What Time Is the 2025 Summer Solstice Sunrise and Sunset? USA Guide

If you’ve been asking, “what time is the 2025 summer solstice sunrise and sunset?”, you’re in the right place! Here’s everything you need to know about sunrise and sunset schedules across the U.S., daylight hours, and celebrating this magical day of light.

When Is the 2025 Summer Solstice?

The official moment of the summer solstice occurs on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 10:42 PM EDT (which is 02:42 UTC on June 21). For Central Time, that’s 9:42 PM CDT, and in the West Coast it happens around 7:42 PM PDT .

But the real charm? The long daylight hours bracket that moment, sunrise in the early morning, sunset in the late evening.

Sunrise and Sunset Times: Nationwide Overview

Across much of the continental U.S., sunrise and sunset on June 20–21, 2025 look like this:

• Sunrise: ~4:44 AM local time
  
• Sunset: ~9:22 PM local time
  
• ⇒ About 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight 

These are averages, but there are fascinating regional variations.

Regional Highlights: From East to West

Eastern Time (e.g., New York, Miami, Boston)

• Sunrise roughly 4:50–5:00 AM EDT
  
• Sunset near 8:30–8:45 PM EDT
  
• Sun lingers high until the official solstice at 10:42 PM EDT
  

Central Time (e.g., Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans)

• Sunrise ~4:40–4:45 AM CDT
  
• Sunset ~9:20–9:25 PM CDT
  
• Solstice at 9:42 PM CDT
  

Mountain Time (e.g., Denver, Phoenix)

• Sunrise ~4:30–4:35 AM MDT
  
• Sunset ~9:00–9:05 PM MDT
  
• Solstice roughly 8:42 PM MDT
  

Pacific Time (e.g., Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland)

• Sunrise ~5:10–5:20 AM PDT
  
• Sunset ~8:45–8:55 PM PDT
  
• Solstice ~7:42 PM PDT

Northern Extremes (e.g., Fairbanks, AK)

Expect twilight through midnight, with no true sunset.

Why Sunrise & Sunset Don’t Align Exactly with the Solstice Moment

You may find that the earliest sunrise happens around June 14, and the latest sunset near June 24–25, not exactly on June 20 . This is due to Earth’s tilted axis and orbital dynamics creating slight timing shifts around the solstice.

So expect a few extra minutes of early sun and late light across the week, not just one specific date!

How Much Daylight Will You Get?

At around 16 hours and 38 minutes, you’re looking at the longest day of the year for your region .
For example:

• Chicago enjoys ~15 hours 16 minutes at the solstice
  
• Some parts north of the Arctic Circle experience 24 hours of daylight!
  

Solstice Celebrations & Sunrise Spots

Top Sunrise Locations

• Michigan’s US‑23 Heritage Route, along Lake Huron, one of the nation’s best for solstice sunrise.
  
• Hilltops, lakesides, and seafronts offer beautiful expansive views.
  

Community Events

Expect yoga classes at dawn, bonfires, sunrise ceremonies at parks and spiritual centers, these often coincide with the solstice spirit.

Nature & Rituals

Celebrate with journaling during the sunrise, setting intentions, or even mid-season hikes to catch the sun’s first rays.

Cultural & Spiritual Significance

Across civilizations, the summer solstice is more than astronomy, it’s a symbol of renewal, fertility, and light triumphing over darkness.

Common traditions:

• Yoga or meditation at dawn
  
• Flower crowns, herbal waters, seasonal feasts
  
• Inspired by Pagan, Native American, and global cultures honoring sun, earth, and community

Timing Cheat-Sheet by Time Zone

(Approximate; varies by latitude and region.)

FAQs About Summer Solstice Sunrise & Sunset

Q: Is the summer solstice always on June 20?

A: No, it can fall on June 20, 21, or even 22. In 2025, it’s June 20 at 10:42 PM EDT

Q: Why don’t sunrise or sunset align exactly on solstice day?

A: Due to Earth’s tilted orbit and calendar irregularities, sunrise often peaks earlier and sunset later, creating the longest day window around the solstice .

Q: How many daylight hours will I get?

A: Around 16 hours and 38 minutes, depending on your region .

Q: What’s the meaning of “solstice”?

A: It comes from Latin “solstitium”, “sun stands still,” referencing how sunrise/sunset positions pause before reversing .

Closing Thoughts

Make The Most of the 2025 Summer Solstice Sunrise & Sunset

Now you know exactly what time is the 2025 summer solstice sunrise and sunset, and the story behind those long hours of daylight! Whether you’re chasing the sunrise on a lakeshore or soaking in the sunset from your backyard, you’re in for a magical day.

Plan ahead to:

• Wake up early with purpose
  
• Set intentions at dawn or dusk
  
• Join sunrise events in your community
  
• Capture those golden light photos
  

Don’t just mark the date, celebrate the moment. Happy solstice, and here’s to the brightest day of your year!