Atlanta Shabbat Times: How to Know When Shabbat Begins and Ends in Atlanta

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, knowing the local Shabbat times is essential for planning prayers, candle lighting, meals, and travel. Because Shabbat is tied to sunset and nightfall, the exact times are different in Atlanta than in cities like New York, Miami, or Chicago—and they change week by week.

This guide explains how Shabbat times work specifically in Atlanta, how to find this week’s times, and what local residents and visitors typically do to stay on schedule.

What “Shabbat Times” Mean in Atlanta

When people talk about Atlanta Shabbat times, they usually mean:

• Candle lighting time (Friday before sunset)
• Sunset time (Friday evening)
• Nightfall / Shabbat end time (Saturday night)

Different Jewish communities may use slightly different customs, but in Atlanta, the pattern is generally:

• Candle lighting: about 18 minutes before Atlanta sunset on Friday
• Shabbat ends: when three stars are visible, often calculated as about 40–60 minutes after Atlanta sunset on Saturday, depending on custom

Because Atlanta is located roughly in the middle of the Eastern time zone and at a southern latitude, its:

• Winter Shabbat starts relatively early (late afternoon/early evening)
• Summer Shabbat starts later (often after 8:00 p.m. in mid-summer)

Why Shabbat Times Are Different in Atlanta

Shabbat times depend on:

1. Latitude and longitude – Atlanta’s position affects the length of daylight throughout the year.
2. Time zone – Atlanta follows Eastern Time (ET) and observes Daylight Saving Time, which shifts clock time forward in the summer.
3. Halachic (Jewish law) calculations – Rabbinic opinions determine how long before sunset to light candles and how long after sunset to wait before Shabbat ends.

Because of these factors, you cannot safely use Shabbat times from another city for Atlanta. Even within Georgia, Atlanta’s times are different from Savannah, Augusta, or Athens.

Typical Pattern of Shabbat Times in Atlanta (By Season)

Use the table below as a general seasonal guide, not exact times. Always check specific times for each week.

🟡 Important: These are approximate ranges. For halachic observance, always use exact weekly times from a reliable source.

How to Find This Week’s Shabbat Times in Atlanta

Because Shabbat times change every week, most people in Atlanta use one or more of these methods:

1. Printed and Digital Community Calendars

Many Atlanta-area synagogues and Jewish organizations publish weekly or monthly calendars that list:

• Friday candle lighting
• Shabbat day prayer times
• Shabbat ending time
• Times for Jewish holidays that follow Shabbat-style restrictions

Common places Atlanta residents check include:

• Synagogue bulletins and printed calendars
• Weekly email newsletters from local congregations
• Wall calendars distributed by Jewish organizations

These typically use standard Atlanta coordinates and widely accepted halachic opinions.

2. Online Shabbat Time Calculators

Many observant Jews in Atlanta rely on online Jewish calendars or apps where you:

1. Enter “Atlanta, GA” as your location.
2. Confirm time zone: Eastern Time (ET).
3. Choose default or preferred candle lighting offset (commonly 18 minutes before sunset).
4. View this week’s Shabbat start and end times.

If you are traveling to Atlanta, adjust your app’s location so it uses Atlanta rather than your home city.

3. Smartphone Jewish Calendar Apps

Several Jewish calendar apps allow you to:

• Set Atlanta as your default city
• Receive notifications before candle lighting
• See upcoming Shabbat and holiday times for Atlanta

These are especially useful if you’re:

• New to the city
• Staying in a hotel or short-term rental
• Out and about on Fridays and want reminders

How Shabbat Times Affect Daily Life in Atlanta

Planning Around Atlanta Traffic

Atlanta is known for heavy Friday afternoon traffic on:

• I-285, I-75, I-85, GA-400, and major surface roads

Many people who observe Shabbat in Atlanta try to:

• Leave work early on winter Fridays
• Avoid scheduling late-afternoon errands near candle lighting time
• Plan extra travel time to get to synagogue or home before Shabbat

In winter months, Friday candle lighting can be a bit after 5:00 p.m., which can overlap with rush hour, so planning ahead is especially important.

Work and School Schedules

For those who fully observe Shabbat, Atlanta Shabbat times can affect:

• Friday departure from work or school
• Scheduling of kids’ activities, sports, and events
• Business travel in and out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Some observant employees arrange:

• Shorter Friday hours in winter
• Remote work on Fridays when possible
• Clear communication with employers about religious observance needs

Local Atlanta Synagogue Practices and Timings

Different synagogues in Atlanta may have slightly different customs regarding exact Shabbat end times, but candle lighting times are generally consistent citywide.

Common Shabbat Timing Patterns in Atlanta Congregations

Most synagogues in the Atlanta area will post:

• Kabbalat Shabbat / Friday night services start time
• Shacharit / Saturday morning services start time
• Mincha, Seudah Shlishit, and Maariv times for Shabbat afternoon and evening
• Their preferred Shabbat end time (Havdalah)

If you plan to attend services, it’s best to:

• Check that week’s synagogue schedule
• Confirm whether they follow the common 18-minute candle lighting custom
• Ask if they use a “later” or “earlier” opinion for Shabbat ending time

Practical Tips for Keeping Track of Shabbat in Atlanta

Here are some simple, Atlanta-focused ways to stay on top of Shabbat times:

• Set recurring Friday alarms on your phone:
  • One 2 hours before candle lighting as a “get ready” reminder
  • One 40 minutes before candle lighting as a “final prep” reminder
• Print or save a monthly Shabbat schedule for Atlanta on your fridge or bulletin board.
• If you’re staying in a hotel, ask for a room that:
  • Is on a lower floor if you plan to avoid using elevators on Shabbat
  • Has a mechanical door lock, if that matters to your observance level
• If you walk to synagogue:
  • Use online maps to measure walking time from your Atlanta neighborhood (like Sandy Springs, Toco Hills, Virginia-Highland, or Midtown)
  • Factor in hills, heat, or rain, especially during Atlanta summers and stormy seasons

Special Cases: Jewish Holidays and Early/Double Shabbat in Atlanta

In some years, Jewish holidays that have Shabbat-like restrictions start:

• Right after Shabbat ends, or
• On Friday evening, overlapping with Shabbat

In Atlanta, this can lead to special candle lighting times such as:

• Candle lighting from a pre-existing flame after Shabbat ends but before a festival
• Earlier-than-typical lighting when a festival leads into Shabbat

Holiday schedules are usually posted by Atlanta synagogues and Jewish organizations and are best checked each year because dates change on the secular calendar.

If You’re New to Shabbat in Atlanta

If you’re just starting to pay attention to Atlanta Shabbat times, here’s a simple step-by-step approach:

1. Look up this week’s Shabbat times specifically for “Atlanta, GA.”
2. Add the times to your calendar (digital or paper).
3. Plan your Friday shopping, cooking, and travel to finish well before candle lighting, especially in winter.
4. If you want to attend services, call or email a local synagogue to:
   • Confirm service times
   • Ask any questions about parking, walking routes, or accessibility
5. On Saturday night, wait until after the listed Shabbat end time before resuming activities you avoid on Shabbat.

By consistently checking Atlanta-based times and planning a bit ahead, Shabbat observance in the city becomes much smoother—whether you live in Atlanta year-round or are just in town for a visit.