If you're asking what time is sunset in dallas tx, you probably need a quick answer for a dinner date or a photography session at White Rock Lake. Right now, on January 16, 2026, the sun is set to dip below the horizon at exactly 5:44 PM.
But here’s the thing. If you show up at 5:44 PM, you've basically missed the show.
Dallas has this weird, expansive horizon that makes the "golden hour" hit differently than it does in the rolling hills of Austin or the coastal humidity of Houston. Because North Texas is famously flat—sorry, but it’s true—that final stretch of light lingers in a way that can be deceptive.
Understanding the Sunset Schedule in Dallas
The sun doesn't just "turn off." In Dallas, we deal with a significant amount of civil twilight. On a typical January evening, while the official what time is sunset in dallas tx might be 5:44 PM, you actually have usable, beautiful light until about 6:11 PM. This is what photographers call the "blue hour," and in the Big D, it’s when the Reunion Tower starts to glow and the skyline really begins to pop.
Daylight is currently on the rebound. We just passed the winter solstice a few weeks ago, so we're gaining about a minute or two of light every single day. By the end of this month, you’ll be looking at sunsets closer to 6:00 PM.
If you're planning further ahead, keep March 8, 2026, circled on your calendar. That’s when Daylight Saving Time kicks back in. We’ll "spring forward," and suddenly that 6:30 PM sunset jumps to 7:30 PM overnight. It’s the day Dallasites collectively come out of hibernation and start filling up the patios on Henderson Avenue.
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Why Dallas Sunsets Look Different
Have you ever noticed how some nights the sky looks like a bruised orange and other nights it’s a dusty, pale pink?
Dust. Honestly, that’s a big part of it.
Texas wind kicks up particulate matter from the West Texas plains. When the sun is low on the horizon, its light has to travel through more of our atmosphere. This scatters the shorter blue wavelengths and leaves us with those long, red and orange wavelengths. If there’s a bit of particulate in the air—maybe a front moving in from the Panhandle—the colors get incredibly vivid.
Best Spots to Catch the Sunset in Dallas TX
You can’t just stand in a parking lot in North Richland Hills and expect magic. You need a view.
White Rock Lake is the obvious choice for a reason. Specifically, Sunset Bay. It’s located on the eastern side of the lake, so you’re looking west over the water toward the downtown skyline. On a clear January night, the reflection of the sun hitting the water while the skyscrapers catch the last rays is pretty much unbeatable. Plus, you get the wintering pelicans adding some movement to your view.
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If you’re more of an urbanite, the Canvas Hotel rooftop in the Cedars is a local secret that isn’t much of a secret anymore. You’re south of the main cluster of buildings, so you see the sun setting "behind" the skyline. It’s dramatic. It’s moody. It’s very "Dallas."
For those who want a bit of nature without leaving the concrete jungle, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve up in Plano offers a high point (well, high for Texas) that looks out over the tree line.
The Science of the "Green Flash"
It’s rare, but people swear they see it here. The green flash is a meteorological optical phenomenon that happens right as the sun disappears. Because our horizon is so flat, if you have a perfectly clear day with no haze—which, let's be real, is rare in DFW—you might catch a tiny spark of emerald green for a fraction of a second.
Planning Your Evening Around the Sun
If you're trying to figure out what time is sunset in dallas tx for an outdoor event, give yourself a 20-minute buffer.
- Golden Hour: 4:55 PM to 5:44 PM (The soft, warm glow)
- Official Sunset: 5:44 PM (The sun disappears)
- Civil Twilight: 5:44 PM to 6:11 PM (The "Blue Hour")
Most people pack up and head to their cars the moment the sun vanishes. That's a mistake. The "afterglow" in Texas can last for a long time because of the way the light reflects off the upper atmosphere. Some of the most intense purples and deep pinks don't even show up until ten minutes after the official sunset time.
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Misconceptions About Texas Time
One thing that trips up visitors is the sheer size of the state. Dallas is in the Central Time Zone, but because we are so far west within that zone, our sunsets happen significantly later than they do in, say, Chicago or Nashville. Even though we’re on the same "clock," the sun has a lot more ground to cover before it reaches us.
When you're looking at a weather app, it might tell you the sunset is at 5:44 PM, but remember that "sunset" is defined as the moment the top edge of the sun sinks below the horizon. If you’re in a valley or surrounded by tall buildings in Uptown, your personal sunset might happen 15 minutes earlier.
Practical Steps for Your Next Sunset Outing
Knowing what time is sunset in dallas tx is only half the battle. To actually enjoy it, you need a plan.
First, check the cloud cover. A 100% overcast sky is a bust. However, a "partly cloudy" forecast is actually better than a perfectly clear one. High-altitude cirrus clouds catch the light and turn into those fiery streaks of red and gold that make for the best photos.
Second, get to your spot at least 30 minutes before the official time. If you’re going to White Rock Lake, parking can be a nightmare on a nice day, even in the winter.
Finally, bring a layer. Even if it was 65 degrees at noon, once that sun goes down in January, the Texas wind will remind you that it’s still winter. The temperature can drop 10 degrees in the span of twenty minutes once the solar radiation stops hitting the pavement.
To maximize your experience, check the specific daily delta. Right now, the sun is setting about 70 seconds later each day. If you’re planning a Saturday evening outing instead of Friday, just add a minute to the 5:44 PM mark and you’re good to go.