Rapid City Sunrise & Sunset in December 2026

CST43.0750°N, 103.2020°W

Northern Hemisphere • mid-latitude latitude band

Last updated: February 23, 2026

This page shows daily sunrise and sunset times for Rapid City, South Dakota throughout December 2026, displayed in local time. You can view how sunrise and sunset times change day by day across the entire month. December marks the shortest days of winter. Both morning and evening golden hours in December offer distinct advantages. Morning light tends to be crisp and clear, while evening light often carries warmer tones, making each period valuable for different types of photography and activities. Residents of Rapid City use December's sun time data for everyday planning. Morning commuters check sunrise times, while evening joggers and cyclists rely on sunset times to plan safe routes before darkness falls. The precise timing of sunrise and sunset in Rapid City during December depends on the city's specific coordinates and the Earth's position. Our calculations account for these factors to provide accurate, location-specific data. The daily variations in sun times during December may seem minor, but they reflect the Earth's continuous motion around the sun. These changes affect everything from energy consumption to mood and daily routines. Understanding these patterns helps residents and visitors make the most of each day's available daylight.

December is part of winter in the Northern Hemisphere for Rapid City. Expect shorter days and later sunrises, especially noticeable at 43.1° latitude, with daylight expanding slowly as the month progresses.

December daylight summary

  • Sunrise shifts 21m later from the start to the end of the month.
  • Sunset shifts 6m later from the start to the end of the month.
  • Total daylight changes by 14m shorter by month end.

Key December Statistics

  • Earliest sunrise: December 1 at 8:04 AM
  • Latest sunrise: December 31 at 8:25 AM
  • Earliest sunset: December 1 at 5:21 PM
  • Latest sunset: December 31 at 5:27 PM
  • Day length change: -1h 14m from start to end of month

December averages

  • Average sunrise: 8:17 AM
  • Average sunset: 5:21 PM
  • Average day length: 9h 4m

Monthly Sun Trend Charts

Sunrise Trend
Sunset Trend
Day Length Trend

Daily Sun Times for December 2026

DateSunriseSunsetDay LengthMorning Golden HourEvening Golden Hour
Dec 18:04 AM5:21 PM9h 16m8:04 AM - 8:49 AM4:36 PM - 5:21 PM
Dec 28:06 AM5:20 PM9h 15m8:06 AM - 8:50 AM4:35 PM - 5:20 PM
Dec 38:07 AM5:20 PM9h 13m8:07 AM - 8:52 AM4:35 PM - 5:20 PM
Dec 48:08 AM5:20 PM9h 12m8:08 AM - 8:53 AM4:34 PM - 5:20 PM
Dec 58:09 AM5:19 PM9h 11m8:09 AM - 8:54 AM4:34 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 68:10 AM5:19 PM9h 9m8:10 AM - 8:55 AM4:34 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 78:11 AM5:19 PM9h 8m8:11 AM - 8:56 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 88:12 AM5:19 PM9h 7m8:12 AM - 8:57 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 98:13 AM5:19 PM9h 6m8:13 AM - 8:58 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 108:13 AM5:19 PM9h 5m8:13 AM - 8:59 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 118:14 AM5:19 PM9h 4m8:14 AM - 9:00 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 128:15 AM5:19 PM9h 4m8:15 AM - 9:01 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 138:16 AM5:19 PM9h 3m8:16 AM - 9:02 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 148:17 AM5:19 PM9h 2m8:17 AM - 9:03 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 158:18 AM5:19 PM9h 2m8:18 AM - 9:04 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 168:18 AM5:19 PM9h 1m8:18 AM - 9:04 AM4:33 PM - 5:19 PM
Dec 178:19 AM5:20 PM9h 1m8:19 AM - 9:05 AM4:33 PM - 5:20 PM
Dec 188:20 AM5:20 PM9h 0m8:20 AM - 9:06 AM4:34 PM - 5:20 PM
Dec 198:20 AM5:20 PM9h 0m8:20 AM - 9:07 AM4:34 PM - 5:20 PM
Dec 208:21 AM5:21 PM9h 0m8:21 AM - 9:07 AM4:34 PM - 5:21 PM
Dec 218:21 AM5:21 PM9h 0m8:21 AM - 9:08 AM4:35 PM - 5:21 PM
Dec 228:22 AM5:21 PM9h 0m8:22 AM - 9:08 AM4:35 PM - 5:21 PM
Dec 238:22 AM5:22 PM9h 0m8:22 AM - 9:09 AM4:36 PM - 5:22 PM
Dec 248:23 AM5:22 PM9h 0m8:23 AM - 9:09 AM4:36 PM - 5:22 PM
Dec 258:23 AM5:23 PM9h 0m8:23 AM - 9:10 AM4:37 PM - 5:23 PM
Dec 268:24 AM5:24 PM9h 0m8:24 AM - 9:10 AM4:37 PM - 5:24 PM
Dec 278:24 AM5:24 PM9h 0m8:24 AM - 9:10 AM4:38 PM - 5:24 PM
Dec 288:24 AM5:25 PM9h 1m8:24 AM - 9:11 AM4:39 PM - 5:25 PM
Dec 298:25 AM5:26 PM9h 1m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:39 PM - 5:26 PM
Dec 308:25 AM5:26 PM9h 2m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:40 PM - 5:26 PM
Dec 318:25 AM5:27 PM9h 2m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:41 PM - 5:27 PM

Last updated: February 23, 2026

About sunrise and sunset in Rapid City in December

Sunrise and sunset times shift slightly each day through December as we move closer to the solstice. The times shown are in local time for Rapid City, South Dakota, and are calculated based on the city's exact geographic coordinates.

You can come back daily to see updated values. This page shows you not just sunrise and sunset times, but also golden hour periods (ideal for photography), dawn and dusk times (civil twilight), and day length for every day of the month. All times are displayed in local time and update automatically based on the current date.

Whether you're planning outdoor activities, photography sessions, or simply want to know when daylight begins and ends, this calendar helps you make the most of each day in December.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is sunrise in Rapid City, South Dakota in December?

Today, the sun rises in Rapid City, South Dakota at 7:40 AM local time. Sunrise shifts slightly each day throughout December, so check this page for the latest times.

What time is sunset in Rapid City, South Dakota in December?

Today, the sun sets in Rapid City, South Dakota at 6:35 PM local time. Sunset shifts slightly each day throughout December, so check this page for the latest times.

How long is the day in Rapid City, South Dakota in December?

Today's daylight in Rapid City, South Dakota lasts about 10h 55m. As we move through December, day length changes gradually, and this page updates daily with new values.

What is golden hour in Rapid City, South Dakota?

Golden hour in Rapid City, South Dakota refers to the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, creating warm, soft lighting ideal for photography. These periods occur twice daily and shift gradually throughout the month. For more information about planning photos during golden hour, see our guide on golden hour photography.

How often are these sunrise and sunset times updated?

Sunrise and sunset times are updated daily and are based on reliable astronomical calculations. The times account for your location's exact geographic coordinates, timezone, and the Earth's position in its orbit. You can check back each day to see the latest values.

How People Use This Information

People use sunrise and sunset times for planning outdoor activities, photography, travel, prayer times, fitness routines, gardening, and understanding seasonal daylight changes. SunTimesToday is designed as a quick, location-specific reference that updates daily to reflect accurate astronomical calculations.

Data Source & Accuracy

Sunrise, sunset, daylight length, and twilight times on SunTimesToday are calculated using standard astronomical algorithms based on your selected location and date. Data is updated daily to reflect seasonal and yearly changes. While times are accurate for most practical uses, small variations may occur due to atmospheric conditions and local geography.