The UK is set to experience sunset after 9pm for the first time since 2025, with the westernmost parts of the country seeing the milestone on Thursday, April 30. According to predictions, County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland will be among the first areas to enjoy daylight beyond 9pm.
For London, the first post-9pm sunset is expected around May 26, while Edinburgh will see it on May 6, Cardiff on May 18, and Belfast on May 3. The days have been gradually lengthening since the winter solstice in December, and the clocks changing in March have contributed to later sunsets.
Sunset times will continue to get later until the summer solstice on June 21, 2026, which is the longest day of the year. On that date, the sun is forecast to set at 9.21pm in London, 10.02pm in Edinburgh, 9.33pm in Cardiff, and 10.04pm in Belfast.
After the solstice, the sun's position remains stable for a few days before the days begin to shorten again. The summer solstice occurs when the Earth's axis is tilted closest to the sun, resulting in the sun being at its highest point in the sky in the northern hemisphere. This event is celebrated by many cultures worldwide.
