Sunrise & Sunset Today in Chicago, United States 🇺🇸

Is the Day Getting Longer or Shorter in Chicago?

Days in Chicago are currently getting longer by about 16s each day, roughly 2 minutes more daylight per week.

Golden Hour & Blue Hour in Chicago Today

Chicago's Longest and Shortest Days

Understanding Twilight & the Golden Hour

After the sun drops below the horizon, the sky does not turn dark all at once. Civil twilight is the brightest stage, when there is still enough natural light for most outdoor activities. Nautical twilight follows, when the sea horizon becomes hard to make out. Astronomical twilight is the darkest stage, after which the sky is fully dark and the faintest stars appear. The same three stages occur in reverse before sunrise, as dawn.

The golden hour is the short period just after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun sits low in the sky and the light turns warm and soft, a favourite of photographers. The blue hour is the cooler, bluish light during twilight, just before sunrise or after sunset. Both shift throughout the year as the sun's path across the sky changes with the seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sun in Chicago