Daylight Hours in New York City During Winter Solstice

On the winter solstice (around December 21), New York City experiences its shortest day of the year, with approximately 9 hours and 20 minutes of daylight.

• Sunrise: ~7:16 AM EST
• Sunset: ~4:31 PM EST
• Day Length: 9h 15m–9h 25m (varies slightly by year)

After the solstice, daylight increases by ~1–2 minutes daily, reaching 12 hours at the spring equinox (March 20). The long winter nights are a defining feature of NYC's seasonal rhythm—impacting commuting, mood, and energy use.