Sunset & Sunrise Today in Chicago, Illinois
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Chicago: sunrise 6:14 AM, sunset 7:26 PM.
In Chicago, Illinois, the sun rises at 6:13 AM and sets at 7:28 PM today, Saturday, August 29, 2026, for a total of 13h 14m of daylight. The sun reaches its high point above Chicago at 12:51 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 40 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 6:52 PM to 7:46 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 7:46 PM to 7:57 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Chicago is at 7:26 PM and sunrise at 6:14 AM — about 2m 41s 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 | 6:13 AM | 7:28 PM | 13h 14m |
| South Lawndale | 6:13 AM | 7:28 PM | 13h 14m |
| West Town | 6:13 AM | 7:28 PM | 13h 15m |
| Brighton Park | 6:13 AM | 7:28 PM | 13h 14m |
| Near North Side | 6:13 AM | 7:28 PM | 13h 15m |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Aug 29 | 6:13 AM | 7:28 PM | 13h 14m | — |
| Sun Aug 30 | 6:14 AM | 7:26 PM | 13h 12m | −2m 41s |
| Mon Aug 31 | 6:15 AM | 7:25 PM | 13h 09m | −2m 41s |
| Tue Sep 1 | 6:16 AM | 7:23 PM | 13h 06m | −2m 41s |
| Wed Sep 2 | 6:17 AM | 7:21 PM | 13h 04m | −2m 42s |
| Thu Sep 3 | 6:18 AM | 7:20 PM | 13h 01m | −2m 43s |
| Fri Sep 4 | 6:19 AM | 7:18 PM | 12h 58m | −2m 43s |
| Sat Sep 5 | 6:20 AM | 7:16 PM | 12h 56m | −2m 43s |
| Sun Sep 6 | 6:21 AM | 7:15 PM | 12h 53m | −2m 44s |
| Mon Sep 7 | 6:22 AM | 7:13 PM | 12h 50m | −2m 44s |
| Tue Sep 8 | 6:23 AM | 7:11 PM | 12h 47m | −2m 44s |
| Wed Sep 9 | 6:24 AM | 7:10 PM | 12h 45m | −2m 45s |
| Thu Sep 10 | 6:25 AM | 7:08 PM | 12h 42m | −2m 45s |
| Fri Sep 11 | 6:27 AM | 7:06 PM | 12h 39m | −2m 46s |
Twilight times in Chicago today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 4:33 AM | 9:08 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 5:09 AM | 8:32 PM |
| Civil twilight | 5:44 AM | 7:57 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:55 AM | 6:49 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 6:52 PM | 7:46 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 7:28 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 6:13 AM today, with 13h 14m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Chicago tomorrow?
Sunrise in Chicago tomorrow is at 6:14 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 7:26 PM.
What time is sunset in Chicago tomorrow?
Sunset in Chicago tomorrow is at 7:26 PM.
How long is the day in Chicago today?
Chicago gets 13h 14m of daylight today, between sunrise at 6:13 AM and sunset at 7:28 PM.
When is golden hour in Chicago?
The evening golden hour in Chicago is about 6:52 PM to 7:46 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Chicago?
The evening blue hour in Chicago runs from about 7:46 PM to 7:57 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Chicago?
After sunset at 7:28 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Chicago at around 7:57 PM today.
When is solar noon in Chicago?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Chicago — is at 12:51 PM today.
Nearest cities to Chicago
- South LawndaleIL
- West TownIL
- Brighton ParkIL
- Near North SideIL
- Lincoln ParkIL
- CiceroIL
- Logan SquareIL
- Chicago LawnIL
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.