Join Daylight Hour 2026, a global social media campaign created by the Building Energy Exchange (BE-Ex) that helps organizations rethink how they use energy by strategically utilizing electric lighting in daylit spaces.

On June 24, 2026, from 12–1 pm local time, offices around the world will turn off their lights for one hour and share their participation on social media. The simple act of switching off non-essential lighting allows organizations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability while joining a global effort to spark conversations about energy use in our buildings.

This year’s campaign is generously powered by Pearl Street Systems & Engineering and supported by Lutron.

June 18, 2026

At its core, Daylight Hour is a demonstration of what natural light can do. When offices reduce their reliance on electric lighting, even briefly, the results are tangible: lower energy consumption, reduced associated emissions, and a reminder of the value that strategic daylighting can bring year-round. And the case for daylighting goes beyond energy savings alone. Research has linked it to improved productivity, healthier circadian rhythms, and reduced eye strain, benefits that make it one of the most human-centered sustainability strategies available.

Daylight Hour started with a simple idea: on one day a year, turn off the lights and let the sun do the work. Since its inception in 2014, that idea has grown into a global movement, and the numbers speak for themselves. The Daylight Hour campaign has now saved over one million kilowatt-hours of energy, proof that small, collective actions can add up to something truly meaningful.

Global engagement is central to the campaign. Through the hashtag #DaylightHour, participants share photos and videos from their day-lit workspaces, creating an international conversation. Each year, participating offices compete in categories like Best View, Most Spirit, and Most Photogenic, while raising awareness of the energy, climate, health, and comfort benefits of daylighting.