When Is Sunset in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Golden Hour in the City

If you’re planning an evening in Atlanta, Georgia—whether it’s a rooftop dinner in Midtown, a walk on the BeltLine, or photos at Piedmont Park—knowing when sunset is in Atlanta helps you time everything just right.

Because sunset changes slightly every day and throughout the year, there isn’t one single answer. But there are clear patterns, and once you know them, planning sunsets in Atlanta becomes easy.

The Short Answer: Typical Sunset Times in Atlanta

Sunset in Atlanta generally falls within this range:

• Earliest sunsets: around 5:30 PM (early December)
• Latest sunsets: around 8:55–9:00 PM (late June to early July)

Here’s a simple overview of typical sunset times by season in Atlanta (Eastern Time):

These are approximate times based on typical patterns in Atlanta. For the exact time today, you’ll want to use a current-day source (like your smartphone’s weather app or a sunrise/sunset calendar).

How Sunset Works Specifically in Atlanta

Atlanta’s Location and Time Zone

Atlanta is located at roughly 33.75° N latitude in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). That means:

• The city follows Eastern Standard Time (EST) in fall and winter
• The city shifts to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in spring and summer (daylight saving time)

Because of this, sunset times move in a predictable yearly cycle, with:

• Earlier sunsets in late fall and early winter
• Later sunsets in late spring and early summer

Month-by-Month Sunset Patterns in Atlanta

If you’re planning ahead for a trip, photography, or regular evening habits, this rough month-by-month guide can help. Times below are typical ranges, not exact daily times.

January

• Typical sunset: ~5:40 PM to 6:00 PM
• Days slowly get longer after early January.
• Good for early evening walks at places like Piedmont Park or the Atlanta BeltLine before it gets dark.

February

• Typical sunset: ~6:00 PM to 6:30 PM
• Noticeably lighter evenings by the end of the month.
• Helpful if you’re commuting home in city traffic and prefer some daylight.

March

• Early March: ~6:30 PM
• After daylight saving time starts (second Sunday in March): jumps to around 7:30 PM+
• By late March, you’re usually seeing sunsets closer to 7:45–7:50 PM.

April

• Typical sunset: ~7:50 PM to 8:15 PM
• Great month for evening Braves games, BeltLine outings, and patio dining around Inman Park, Midtown, or Old Fourth Ward.

May

• Typical sunset: ~8:15 PM to 8:40 PM
• Long evenings, ideal for late park visits to Piedmont Park, Grant Park, or Chastain Park with plenty of daylight.

June

• Typical sunset: ~8:40 PM to just before 9:00 PM
• Around the summer solstice (late June), Atlanta gets its latest sunsets of the year, very close to 9:00 PM.

July

• Typical sunset: ~8:45 PM to 8:30 PM (slightly earlier as the month goes on)
• Even in late July, you’ll still have light well after 8 PM.

August

• Typical sunset: ~8:30 PM dropping to around 8:00 PM
• Atlanta’s evenings are still long, but you’ll notice darkness coming a bit sooner toward the end of the month.

September

• Typical sunset: ~8:00 PM down to around 7:15 PM
• As fall begins, sunset creeps earlier. This matters for evening events like Falcons games or college football nights.

October

• Typical sunset: ~7:10 PM down to 6:40 PM
• Just before the time change, you’ll see sunsets in the 6:40–7:00 PM range.

November

• Before daylight saving time ends (early November): around 6:40 PM
• After the time change (first Sunday in November): drops to about 5:35–5:45 PM
• This is one of the most noticeable changes for Atlanta residents each year.

December

• Typical sunset: ~5:30 PM to 5:35 PM at the earliest part of the year, rising slightly to about 5:40–5:45 PM
• Earliest sunsets of the year, with dark evenings starting early. This is important if you’re planning holiday outings around Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden’s light displays, or downtown.

How Daylight Saving Time Affects Sunset in Atlanta

Atlanta observes daylight saving time (DST), which shifts the clock and makes sunset times appear to jump.

• ⏰ Second Sunday in March: Clocks move forward 1 hour
  • Sunset shifts from about 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM overnight.
• ⏰ First Sunday in November: Clocks move back 1 hour
  • Sunset shifts from about 6:30–6:40 PM to about 5:30–5:40 PM.

If you’re planning outdoor events, photography sessions, or commute schedules, it’s worth noting these two major yearly shifts.

Best Ways to Check Today’s Exact Sunset Time in Atlanta

Because sunset changes every single day, the most accurate way to know today’s sunset in Atlanta is to check a current resource. Some easy methods:

• Phone weather apps: Most built-in weather apps show sunrise and sunset right on the main screen when you set your location to Atlanta, GA.
• Smart speakers / voice assistants: Ask directly, using “Atlanta, Georgia” as the location.
• Weather and map apps: Many map or navigation apps list local sunrise and sunset, especially if you enable location services.

When checking, make sure your device is either:

• Set to Atlanta’s time zone (Eastern), or
• Using your current location if you’re physically in Atlanta.

Planning Around Sunset in Atlanta

Popular Places to Watch the Sunset

If you’re timing an evening specifically for sunset views in Atlanta, some well-known spots include:

• Piedmont Park – Wide, open views of the Midtown skyline from the meadow or near Lake Clara Meer.
• Jackson Street Bridge – Famous skyline overlook often used for photographs, especially at sunset.
• Atlanta BeltLine (Eastside Trail) – Elevated sections and open stretches where you can watch the light fade over the city.
• Skyline-facing rooftops in Midtown and Downtown – Many buildings and public vantage points offer excellent western views.

Because sunset times shift through the year, you’ll want to arrive:

• About 30–45 minutes before sunset for the golden hour (soft, warm lighting).
• Stay 15–30 minutes after sunset if you’re interested in “blue hour” photos with city lights like those in Downtown and Midtown.

Safety and Practical Tips

• Parks & trail hours: Many Atlanta parks, including Piedmont Park, generally close at 11:00 PM, but always check posted signs. Some smaller neighborhood parks may close at sunset or shortly after.
• MARTA usage: If you’re taking MARTA to or from sunset spots near Midtown Station, Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station, or Five Points, knowing sunset time can help you plan travel while it’s still light.
• Driving in rush hour: In fall and winter, sunset can line up with Atlanta’s evening commute, which can increase glare. Sunglasses and a little extra travel time can help.

Why Sunset Time Matters for Daily Life in Atlanta

Commuting and School Schedules

Atlanta’s busy corridors—I-285, I-75/85 (the Connector), I-20, and major surface streets like Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Avenue, and Moreland Avenue—can feel very different in daylight versus dusk or darkness. Knowing roughly when it will get dark helps residents:

• Plan safer driving routes or departure times
• Time evening walks or runs in neighborhoods or on the BeltLine
• Arrange after-school activities and sports practices before dark

Events, Sports, and Festivals

Many Atlanta events are scheduled with sunset in mind:

• Outdoor concerts and festivals (for example, at Central Park in Old Fourth Ward or Piedmont Park) often plan stage lighting and start times around when the sun sets.
• Sports games at venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium or Truist Park may cross from daylight into night, affecting transportation and post-game plans.

Checking the expected sunset time on the day of your event can help you decide whether you’ll be arriving or leaving in daylight.

Quick Reference: Typical Sunset Windows in Atlanta

If you just need a fast planning reference for Atlanta:

• Late November–Early January:
  • Sunset usually around 5:30–5:45 PM
• February–Mid March:
  • Sunset moves from around 6:00 PM up to 6:30+ PM
• After Time Change in March–Early May:
  • Sunset from about 7:30 PM up toward 8:15 PM
• Late May–Mid July:
  • Longest evenings, sunset typically 8:30–9:00 PM
• August–September:
  • Sunset shifts back from about 8:30 PM to 7:15–7:45 PM
• October–Early November:
  • Sunset from about 7:00 PM down to 6:30 PM, then after time change, around 5:30–5:45 PM

Use these as planning ranges, then confirm the exact time for a specific date with a current-day source.

Knowing when sunset is in Atlanta helps you make the most of the city’s parks, skyline views, and outdoor spaces—whether you live here, are visiting, or are just trying to understand how Atlanta’s evenings change through the year.