Despite the clocks going forward every year, it’s still wild to think that Manchester hasn’t seen an 8pm sunset since August 31, 2025 – which might be seven months, but it has felt like forever. We’ve endured months of bleak, chilly evenings, but with spring here, the wait is finally over.
Today marks a turning point as Manchester welcomes its first 8pm sunset of the year. It’s a literal bright spot that means you can finally sit in a beer garden for a few hours before it goes dark. It feels like the first real nudge toward summer, and honestly? We’re here for it.
Sure, we might be getting ahead of ourselves, but after having a few days of sunshine and being hotter than Ibiza this week, it feels like the hardest part of winter is behind us. Let’s just enjoy the extra light and ignore the fact that the clocks will eventually go back again. That’s a problem for future us!
Mancunians will be able to enjoy 144 days where the sun will set after 8pm in Manchester
According to Time and Date, the first 8pm sunset in Manchester will take place on April 10, when the sun isn’t leaving us until bang on 8pm – plus, it’s a Friday, so that’s one way to kickstart the weekend. This means from now until May 14, we can be treated to 8pm sunsets before 9pm sunsets become a thing throughout the summer.
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, get ready, as summer is on its way and the cold and dark months will, in fact, end. Now, point me to the nearest beer garden!