If you’re standing outside near Fayetteville Street right now looking at your watch, you're probably wondering exactly how much light you have left. Honestly, the timing of the sunset in Raleigh, NC is a moving target. It shifts by a minute or two every single day.
Right now, as we hit the middle of January 2026, the sun is finally starting to stick around a little longer. For today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the sun sets at precisely 5:26 PM.
That might feel early, but compared to the "big dark" of December, we're actually gaining daylight at a pretty rapid clip. You've probably noticed it. You leave work, and instead of pitch black, there’s that tiny sliver of orange on the horizon. It’s a start.
Why Raleigh’s Sunset Times Feel So Different Every Month
North Carolina weather is famously moody, but the sun is predictable. Mostly. Because Raleigh sits at about 35.77° N latitude, our day length swings significantly between the seasons. We aren't the North Pole, but we definitely feel the tilt of the Earth.
In the dead of winter—think late December—the sun dips below the horizon as early as 5:01 PM. It’s brutal. You basically live in the dark. But by the time we hit the Summer Solstice in June, Raleigh sunsets don't happen until around 8:35 PM.
That's a massive difference. You get over three extra hours of "doing stuff" time in the summer.
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The Twilight Factor: When is it Actually Dark?
A lot of people think sunset means "lights out." Not really. You actually have three stages of twilight to work with before it’s truly night:
- Civil Twilight: This is the 25-30 minutes right after sunset. On January 17, this lasts until about 5:54 PM. You can still see well enough to walk the dog or find your car keys without a flashlight.
- Nautical Twilight: From 5:54 PM to 6:25 PM. The horizon gets blurry. Sailors used to use this time to navigate by the stars.
- Astronomical Twilight: By 6:56 PM, the sun is so far down (18 degrees below the horizon) that its light no longer interferes with astronomical observations. That's "real" dark.
Best Spots to Catch the Raleigh Sunset
If you're going to watch the sunset, don't just stare at it from a Target parking lot. Raleigh has some world-class vantage points that make the 5:26 PM timing worth planning for.
Dorothea Dix Park
This is the undisputed heavyweight champion of Raleigh sunsets. Specifically, you want to head to Harvey Hill or the Flowers Field area. Because the park is on a ridge, you get a panoramic view of the downtown skyline. When the sun hits those glass buildings in the Warehouse District, the whole city turns gold.
The Boylan Bridge
You’ve seen the photos. Every Raleigh influencer and their cousin has a shot from here. It’s a classic for a reason. You stand over the train tracks, look East toward the city, and watch the sun drop behind you. The silhouette of the PNC Plaza against a purple sky is peak Raleigh. If you want a drink with the view, Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing sits right there and has one of the best patios in the South.
Lake Johnson
If you want something a bit more "nature-y," go to the boardwalk at Lake Johnson. The reflection of the trees on the water during the "golden hour" is incredible. It’s quieter than Dix Park, though parking can still be a nightmare on a Saturday.
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The Science of Our North Carolina Glow
Why do North Carolina sunsets look so... purple and pink?
It’s a mix of humidity and aerosols. In the summer, all that moisture in the air scatters the light, often giving us those heavy, hazy orange glows. In the winter, the air is usually drier and cleaner. This leads to much sharper, more vibrant pinks and purples because the light isn't being bounced around by as much water vapor.
Also, Raleigh's elevation—roughly 315 feet above sea level—doesn't change the timing much compared to the coast, but if you drive two hours west to the mountains, the sunset "happens" earlier because the sun disappears behind a literal mountain long before it actually hits the horizon.
Quick Reference: Raleigh Sunset Timeline 2026
To give you an idea of how fast things change, look at the progression for the next week:
- Jan 17 (Today): 5:26 PM
- Jan 18: 5:27 PM
- Jan 19: 5:28 PM
- Jan 20: 5:29 PM
- Jan 21: 5:30 PM
We are gaining roughly one minute and twenty seconds of light every day right now. By the end of the month, the sun won't set until 5:41 PM. That’s a huge psychological win for anyone struggling with the winter blues.
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Actionable Tips for Sunset Chasers
If you’re planning a photo shoot or a romantic walk, don't show up at the sunset time listed on your iPhone.
The Golden Hour actually starts about 40 minutes before the official sunset. This is when the light is soft, warm, and doesn't create those harsh shadows under your eyes. If the sun sets at 5:26 PM, you want to be in position by 4:45 PM to get the best light.
Also, check the cloud cover. A completely clear sky is actually kind of boring for photos. You want about 30% to 50% cloud cover—specifically high-altitude cirrus clouds. These catch the light from below the horizon and turn those wild shades of fire-engine red.
If you’re heading to Dix Park today, bring a heavy blanket. Even though the sun is out, once it drops at 5:26 PM, the temperature in the Triangle tends to plummet fast. Expect it to feel about 10 degrees colder the second the sun disappears.
To make the most of today's 5:26 PM sunset, head over to the North Carolina Museum of Art's Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park. The giant "GYRE" rings (the big silver hoops) look incredible as the sun passes through them, and the paved trails make for an easy walk back to the car once the light fades.