Torontohenge 2026: Dates, Times & Forecast
Torontohenge is when the setting or rising sun lines up with Toronto's east–west streets: Queen, King, Dundas, College, Bloor and the rest. Because the city's grid is tilted about 16° from true east–west, it happens four times a year: sunsets in mid-February and late October, and sunrises in mid-April and late August.
- Next Torontohenge
Sunset · Sunday, October 25, 2026
Alignment at 6:16 PM (Toronto time) · predicted
- Forecast
- 62%Good
Alpenglow's sunset quality forecast for Toronto on Sunday, October 25. Full Toronto sunset forecast
Torontohenge dates and times
| Date | Event | Time (Toronto) |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Sunset | 6:16 PM |
| Tuesday, February 16, 2027 | Sunset | 5:46 PM |
| Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | Sunrise | 6:28 AM |
| Monday, August 23, 2027 | Sunrise | 6:32 AM |
| Monday, October 25, 2027 | Sunset | 6:16 PM |
Times are when the sun sits centred at the end of the street. Dates are predicted by Alpenglow; the days either side look nearly as good.
How Torontohenge works
Toronto's grid follows the old survey lines parallel to the Lake Ontario shoreline, which runs slightly south of west. So the east–west streets point toward a spot on the horizon about 16° south of due west, where the sun sets in mid-February and again in late October.
Looking the other way, the same streets point about 16° north of due east, where the sun rises in mid-April and late August. Each alignment is good for a few days either side of the date listed.
Torontohenge sunrises fall in mid-April and late August, looking east down the same streets.
Where to watch
- Sunset: looking west
- Long, straight east–west streets with a clear view west work best: Queen Street, King Street, Dundas and Bloor. Stand at a high point or a wide intersection so traffic and streetcars don’t block the view.
- Sunrise: looking east
- For the April and August sunrises, look east down the same streets. The sun needs to clear the buildings at the far end, so it may appear a few minutes after the listed time.
- Mind the glare
- The low sun shines straight down the street into drivers’ eyes. Watch from the sidewalk, and drivers should take extra care around these dates.
Plan the exact direction with the sun direction calculator, and check the Toronto sunset forecast to see whether the sky will cooperate.
Torontohenge FAQ
When is Torontohenge?
Four times a year: sunsets around mid-February and late October, sunrises around mid-April and late August. The exact dates move by a day or so from year to year.
Why is Toronto’s henge in February and October rather than summer?
Manhattan’s grid points north of west, so its sunset alignment happens near the June solstice. Toronto’s east–west streets point south of west, which the setting sun reaches in the colder months instead.
How are these dates calculated?
Alpenglow computes them from the sun's position and the street bearing. Buildings and refraction can shift the best moment by a few minutes, and the effect is nearly as good a day either side.
What if it is cloudy?
The alignment happens whether you can see it or not, so the weather decides everything. A clear horizon toward the sun matters most: low cloud or haze along the horizon hides the sun before it reaches the street. Broken mid- or high-level cloud overhead can add colour. Alpenglow forecasts sunset and sunrise quality up to 7 days ahead, so check the forecast for the alignment day and the days either side, when the effect is nearly as good.
Other city alignments
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