Twice a year, a big chunk of the world moves its clocks, and twice a year we all spend a week getting the oven clock wrong. October is a big month for it. Half the planet is about to get long, light evenings back, while the other half is about to lose them. Either way, it changes when you can catch the sun at the pub.
Here’s what’s changing, when, and how to make the most of it wherever you are.
When do the clocks change?
- Australia: Daylight saving starts at 2am on Sunday 4 October 2026, when clocks go forward one hour in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory don’t change their clocks.
- New Zealand: Clocks went forward on Sunday 27 September 2026.
- UK, Ireland and most of Europe: Clocks go back one hour on Sunday 25 October 2026, as British Summer Time comes to an end.
- USA and Canada: Clocks go back one hour on Sunday 1 November 2026.
Why it matters for after-work drinks
Daylight saving doesn’t give anyone more sunshine. It just moves an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. But most of us spend our mornings getting ready and commuting, and our evenings free, so that hour lands exactly where it’s most useful (or disappears from exactly where we’ll miss it).
Here’s what this weekend’s change does to sunset in Australia:
| City | Sunset on Sat 3 Oct | Sunset on Sun 4 Oct | Sunset on 21 Dec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 5:58pm | 6:58pm | 8:05pm |
| Melbourne | 6:25pm | 7:25pm | 8:41pm |
| Adelaide | 6:19pm | 7:19pm | 8:28pm |
| Hobart | 6:18pm | 7:19pm | 8:49pm |
| Brisbane | 5:48pm | 5:48pm | 6:42pm |
And here’s what happens in the UK and Ireland three weeks later:
| City | Sunset on Sat 24 Oct | Sunset on Sun 25 Oct | Sunset on 21 Dec |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 5:50pm | 4:48pm | 3:53pm |
| Manchester | 5:54pm | 4:52pm | 3:51pm |
| Edinburgh | 5:52pm | 4:49pm | 3:39pm |
| Dublin | 6:10pm | 5:08pm | 4:08pm |
Times are approximate and calculated using NOAA’s solar equations. Sunsets behind hills or buildings come earlier.
Southern hemisphere: the long evenings are back
If you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart or Canberra, this is the good news. From this weekend, there’s time to finish work, get to the pub and still have a couple of hours of sunshine.
- Make it a habit. With sunset around 7pm now and after 8pm by December, a weeknight drink in the sun is back on the table. Don’t wait for Friday.
- Look west. Evening sun comes from the west, so west-facing terraces, rooftops and waterfront venues with a clear view to the west keep the sun the longest.
- Watch the shadows. As the sun drops, buildings cast long shadows, and a beer garden that was in full sun at lunchtime can be in shade by 5pm. Sunny shows you which pubs and beer gardens are in the sun right now, so you can check before you head out.
- Don’t be fooled by a mild day. Spring UV levels in Australia can be high even when it doesn’t feel hot. The Cancer Council recommends sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above, so pack sunscreen and a hat.
- Go easy on Sunday. You lose an hour of sleep on Saturday night. A long, sunny lunch might be a better plan than a late one.
Northern hemisphere: catch it while you can
In the UK, Ireland and Europe, the after-work drink in the sun is about to become a weekend activity. Once the clocks go back, London’s sunset falls before 5pm, so the sunny window moves to the middle of the day.
- Shift your timing. Weekend lunch is the new golden hour. Aim to be sitting down by early afternoon.
- Find south-facing spots. At midday on 25 October, the sun is only about 27 degrees above the horizon in London, so a three-storey building casts a shadow roughly twice its own height. South-facing gardens and terraces with open space in front of them are your best bet. We’ve written a whole guide on which beer gardens get the most sun.
- Make the most of the last few weeks. Between now and 25 October, there’s still a little evening sun after work. Use it.
- Bring a layer. Low autumn sun can feel surprisingly warm on your face, even when the air is cool. A jacket means you can stay out longer.
The bottom line
Whichever way your clocks are going, the sun is still out there. It just keeps different hours. Wherever you are, Sunny shows you pubs and beer gardens in the sun right now. It’s free, it works worldwide, and no venue can pay to be on it.
Header photo by Addison Lin on Unsplash, taken from a rooftop terrace in Seattle.