We Made It: Sunsets After 7pm Are Back
Mark it in the calendar: as of March 8th, the sunset in Ottawa is clocking in at 6:59pm, and from here on out, the days are only getting longer. The sun won't set before 7pm again until October, which means we have officially crossed a threshold that every Ottawan who has survived a long winter can appreciate.
It sounds like a small thing. It isn't.
Why This Moment Matters
Anyone who has spent a full winter in Ottawa knows that the early darkness hits harder than the cold. When it's pitch black by 4:30pm, the workday feels longer, the evenings feel shorter, and the city can feel a little grey. But once those sunsets start creeping past dinnertime, something shifts. Evening walks become possible. Patios get used. The city looks completely different bathed in that golden late-afternoon light.
Daylight saving time kicked in on March 8th as well, adding an extra hour of evening light. And while losing an hour of sleep is never fun, the trade-off is worth it.
What to Do With All That Light
Now that the evenings are yours again, here are a few ways to make the most of the extra daylight:
- Hit the NCC pathways: The river trails and Gatineau Park paths are spectacular in the spring evening light.
- Claim a patio: Ottawa's restaurant and bar patios will start opening up as temperatures climb.
- Explore the Market at golden hour: ByWard Market is a different place entirely when the evening light is warm and golden.
- Head to Westboro or the Glebe: Both neighbourhoods are ideal for evening strolls as the weather warms.
Summer is coming. And in Ottawa, that's worth celebrating.
Source: @ottawalist on Instagram
