Sunset & Sunrise Today in Chicago, Illinois
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Chicago: sunrise 6:01 AM, sunset 7:47 PM.
In Chicago, Illinois, the sun rises at 6:00 AM and sets at 7:48 PM today, Sunday, August 16, 2026, for a total of 13h 48m of daylight. The sun reaches its high point above Chicago at 12:55 PM.
Sitting at 41.85° latitude puts Chicago in the mid-latitudes — daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 2 minutes shorter and 29 seconds. As summer progresses, sunrise and sunset in Chicago move a little each day rather than staying fixed.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for Chicago's golden hour, about 7:11 PM to 8:07 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:07 PM to 8:19 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Chicago is at 7:47 PM and sunrise at 6:01 AM — about 2m 31s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Chicago drift across the whole year.
It's summer in Chicago right now, when daylight is at its most generous. Over the course of the year, sunset in Chicago ranges from as early as 4:19 PM (around December 2) to as late as 8:29 PM (around June 22). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 15h 12m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 07m.
Moon in Chicago today
Sunset today: Chicago vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6:00 AM | 7:48 PM | 13h 48m |
| South Lawndale | 6:00 AM | 7:49 PM | 13h 48m |
| West Town | 6:00 AM | 7:48 PM | 13h 48m |
| Near North Side | 6:00 AM | 7:48 PM | 13h 48m |
| Lincoln Park | 6:00 AM | 7:48 PM | 13h 48m |
Chicago sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 15h 12m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 07m
- Latest sunset 8:29 PM (June 22)
- Earliest sunset 4:19 PM (December 2)
- Earliest sunrise 5:15 AM (June 8)
- Latest sunrise 7:22 AM (October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Chicago (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 6:53 AM | 7:02 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:15 AM | 8:28 PM | 15h 12m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:38 AM | 6:47 PM | 12h 09m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:15 AM | 4:22 PM | 9h 07m |
Chicago sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Aug 16 | 6:00 AM | 7:48 PM | 13h 48m | — |
| Mon Aug 17 | 6:01 AM | 7:47 PM | 13h 46m | −2m 31s |
| Tue Aug 18 | 6:02 AM | 7:45 PM | 13h 43m | −2m 31s |
| Wed Aug 19 | 6:03 AM | 7:44 PM | 13h 41m | −2m 32s |
| Thu Aug 20 | 6:04 AM | 7:42 PM | 13h 38m | −2m 33s |
| Fri Aug 21 | 6:05 AM | 7:41 PM | 13h 35m | −2m 34s |
| Sat Aug 22 | 6:06 AM | 7:39 PM | 13h 33m | −2m 35s |
| Sun Aug 23 | 6:07 AM | 7:38 PM | 13h 30m | −2m 36s |
| Mon Aug 24 | 6:08 AM | 7:36 PM | 13h 28m | −2m 36s |
| Tue Aug 25 | 6:09 AM | 7:35 PM | 13h 25m | −2m 37s |
| Wed Aug 26 | 6:10 AM | 7:33 PM | 13h 22m | −2m 38s |
| Thu Aug 27 | 6:11 AM | 7:31 PM | 13h 20m | −2m 39s |
| Fri Aug 28 | 6:12 AM | 7:30 PM | 13h 17m | −2m 39s |
| Sat Aug 29 | 6:13 AM | 7:28 PM | 13h 14m | −2m 40s |
Twilight times in Chicago today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 4:14 AM | 9:34 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 4:53 AM | 8:55 PM |
| Civil twilight | 5:29 AM | 8:19 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:41 AM | 6:37 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:11 PM | 8:07 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in Chicago by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:18 AM | 4:30 PM | 9h 11m |
| February | 7:03 AM | 5:05 PM | 10h 02m |
| March | 6:25 AM | 5:40 PM | 11h 15m |
| April | 6:33 AM | 7:15 PM | 12h 42m |
| May | 5:47 AM | 7:49 PM | 14h 02m |
| June | 5:18 AM | 8:19 PM | 15h 00m |
| July | 5:19 AM | 8:29 PM | 15h 09m |
| August | 5:44 AM | 8:08 PM | 14h 23m |
| September | 6:16 AM | 7:23 PM | 13h 06m |
| October | 6:47 AM | 6:31 PM | 11h 43m |
| November | 6:23 AM | 4:44 PM | 10h 21m |
| December | 6:58 AM | 4:20 PM | 9h 21m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Chicago
What time is sunset in Chicago today?
Sunset in Chicago, Illinois is at 7:48 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Chicago today?
Sunrise in Chicago is at 6:00 AM today, with 13h 48m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Chicago tomorrow?
Sunrise in Chicago tomorrow is at 6:01 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 7:47 PM.
What time is sunset in Chicago tomorrow?
Sunset in Chicago tomorrow is at 7:47 PM.
How long is the day in Chicago today?
Chicago gets 13h 48m of daylight today, between sunrise at 6:00 AM and sunset at 7:48 PM.
When is golden hour in Chicago?
The evening golden hour in Chicago is about 7:11 PM to 8:07 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Chicago?
The evening blue hour in Chicago runs from about 8:07 PM to 8:19 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Chicago?
After sunset at 7:48 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Chicago at around 8:19 PM today.
When is solar noon in Chicago?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Chicago — is at 12:55 PM today.
Nearest cities to Chicago
- South LawndaleIL
- West TownIL
- Near North SideIL
- Lincoln ParkIL
- CiceroIL
- Logan SquareIL
- Chicago LawnIL
- South ShoreIL
More cities in Illinois
Learn more about the sunset
- 🌇 What is golden hour?Golden hour is the warm, soft light just after sunrise and before sunset. Learn what it is, when it happens, how long it lasts, and how to use it.
- 🌆 What is blue hour?Discover what blue hour is, when it happens, how it differs from golden hour, and expert tips for photographing the soft blue twilight. Check exact blue.
- 🌌 Twilight explained: civil, nautical & astronomicalLearn the three phases of twilight—civil, nautical, astronomical—and what they mean for photographers, stargazers, and sunset lovers.
- 🌅 Why are sunsets red and orange?Discover the science behind red and orange sunsets, from Rayleigh scattering to air quality. Learn when and where to see the most vivid colors.
- 📸 The best time to photograph a sunsetDiscover the best time to photograph a sunset, from golden hour to blue hour. Learn exact timing, camera settings, and composition tips for stunning shots.
- ☀️ What is solar noon?Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point. Learn why it rarely matches 12:00 PM and how to find your exact solar noon.
- 📈 Why days get longer and shorter through the yearEarth's axial tilt drives seasonal day-length changes. Learn how solstices, equinoxes, and latitude affect daylight where you live.
- 🌞 The summer solstice explainedWhat causes the summer solstice, when it happens, and how it affects sunset times. Discover the science and beauty of the year's longest day.