Connecticut Prepares for Daylight Saving Time in 2026

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Connecticut residents will lose an hour of sleep when daylight saving time begins on March 8, 2026. The change will shift sunset times in Hartford from 5:48 p.m. to 6:49 p.m., with the sun setting at 7 p.m. within 10 days. While the practice of adjusting clocks twice a year has faced some opposition in the state's history, it remains in effect for most of the country, despite efforts to eliminate it.

Why it matters

The biannual clock changes impact daily routines and sleep patterns for Connecticut residents. While the shift to daylight saving time extends evening daylight, it also means losing an hour of sleep, which can affect productivity and health. The history of daylight saving time in Connecticut also reflects the ongoing national debate over the practice.

The details

Most network-connected devices will adjust automatically to the one-hour time change, but other common devices like car clocks, microwaves, and watches may need to be manually adjusted. The practice of daylight saving time was initially adopted in the U.S. in 1918 to conserve resources during World War I, though it faced opposition in Connecticut. The state passed a law mandating standard time year-round in 1923, but this was later repealed in the 1930s.

• Daylight saving time will begin on March 8, 2026 at 2 a.m., when clocks will 'spring forward' to 3 a.m.
• Within 10 days of the time change, sunset times in Hartford will shift from 5:48 p.m. to 7 p.m.