Drone view of a snow covered southeast Wisconsin after snowstorm
Check out a view from a drone of a snow covered southeast Wisconsin after a snowstorm Nov. 29-30, 2025, that left several inches of snow across the area.
The shortest day of the year is less than two weeks away, but many Wisconsinites are likely already looking forward to the return of daylight saving time — which will bring longer days and later sunsets.
As of Dec. 8, the sun is setting around 4:18 p.m. in Milwaukee, timeanddate.com shows. While daylight hours are gradually increasing, there’s still a bit of time before Milwaukee will see another 5 p.m. sunset.
Here’s what to know as we approach the winter solstice:
When will the sun start setting after 5 p.m. in Milwaukee?
In 2026, the first sunset after 5 p.m. in Milwaukee will be on Jan. 29, according to timeanddate.com. On this day, the sun will rise at 7:09 a.m. and set at 5 p.m. — giving the Cream City nine hours and 51 minutes of daylight.
When does daylight savings time begin in 2026?
Daylight saving time begins March 8, 2026 between 2 and 3 a.m.
When will the days get longer in Milwaukee again this winter?
Here’s an overview of when Milwaukee will start seeing longer days, according to data from timeanddate.com:
DateHours of daylightSunriseSunsetJan. 1, 20269 hours, 4 minutes7:23 a.m.4:27p.m.Jan. 15, 20269 hours, 22 minutes7:20 a.m.4:42 p.m.Feb. 1, 20269 hours, 57 minutes7:06 a.m.5:04 p.m.Feb. 15, 202610 hours, 34 minutes6:49 a.m.5:23 p.m.March 1, 202611 hours, 13 minutes6:27 a.m.5:41 p.m.March 15, 202611 hours, 54 minutes7:03 a.m.6:58 p.m.April 1, 202612 hours, 44 minutes6:33 a.m.7:18 p.m.April 15, 202613 hours, 24 minutes6:09 a.m.7:34 p.m.
When is Milwaukee’s shortest day of the year?
Milwaukee’s shortest day of the year is the winter solstice, which will be on Dec. 21.
This year, Milwaukee will receive just nine hours of daylight — thanks to a 7:19 a.m. sunrise and a 4:19 p.m. sunset, according to timeanddate.com.
What is the winter solstice?
The solstice, which always falls on Dec. 21 or Dec. 22, is called the shortest day of the year because it has the fewest hours of daylight, according to the The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
It’s also known as the first day of astronomical winter.
When is Milwaukee’s longest day of the year?
On the other hand, Milwaukee’s longest day of the year is the summer solstice, which will fall on June 21, 2026.
