Sunset & Sunrise Today in Chicago, Illinois
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Chicago: sunrise 7:03 AM, sunset 6:08 PM.
In Chicago, Illinois, the sun rises at 7:02 AM and sets at 6:10 PM today, Wednesday, October 14, 2026, for a total of 11h 08m of daylight. The sun reaches its high point above Chicago at 12:36 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 43 seconds. As autumn 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 5:33 PM to 6:28 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 6:28 PM to 6:38 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Chicago is at 6:08 PM and sunrise at 7:03 AM — about 2m 43s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Chicago drift across the whole year.
Autumn has arrived in Chicago, and the days are drawing in. 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 | 7:02 AM | 6:10 PM | 11h 08m |
| Bridgeport | 7:02 AM | 6:10 PM | 11h 08m |
| Lower West Side | 7:02 AM | 6:10 PM | 11h 08m |
| Chicago Loop | 7:02 AM | 6:10 PM | 11h 08m |
| New City | 7:02 AM | 6:10 PM | 11h 08m |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Oct 14 | 7:02 AM | 6:10 PM | 11h 08m | — |
| Thu Oct 15 | 7:03 AM | 6:08 PM | 11h 05m | −2m 43s |
| Fri Oct 16 | 7:04 AM | 6:07 PM | 11h 02m | −2m 43s |
| Sat Oct 17 | 7:05 AM | 6:05 PM | 11h 00m | −2m 41s |
| Sun Oct 18 | 7:06 AM | 6:04 PM | 10h 57m | −2m 42s |
| Mon Oct 19 | 7:07 AM | 6:02 PM | 10h 54m | −2m 40s |
| Tue Oct 20 | 7:09 AM | 6:01 PM | 10h 52m | −2m 40s |
| Wed Oct 21 | 7:10 AM | 5:59 PM | 10h 49m | −2m 40s |
| Thu Oct 22 | 7:11 AM | 5:58 PM | 10h 46m | −2m 38s |
| Fri Oct 23 | 7:12 AM | 5:56 PM | 10h 44m | −2m 38s |
| Sat Oct 24 | 7:13 AM | 5:55 PM | 10h 41m | −2m 37s |
| Sun Oct 25 | 7:14 AM | 5:53 PM | 10h 38m | −2m 37s |
| Mon Oct 26 | 7:16 AM | 5:52 PM | 10h 36m | −2m 35s |
| Tue Oct 27 | 7:17 AM | 5:50 PM | 10h 33m | −2m 34s |
Twilight times in Chicago today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 5:29 AM | 7:43 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 6:01 AM | 7:10 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:33 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 6:44 AM | 7:38 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 5:33 PM | 6:28 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 6:10 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 7:02 AM today, with 11h 08m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Chicago tomorrow?
Sunrise in Chicago tomorrow is at 7:03 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 6:08 PM.
What time is sunset in Chicago tomorrow?
Sunset in Chicago tomorrow is at 6:08 PM.
How long is the day in Chicago today?
Chicago gets 11h 08m of daylight today, between sunrise at 7:02 AM and sunset at 6:10 PM.
When is golden hour in Chicago?
The evening golden hour in Chicago is about 5:33 PM to 6:28 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Chicago?
The evening blue hour in Chicago runs from about 6:28 PM to 6:38 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Chicago?
After sunset at 6:10 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Chicago at around 6:38 PM today.
When is solar noon in Chicago?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Chicago — is at 12:36 PM today.
Nearest cities to Chicago
- BridgeportIL
- Lower West SideIL
- Chicago LoopIL
- New CityIL
- New CityIL
- South LawndaleIL
- West TownIL
- Brighton ParkIL
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.