On four nights each year, sky-watchers flock to the streets of Midtown Manhattan to experience one of the nation’s best-known urban astronomical events: Manhattanhenge.
During this phenomenon—named in honor of England’s famous Stonehenge—the sunset aligns perfectly with the city’s east-west grid, sending a blaze of sunlight down the streets and casting the city in a dramatic glow. The first Manhattanhenge of 2025 begins just before sunset on May 28 and occurs again around the same time on May 29. Two more golden-hour alignments follow in July.
The Big Apple isn’t the only destination to enjoy this urban astronomy delight, either. Cities around the world have their own solar skyline alignments. Here are a few of the best urban henges in North America.
Why Urban Henges Happen
So, what is a henge, anyway? The word “henge” traditionally refers to a ring-shaped earthwork construction. Ancient peoples in the UK and elsewhere likely built these circular mounds and ditches for ceremonial purposes. Stonehenge is of particular interest to astronomers because the stones line up perfectly with the sun during the winter and summer solstices. Scholars believe Stonehenge may have been used as a calendar in the New Stone Age.
Urban sky-gazers take a contemporary spin on this Neolithic astronomy concept by pinpointing days when the sun seems to rise or set between a canyon of skyscrapers. This phenomenon is possible in cities with an east-west street grid, as the sun rises in the former and sets in the latter.
These cities experience the “henge” effect on the spring and fall equinoxes—the only days when the sun rises due east and sets due west. (The rest of the year, it tends to rise and set north or south of that east-west axis, since the earth spins on a tilted axis). Many cities are constructed with a slightly offset grid, so the exact henge timing varies by location. Manhattanhenge, for example, happens in May and July because Midtown’s streets were built roughly 30 degrees off from geographic north.
Ready to catch a henge near you? Here are 10 city henges on the horizon for 2025, including when and where to see each one.
Manhattanhenge
Manhattanhenge, a term first coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, draws urban astronomers each May and July. You can witness the spectacle from several of Manhattan’s thoroughfares. If you’re watching from street-level, you’ll need an unobstructed line of sight from your viewpoint to the eastern or western horizon. The view will be more dramatic when the sun is framed by tall skyscrapers, so it’s best to watch from a location that offers horizon views through a long tunnel of buildings.
Head to your observation spot at least 30 minutes before sunset. This will give you adequate time to find the perfect viewing location and watch the sun glide between the skyscrapers. As with any urban adventure, remember to keep an eye on traffic and only watch the spectacle from a safe, pedestrian-friendly spot like a park or sidewalk—not from the middle of the road.
Where: Midtown Manhattan
2025 Dates: Sunset on May 28–29, July 11–12
Best viewpoints: 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th streets
Baltimorehenge
See Baltimore’s take on the urban henge phenomenon a few weeks before the spring equinox, and then again in late September after the autumn equinox.
Where: Business District, Baltimore
2025 Dates: Sunset on Sept. 28–29
Best viewpoints: Lombard and Baltimore streets (West of Calvert streets)
Phillyhenge
Philadelphia’s henge—better known as Phillyhenge—hits around early April and early September, marking the coming of spring and the end of summer.
Where: Center City, Philadelphia
2025 Dates: Sunset on Sept. 4–6
Best viewpoints: Market and Chestnut streets, John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Chicagohenge
The Windy City enjoys its henge right around the spring and fall equinoxes. When scouting your viewpoint, make sure you’re west of Wabash Avenue, as the elevated L line stations will slightly obstruct it.
Where: The Loop, Chicago
2025 Dates: Sunset on Sept. 24-26
Best viewing locations: Adams, Monroe, Madison, Washington, Monroe Streets
Bostonhenge
Bostonhenge is best admired in Back Bay, typically in February and late October or early November. Viewing options can be limited due to the area’s abundance of trees, so it’s best to scout your location in advance.
Where: Back Bay, Boston
2025 Dates: Sunset on Nov. 2-3
Best viewing locations: Boylston Street from the Public Garden
Scrippshenge
While it’s not technically in a city, Scrippshenge is a buzzed-about sight among San Diego astronomers and photographers. Twice per year, the sun aligns with the beams of UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. The perfectly framed sunset happens in early May and then again in August.
Where: Scripps Pier in La Jolla, San Diego
2025 Dates: Sunset on Aug. 9-10
Best viewing locations: La Jolla Shores beach, just beneath the pier
Edmontonhenge
With Edmonton’s precise east-west avenue arrangement, you can catch a solar alignment right around the spring and fall equinoxes. Try looking west from downtown’s Jasper Avenue for a prime view.
Where: Downtown Edmonton, Canada
2025 Dates: Sunset on Sept. 23
Best viewing locations: Jasper Avenue
Californiahenge
Snag a hilltop perch for San Francisco’s henge—nicknamed Californiahenge—during sunrise for roughly two days each spring and fall.
Where: Nob Hill, San Francisco
2025 Dates: Sunrise on Sept. 4-5
Best viewing locations: California and Sacramento streets at Huntington Park
Montrealhenge
With Montreal’s offset grid, henge sightings occur within a few weeks of the summer and winter solstices. This year’s display is particularly exciting, as the tail end of it aligns with the city’s MURAL Festival on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, one of the city’s oldest streets. The buildings on this street aren’t as towering as those in the heart of downtown, but visitors can still enjoy a more subtle—and colorful—glimpse of Montrealhenge from the free festival, which runs from June 5-15.
Where: Downtown Montreal, Canada
2025 Dates: Sunset from June 3-6
Best viewing locations: Boulevard Robert-Bourassa and Rue de Bleury in downtown, or Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Torontohenge
Toronto sees the solar henge effect with both sunrise and sunset, giving the city at least four ideal chances to view it. While the spectacle peaks during the dates below, local experts say you can snag a great view for roughly a week ahead of time, too.
Where: Old Toronto, Canada
2025 Dates: Sunrise Aug. 22-23, Sunset Oct. 25-26
Best viewing locations: Richmond and Adelaide streets