Manhattanhenge

2027: our forecast

Treat these as a window: our model has matched AMNH’s May dates exactly and landed one to two days late in July (see the check below). AMNH usually publishes official times in spring; when it does, use theirs.

2026: the official times

AMNH’s Hayden Planetarium published 2026 Manhattanhenge as: half sun May 28 at 8:14 p.m. and July 12 at 8:21 p.m.; full sun May 29 at 8:13 p.m. and July 11 at 8:20 p.m. (AMNH).

How it works

Manhattan’s 1811 street grid is turned about 29° east of true north, so its cross streets point at a compass bearing of about 299°, a little north of west. The sun only sets that far north in the weeks around the summer solstice, so it lines up twice: once in late May on the way north and once in mid-July on the way back. (Around early December and early January the sunrise lines up with the eastern end of the streets, a far less watched version.)

We find the evenings when the sun’s bearing equals the grid’s, at the moment its disc touches a horizon raised to the height of the New Jersey skyline at the end of the street. The time of the alignment is a few minutes before the official sunset, because the sun disappears behind New Jersey before it reaches the sea horizon.

Where to watch

Pick a wide cross street that runs straight to the Hudson with a clear view west to New Jersey. 42nd Street is the classic (AMNH’s own Manhattanhenge film is shot there); 14th, 23rd, 34th and 57th Streets are the other usual choices. Get there early: the sidewalks fill, and don’t stand in the roadway.