Sunrise and Sunset in Chicago Today
In Chicago, United States, the sun rises today on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 06:27 and sets at 16:39. The day length is 10h 12m. Solar noon is reached at 11:34.
Chicago: sun and clock
Today the sun is highest in Chicago at 11:34 – 26 min before 12:00 on the clock.
The earliest sunrise of the year is on June 14 at 05:14, the latest on October 31 at 07:21.
The sun sets earliest on December 8 at 16:19 and latest on June 27 at 20:29.
The longest day of the year has 6 h 6 min more daylight than the shortest.
Chicago through the year
Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 15th of every month – and the direction in which the sun sets.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day | Direction | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:15 | 16:44 | 9 h 29 min | west-southwest 242° | 136 h |
| Feb | 06:46 | 17:23 | 10 h 38 min | west-southwest 254° | 136 h |
| Mar | 07:02 | 18:57 | 11 h 55 min | west 268° | 187 h |
| Apr | 06:10 | 19:31 | 13 h 22 min | west-northwest 284° | 215 h |
| May | 05:30 | 20:04 | 14 h 34 min | west-northwest 297° | 282 h |
| Jun | 05:14 | 20:27 | 15 h 13 min | west-northwest 303° | 311 h |
| Jul | 05:28 | 20:23 | 14 h 55 min | west-northwest 300° | 318 h |
| Aug | 05:58 | 19:50 | 13 h 52 min | west-northwest 289° | 283 h |
| Sep | 06:30 | 18:59 | 12 h 29 min | west 274° | 227 h |
| Oct | 07:02 | 18:08 | 11 h 6 min | west 259° | 193 h |
| Nov | 06:40 | 16:29 | 9 h 49 min | west-southwest 245° | 113 h |
| Dec | 07:11 | 16:20 | 9 h 9 min | west-southwest 239° | 106 h |
Direction of sunset: west-northwest (303°) in June, west-southwest (239°) in December.
Over the year the point where the sun sets moves 64° along the horizon.
Sunniest month: July with 318 hours of sunshine, dullest: December with 106 – 2,507 hours a year.
Times for the 15th of each month, computed with the NOAA method. Sunshine: station Chicago/O'Hare, IL, mean 1961–1990 (NOAA).
Golden Hour in Chicago
Morning: 06:09–07:08 · Evening: 15:59–16:57
The Golden Hour, also known as 'Magic Hour', is the most popular time for photographers and filmmakers. In Chicago, the morning golden hour takes place today from 06:09 to 07:08. The evening golden hour extends from 15:59 to 16:57. During these times, warm, soft sunlight bathes the city in magical light.
Blue Hour in Chicago
Morning: 05:58–06:09 · Evening: 16:57–17:08
The Blue Hour in Chicago offers a unique, bluish-colored light in the sky. The morning blue hour takes place today from 05:58 to 06:09, just before sunrise. The evening blue hour extends from 16:57 to 17:08, right after sunset. This time is ideal for atmospheric cityscapes and landscape photography.
About Chicago
Chicago is located at a latitude of 41.88° and a longitude of -87.63°. The city is in the America/Chicago timezone. Depending on the season, sunrise and sunset times in Chicago vary considerably – from short winter days to long summer days with twilight lasting late into the evening.
Seasons & Daylight in Chicago
In spring, days grow noticeably longer in Chicago. Sunrise moves earlier and sunset later, providing 12h 9m of daylight around the equinox. The golden and blue hours become particularly beautiful as the sun takes a lower arc across the sky.
Summer brings the longest days to Chicago, with up to 15h 14m of daylight around the solstice. The sun rises early and sets late, and twilight can linger well into the night at higher latitudes. Perfect for evening photography sessions.
Autumn in Chicago sees rapidly shortening days. The quality of light becomes warmer and more golden as the sun sits lower in the sky. With 12h 10m of daylight around the equinox, the golden hour stretches into a more extended period.
Winter in Chicago brings the shortest days with only 9h 8m of daylight near the solstice. However, the low sun angle creates dramatic long shadows and a warm, golden light throughout much of the day – a photographer's dream for moody atmospheric shots.
Cities near Chicago
On the same latitude as Chicago
These cities lie on almost the same latitude as Chicago (41.9° N): on every day of the year they get almost exactly as much daylight – 10h 12m today – only at other clock times and in a very different climate.
Explore More
Questions about the sun in Chicago
When does the sun rise in Chicago today?
Today the sun rises in Chicago at 06:27 and sets at 16:39.
How long is the day in Chicago today?
The day lasts 10h 12m today, from sunrise to sunset.
When is the golden hour in Chicago today?
In the morning from 06:09–07:08, in the evening from 15:59–16:57.
When is the longest day in Chicago?
The day is longest around the summer solstice with 15h 14m of daylight, shortest around the winter solstice with 9h 8m.
When does it get dark in Chicago today?
It is dark from 17:08, fully dark from 18:14.
Times are calculated using NOAA algorithms based on the geographic coordinates of Chicago. All times are in local time. How it is calculated