Toronto will have its first 5 p.m. sunset of the year this week

Toronto will finally see its first 5 p.m. sunset this week – you read that right.

Is the doom and gloom of winter almost over? It will surely feel like it, especially as we head deeper into the month. For many Torontonians, especially those nine-to-fivers, the return of even a little extra daylight after work can make a noticeable difference.

When will Toronto have its first 5 p.m. sunset?

According to Time and Date, Toronto will get to see the sun set at 5 p.m. as of Jan. 10, 2026.

Compare that to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, which had a sunrise time of 7:47 a.m. and a sunset time of 4:43 p.m.

As January progresses, sunsets will continue to occur later in the day. By Jan. 31, 2026, Toronto will see a sunset of 5:27 p.m. That’s almost 45 extra minutes of evening light compared to late December.

While sunsets start getting later shortly after the winter solstice, sunrise times take a bit longer to catch up, which is why mornings can still feel dark for a few weeks.

By the last day of the month, sunrise in the city is expected to be around 7:35 a.m.

Morning commuters can definitely appreciate that.

While winter is far from being over, the return of longer days often feels like a turning point. Though it may be a small shift, for many in the city, it’s enough to make the season feel a little less heavy and a little more hopeful.

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