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The Sunshine Act

Updated: Aug 5, 2025



Brighter Days Ahead? How Permanent Daylight Saving Time Could Reshape Outdoor Attractions & Festivals

With discussions heating up in Congress about making daylight saving time (DST) permanent, businesses tied to outdoor attractions, festivals, and winter events need to prepare for a fundamental shift in visitor behavior. Longer daylight hours in the evening could bring both challenges and opportunities for AMG clients—from holiday light shows to agritourism destinations and ski resorts.

In this blog, we explore how permanent DST could impact AMG clients and provide actionable steps to help attractions pivot and thrive.



Understanding Permanent Daylight Saving Time

If permanent DST becomes law, clocks would "spring forward" an hour and stay that way year-round. This means: ✅ More daylight in the evening — great for outdoor recreation ❌ Later “dark hours” - squeezing holiday and winter light shows ❌ Darker mornings in winter — affecting early risers and some operational schedules

While intended to improve public health and energy savings, the real impact will depend on your business model.



How Permanent DST Will Change Visitor Behavior

Longer daylight hours will shift consumer patterns, affecting when families, travelers, and locals seek entertainment. Here’s how:


1. Evening Becomes the New Prime Time

  • Visitors may delay their plans, opting for later start times at attractions.

  • Shopping, dining, and entertainment could see a later peak.

  • Festivals and fairs may see increased late-night traffic, boosting food and beverage sales.


2. Morning Lulls Could Impact Traditional Schedules

  • School and work schedules may adjust, pushing back morning demand.

  • Venues that rely on early visitors may need to adjust hours or introduce promotions to maintain traffic.


3. Weekends Could See Extended Activity

  • Families may take advantage of extra daylight to engage in more outdoor activities.

  • Demand for evening events could surge as longer daylight hours make them more appealing.



Potential Challenges for Nighttime Attractions

For venues that rely on darkness—such as light festivals, and immersive night experiences—permanent DST could bring new obstacles.


1. Less Darkness for Nighttime Events

  • Problem: Attractions that depend on early sunset (e.g., holiday light shows) will have to start later, potentially reducing visitor flow.

  • Example: A Christmas light festival that typically starts at 5 p.m. may need to wait until 6:30 p.m. for the full effect.


2. Ticketing & Revenue Adjustments

  • Problem: Shorter dark hours may require changes to ticket pricing or experience length.

  • Example: Winter Festivals that run in December/January may need to limit the number of guests per night due to later start times.


3. Staffing & Operational Costs

  • Problem: Later start times may require staff to work extended hours, increasing labor costs.

  • Solution: Attractions may need to adjust shift structures or introduce staggered schedules.



Opportunities for Outdoor Attractions & Festivals

On the flip side, venues that thrive in daylight could see significant benefits.


1. Extended Hours for Outdoor Attractions

  • Opportunity: Longer daylight means more revenue potential for agritourism, adventure parks, and pick-your-own farms.

  • Example: A seasonal event or outdoor experience could extend its hours into the evening, capturing additional traffic from working families.


2. Boost for Winter Events & Ski Resorts

  • Opportunity: Longer daylight hours improve visibility and safety for winter sports and festivals.

  • Example: Ski resorts could offer extended lift hours, making evening skiing more attractive.


3. More Time for Festivals & Fairs

  • Opportunity: Summer fairs, and outdoor concerts will benefit from longer, well-lit days.

  • Example: A summer music festival could schedule more acts during peak daylight hours, increasing attendance.



Steps AMG Clients Should Take to Adapt


1. Audit Your Business Model

  • Review how your current operating hours align with expected daylight shifts.

  • Identify events that may need scheduling adjustments.


2. Adjust Event Timings & Programming

  • Nighttime attractions should consider more immersive, condensed experiences.

  • Outdoor venues should explore "sunset specials" or late-afternoon discounts.


3. Enhance Lighting & Safety Measures

  • Install additional lighting for morning visitors affected by darkness.

  • Explore energy-efficient lighting solutions to reduce costs.


4. Expand Seasonal Offerings

  • Winter attractions could introduce daylight-focused experiences.

  • Summer destinations could introduce "twilight tickets" to maximize late-evening attendance.


5. Experiment with Dynamic Pricing

  • Offer premium evening slots for nighttime attractions.

  • Introduce discount incentives for early visitors.


6. Optimize Marketing & Ticketing Strategies

  • Encourage early bookings for limited nighttime slots.

  • Use FOMO-driven messaging to create urgency for nighttime experiences.


7. Collaborate with Complementary Businesses

  • Bundle attractions together (e.g., a ski resort partnering with a nearby brewery for après-ski events).

  • Nighttime venues could offer early-bird packages with daytime attractions.



Harnessing Data to Make Smarter Decisions

AMG’s Event A.I. and location analytics can help businesses: ✔ Identify visitor demand shifts✔ Optimize marketing to reach peak-time audiences✔ Adjust pricing dynamically to maximize revenue

By analyzing real-time visitor behavior, AMG clients can make data-driven decisions that keep them ahead of the curve.



Final Thoughts: Be Ready to Pivot

While permanent daylight saving time presents challenges for some, it’s also a massive opportunity for others. The key to thriving in this potential new reality is proactive planning, flexible operations, and data-driven strategy.

🔹 Need help navigating these changes? AMG is here to support your business through customized marketing strategies, operational pivots, and revenue optimization. Contact us today and let’s build a plan for success—no matter what time it is! 🚀






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