New Yorkers, grab your cameras and head to the streets — Manhattanhenge is back for its first showing of 2026.

This evening, May 28, at 8:14 p.m. ET, the setting sun will align perfectly with Manhattan's east-west street grid, creating a stunning visual spectacle that draws thousands of spectators to the city's avenues each year. Tomorrow, May 29, offers a second chance at 8:13 p.m. ET.

What Makes Tonight Special

The two nights offer slightly different experiences. Tonight, you'll see what's called a "half sun" alignment — the top portion of the sun will sit perfectly on the horizon between the canyon of buildings. Tomorrow provides the "full sun" version, where the entire solar disk will be visible above the horizon, framed by Manhattan's iconic skyline.

Perfect Timing for Weather

Tonight looks like your best bet for catching Manhattanhenge. "While there are some clouds expected tonight, you will have a much better chance of viewing than tomorrow night when cloud cover becomes more widespread," says Weather.com meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser.

As for conditions, Weather.com meteorologist Rob Shackelford says "It'll be about 68 degrees on Thursday around 8 p.m. and breezy (winds between 10-15 mph) and Friday around 8 p.m., it'll be 73 with winds around 5-10 mph."

Weather.com meteorologist Tiffany Savona sums it up perfectly: "Not humid at all! Perfect weather!"

This makes Thursday evening particularly special — not only will you get the dramatic "half sun" effect, but you'll also have the clearest skies of the two-day event. Just bring a light jacket for the breezier conditions.

The Science Behind the Show

Manhattanhenge exists because of Manhattan's unique urban planning. The Commissioners' Plan of 1811 laid out the island's street grid at a 29-degree rotation from true east-west. When the setting sun's position aligns with this angled grid—which happens twice yearly on either side of the summer solstice—the result is pure urban magic.

The phenomenon was popularized and named by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, drawing inspiration from England's ancient Stonehenge monument, where the summer solstice sun aligns with the prehistoric stones. As Tyson notes about the timing: "These two days happen to correspond with Memorial Day and Baseball's All Star break. Future anthropologists might conclude that, via the Sun, the people who called themselves Americans worshiped War and Baseball."

Prime Viewing Locations

The most popular viewing areas are along the wide east-west streets that offer clear sightlines to New Jersey. Position yourself as far east as possible while maintaining a clear western view.

Top recommended streets:

• 42nd Street: Features spectacular views framed by the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building
• 34th Street: Perfect for capturing the Empire State Building in your frame
• 14th, 23rd, and 57th Streets: Wide avenues with excellent visibility

Pro tip: The middle of the street offers the best perspective, though be mindful of traffic and follow police directions. Look for spots where you can still see New Jersey when looking west down the avenues.

Track Sun Times Year-Round

Want to catch more spectacular sunsets throughout the year? Check out precise sunrise and sunset times for your location on The Weather Channel app's Sun & Moon page, where you can plan your perfect sunset viewing sessions beyond just Manhattanhenge dates.

More Chances This Summer

Miss this week's show? Manhattanhenge returns for its second act on July 11 and 12, with the sun setting about seven minutes later due to Earth's changing orbital speed.

The event has grown exponentially in popularity since Tyson first coined the term, now drawing massive crowds throughout Manhattan's grid system. Whether you're a longtime New Yorker or a first-time visitor, Manhattanhenge offers a unique moment when the city comes together to appreciate our home star's daily journey across the sky.

So grab a spot on the grid tonight—Manhattan's summer sunset season officially begins at 8:14 p.m.

Manhattanhenge also occurs during winter months with sunrise alignments, happening around Dec. 5 and Jan. 8.