If you're looking for the exact moment the sky turns to fire over the Hudson, you've come to the right place. Honestly, there is something deeply satisfying about catching that final sliver of orange before it dips behind the Jersey skyline.
Today, January 15, 2026, the sun sets in New York City at exactly 4:53 PM.
That’s it. That is your window. But if you show up at 4:53 PM, you’ve basically missed the show. The real magic—the stuff that makes people stop dead in their tracks on the High Line—happens in the twenty minutes before that time and the "blue hour" that follows.
Why the 4:53 PM Sunset Today in NYC Matters
New York in mid-January is a bit of a paradox. It’s cold. Really cold. But the air is often crisp and clear, which means less humidity to blur those iconic skyline silhouettes.
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You’ve probably noticed the days are finally getting longer. It feels slow, right? We are about three weeks past the winter solstice now. Since the start of January, NYC has clawed back about 20 minutes of evening light. It’s a small victory, but when you're leaving an office building and it isn't pitch black yet, it feels like a total win.
The Science of the NYC Sunset: More Than Just a Clock
Most people think the sunset is a fixed point. It isn't. Not really.
If you are standing on the 102nd floor of One World Observatory, you’re actually going to see the sun for about a minute or two longer than someone standing at street level in Battery Park. This is purely because of altitude. The higher you go, the further "around" the curve of the Earth you can see.
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Atmospheric Drama
Then there is the color. Ever wonder why winter sunsets look "cleaner" than summer ones? It’s because the air is drier. In the summer, haze and humidity scatter the light, often giving us those hazy, humid pinks. In January, the lower sun angle means the light has to travel through more of the Earth's atmosphere. This filters out the blues and violets, leaving those deep, punchy reds and burnt oranges.
Scientists call this scattering, but most New Yorkers just call it "getting the shot for the 'gram."
Where to Catch the Light: Pro Spots
If you are trying to maximize the what time is sunset today in nyc search, you need a destination. You can’t just stand between two skyscrapers in Midtown and expect a view. You’ll just see shadows.
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- The Reservoir in Central Park: This is the local favorite for a reason. From the east side of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, you get the sun setting directly behind the El Dorado and the San Remo apartments. The water reflects the sky, and suddenly you have twice as much color.
- Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pebble Beach): If you want the classic "Manhattan on fire" view, you have to leave Manhattan. Head to Dumbo. Stand by the water. You’ll see the sun drop behind the Financial District buildings.
- The Staten Island Ferry: It is free. It’s iconic. It’s windy as heck in January. But watching the sunset from the back deck as you pull away from Whitehall Terminal is a top-tier NYC experience that costs zero dollars.
The Twilight Factor
Don't pack up your camera the second the sun disappears at 4:53 PM.
Civil Twilight today lasts until about 5:23 PM. This is when the sun is just below the horizon but still illuminating the sky. It’s that perfect "glowy" light where the city lights start to flicker on—the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building—but the sky is still a deep, bruised purple. It’s arguably more beautiful than the sunset itself.
Timing Your Commute or Your Date
If you’re planning a romantic walk or a photography session, aim to be at your spot by 4:30 PM. This gives you time to find a seat, adjust your scarf, and watch the transition.
New York moves fast, but the sunset is one of the few things that forces the city to slow down. Even the most jaded commuters usually glance west as they cross a bridge or exit the subway.
Actionable Next Steps for Today
- Check the Cloud Cover: If it’s 100% overcast, you won’t see much. But if there are "scattered" clouds, get ready. Clouds act like a canvas for the setting sun to paint on.
- Layer Up: It might be 35 degrees at 3:00 PM, but once that sun goes down at 4:53 PM, the temperature will drop fast. Bring gloves if you're taking photos; metal tripods and smartphones get freezing quickly.
- Head West: If you're in Manhattan, get as close to the West Side Highway or the Hudson River as possible. The "urban canyons" of the 40s and 50s will swallow the light early if you stay in the middle of the island.
The days are getting longer, one minute at a time. Enjoy the 4:53 PM glow while it lasts, because by next month, we’ll be pushing well past 5:00 PM.