Shabbat times in London

What time does Shabbat start and end in London this week?

Shabbat starts in London with candle lighting at 16:19 on Friday 30 October, 18 minutes before sunset, and ends at 17:27 on Saturday 31 October.

When does Shabbat start earliest and latest in London?

Over the next twelve months, candle lighting in London is earliest at 15:33 on Friday 11 December and latest at 21:03 on Friday 25 June; Shabbat ends between 16:50 (12 December) and 22:37 (26 June).

How many minutes before sunset are Shabbat candles lit in London?

18 minutes, as most calendars for London. Shabbat begins at sunset at the latest, and the minutes are a margin: this Friday sunset is at 16:37, so candles are at 16:19.

Is London covered by a single eruv?

The London Beth Din’s eruv service lists separate eruvim, including North West London, South Hampstead and St Johns Wood. Use the map and weekly notifications for the particular eruv covering your route. eruv.co.uk

Can I light Shabbat candles earlier?

Yes. Many communities bring Shabbat in early, especially in summer. The earliest time is plag hamincha, an hour and a quarter (in seasonal hours) before sunset: 15:37 this Friday in London. Lighting normally marks acceptance of Shabbat; conditions and customs differ, so follow your community.

What if it is already after sunset?

Shabbat candles are never lit after sunset (16:37 this Friday in London). If you are late, do not light them, and ask your rabbi.

Why does Shabbat end so late in summer in London?

Far from the equator the summer sun sets late and slowly, so nightfall comes late: in London Shabbat ends as late as 22:37 (26 June). Many communities bring Shabbat in early in summer, from plag hamincha (see above).

When is the next Yom Tov in London?

Pesach: in London, candles on Wednesday 21 April at 19:48; the opening Yom Tov ends on Saturday 24 April at 21:08, then Chol Hamoed. On a second festival night candles are lit after nightfall from an existing flame, and before sunset when that evening is Friday.

When is the next fast in London?

Fast of 10 Tevet: in London it begins on Sunday 20 December at 06:11, at dawn, and ends at 16:42. These times follow your fast setting (dawn, 16.1° to nightfall, 7.083°), which you can change in Settings.

Why do calendars show slightly different times?

Customs differ (how many minutes before sunset, which nightfall), and each calendar computes sunset for its own point: for London this page uses 51.5085° N, 0.1257° W, at sea level. That can move a time by a minute or two. In London, the United Synagogue publishes its own calendar: Shabbat begins about 15 minutes before sunset and ends when the sun is about 8° below the horizon, so with this page’s default customs its times are a few minutes later on Friday and earlier on Saturday night. If your synagogue follows it, use its times.