Manhattanhenge 2025: Where and when to see New York's famous solar alignment
New Yorkers and visitors will have four chances this year to witness
Manhattanhenge
, a striking natural event where the setting sun aligns perfectly with the city's east-west streets. This year, the spectacle first occurs on the evening of Wednesday, May 28, peaking at 8:13 p.m., with a second show on May 29. It returns again on July 11 and 12, creating a stunning contrast of sun and skyscrapers across Manhattan.
Manhattanhenge draws growing crowds annually, some so large they fill the streets. The event is a mix of science and spectacle, attracting both astronomy enthusiasts and photographers hoping to capture the iconic glow. Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the
American Museum of Natural History
who calculates the dates each year, calls it 'astronomy in your face' — a 'huge science party that will occur in the city.'
Why Manhattanhenge happens
Manhattan's strict grid system, designed in the 1800s, lines up roughly north to south and east to west. Twice a year, the setting sun aligns exactly with these east-west streets. This happens because Earth's tilted axis causes the sun's setting position to shift daily. In spring, the sun sets further north each day, then swings back south after the summer solstice around June 20. Manhattanhenge's dates fall on either side of this solstice, allowing two viewing windows each year.
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Faherty explains, 'It pingpongs between solstices… because we're going around the sun, like doing loops around a track.' This alignment turns New York's urban canyons into a natural amphitheatre for spectacular sunsets.
Key dates and what to expect
The first set of dates this year is May 28 and 29, with sunsets visible at 8:13 p.m. and 8:12 p.m. respectively. July 11 and 12 mark the second chance. On May 28 and July 12, viewers will see the sun's top half aligned with the streets. On May 29 and July 11, the entire sun is visible framed by skyscrapers before it dips below the horizon.
Live Events
Clouds may affect visibility, particularly on May 28, when near-total cloud cover and rain are expected. Thursday, May 29 offers better chances with possible breaks in the clouds. July typically has clearer skies, increasing the odds for a full view.
Best places to watch
Popular viewing spots include wide east-west streets such as 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th Streets. The Tudor City overpass at 42nd Street offers a great view of the Chrysler Building, while the Park Avenue Viaduct near Grand Central is a favourite for photographers, though access is restricted and police often manage crowds there.
Faherty advises, 'You have to be in the middle of the street to fully appreciate it,' but urges safety above all. Other notable places include uptown locations like 145th Street and Queens' Hunters Point, which provide less conventional but striking views.
The origins of Manhattanhenge
The phenomenon likely caught the eye of New Yorkers since the city's grid was laid out. However, the term 'Manhattanhenge' was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2002. Inspired by the ancient Stonehenge monument in England, Tyson noticed a similar alignment of the sun in Manhattan — framed not by stones but by steel and glass skyscrapers.
Since then, Manhattanhenge has gained popularity as an annual urban celebration of astronomy and nature's rhythm.
A related event, called Reverse Manhattanhenge, occurs in November and January when the sun rises along the east-west streets, mainly affecting boroughs like the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. These dates are harder to pinpoint because of varied topography and urban obstacles. Plus, colder weather and cloudier skies mean fewer spectators turn out.
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