New York City

Manhattanhenge Is Back This Weekend. Here's the Best Time to Catch the Spectacle

NBC Universal, Inc.

The year’s first chance to see Manhattanhenge has arrived, but anyone missing the spectacle will get another shot in July.

Get your cameras ready, Manhattanhenge is back.

Memorial Day weekend marks the return of the New York City spectacle when the setting sun aligns with the city's east and west numbered streets.

Storm Team 4 says Sunday night will be gorgeous and the perfect opportunity to catch the first night of the event. It's also only a "half" Manhattanhenge.

The full show arrives Monday evening around 8:20 p.m.

If you’re wondering what exactly Manhattanhenge is, it is a solar phenomenon that happens twice a year when the sun aligns perfectly with the midtown Manhattan street grid.

The infrequent event prompts New Yorkers to flood the streets to catch a glimpse and photograph the one-of-a-kind Big Apple sunset.

The best area to witness Manhattanhenge is along wide and clear cross streets in Manhattan, including:

  • 14th Street
  • 23rd Street
  • 34th Street
  • 42nd Street
  • 57th Street
@heather_in_nyc / Instagram
Phototakers try to capture the sun as it sinks below the clouds near Carnegie Hall on Tuesday night. (Credit: @Heather_in_NYC / Instagram)
@qwqw7575 / Instagram
Crowds gather in Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City in hopes of capturing Manhattanhenge on Tuesday. (Credit: @qwqw7575 / Instagram )
@Brunobrasileiro / Instagram
The sun can be seen sinking between buildings in midtown Manhattan from Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens. (Credit: @brunobrasileiro / Instagram )
Randy Gould / Instagram
Manhattanhenge begins to kink below the clouds on the Upper West Side. (Credit: Randy Gould / Instagram )
@ssssssaraaaaaa/Instagram
Cloudy skies make for a frustrating first day of Manhattanhenge (Credit: Sarah H / Instagram )
@nikki.lambs/Instagram
Even with the clouds, some still got shots of the cotton candy skies over the city. (Credit: Nikole Lambert / Instagram)
@maximuspinNYC / Instagram
Manhattanhenge may have been a bust this year for some photographers, but this one caught a beautiful shot of what he called "moonhenge" rising above 42nd Street. (Credit: @maximuspinNYC / Instagram)
Barry Bellovin
Day two of Manhattanhenge a little clearer. (Credit: Barry Bellovin / Instagram)
Daniel Naylord
Manhattanhenge from apartment rooftops. (Credit: Daniel Naylord / Instagram)
Chelsea Anderson
Sunset shines down the Manhattan streets on Wednesday. (Credit: Chelsea Anderson / Instagram)
Claire Smith
Fun in the sunset. (Credit: Claire Smith / Instagram)
Meecham Whitson Meriweather
Sunset through the trees. (Credit: Meecham Whitson Meriweather / Instagram)
JD Urban
Stunning shots captured by New Yorkers. (Credit: JD Urban / Instagram)
Gus Moreira
Colorful skies during Manhattanhenge. (Credit: Gus Moreira / Instagram)

Can't make this weekend's viewing? No worries, the next chance to catch Manhattanhenge will be July 11 and 12.

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