evenings

Evening is the part of the day between late afternoon and night, generally occurring after sunset and before nightfall. The precise timing varies with geographic location and season, since it is tied to when the sun falls below the horizon. In temperate zones, evenings commonly span roughly from sunset to around the onset of darkness, typically around 6 to 9 pm, while in higher latitudes the window can be longer in summer and shorter in winter.

The word evening derives from Old English æfen, related to eventide, and is cognate with terms in other Germanic languages. In English and many other languages, evening is used to describe the period around sunset and to distinguish it from both daytime and nighttime.

Evenings are often a time for winding down work, commuting, meals, and leisure activities. Common routines include dinner, social gatherings, entertainment, and media consumption. In various cultures, evening time may also involve religious observance, family routines, or specific seasonal traditions. Commercial activity and service hours frequently extend into the early evening.

Astronomical and seasonal considerations: in astronomy, the evening includes civil twilight (sun 0 to 6 degrees below the horizon), nautical twilight (6 to 12 degrees), and astronomical twilight (12 to 18 degrees) before night is fully established. The length and character of the evening depend on latitude and season, with longer evenings near the summer solstice at higher latitudes and shorter ones near the winter solstice.

Regional variations: in the Northern Hemisphere, evenings are typically longer in spring and summer and shorter in autumn and winter, with different cultural norms for meal times and activities by evening; the Southern Hemisphere exhibits the opposite seasonal pattern.