh
Sunrise & sunset times in more North Carolina cities
Sunset card for Raleigh
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.