When is golden hour in Chicago today?

Evening golden hour in Chicago starts at 18:21 and ends at sunset, 18:58. Morning golden hour runs from sunrise, 06:31, until 07:08 local time (America/Chicago).

How long does golden hour last in Chicago?

Evening golden hour in Chicago runs from 18:21 to 18:58, and morning golden hour from 06:31 to 07:08.

When is blue hour in Chicago?

Morning blue hour in Chicago begins at 05:30, before sunrise. Evening blue hour begins at 19:25, just after sunset.

What time is sunrise in Chicago today?

Sunrise in Chicago is at 06:31 local time (America/Chicago), rising toward 86° E.

What time is sunset in Chicago today?

Sunset in Chicago is at 18:58 local time (America/Chicago), setting toward 274° W.

How long is the day in Chicago?

Chicago has 12h 26m of daylight today.

Solar almanac · 2026-09-16 · United States

Golden hour in Chicago, United States

41.8781° N
87.6298° W
America/Chicago

Times shown in local time for Chicago (America/Chicago).

Golden hour & blue hour

Window	Starts	Ends
Blue hour (morning)	05:30	06:03
Golden hour (morning)	06:31	07:08
Golden hour (evening)	18:21	18:58
Blue hour (evening)	19:25	19:58

Field notes for photographers

Where to shoot golden hour in Chicago

Chicago’s eastern lakefront offers a clean horizon, while parks and promontories pull the full skyline into view. Glass towers catch direct color and Lake Michigan adds reflections, mist and strong negative space.

01
North Avenue Beach
Best for sunrise
Shoot near the shoreline so waves lead toward the skyline’s lake-facing towers.
Sun rises
86° E
Sun sets
274° W
02
Adler Planetarium Point
Best for sunset
Use the peninsula edge to keep the skyline in a single uninterrupted row.
Sun rises
86° E
Sun sets
274° W
03
Cloud Gate
Best for both
Work close to the sculpture to curve the skyline and sky across its reflective surface.
Sun rises
86° E
Sun sets
274° W

Seasonal light. Summer offers long lakefront evenings, while winter light is brief and low, often giving the façades stronger modeling.

Today’s solar record

−3 min/day

Sunrise: 06:31
Sunset: 18:58
Solar noon: 12:45
Day length: 12h 26m

Evening golden hour starts at 18:21

Add to calendar

Solar trajectory

Maximum 51°

East · sunriseHighest point of the sun today: 51° above the horizon. The shaded band near the horizon is golden-hour light.West · sunset

Twenty-four hours of light

06:31Sunrise12:45Solar noon18:58Sunset

NightBlue hourGolden hourDaylight

Next 7 days

Date	Sunrise	Sunset	Day length
2026-09-16	06:31	18:58	12h 26m
2026-09-17	06:32	18:56	12h 23m
2026-09-18	06:33	18:54	12h 21m
2026-09-19	06:34	18:52	12h 18m
2026-09-20	06:35	18:51	12h 15m
2026-09-21	06:37	18:49	12h 12m
2026-09-22	06:38	18:47	12h 10m

Annual light rhythm · Chicago

9h 09m—15h 13m

Longest days in June (15h 13m), shortest in December (9h 09m).

Questions

When is golden hour in Chicago today?: Evening golden hour in Chicago starts at 18:21 and ends at sunset, 18:58. Morning golden hour runs from sunrise, 06:31, until 07:08 local time (America/Chicago).
How long does golden hour last in Chicago?: Evening golden hour in Chicago runs from 18:21 to 18:58, and morning golden hour from 06:31 to 07:08.
When is blue hour in Chicago?: Morning blue hour in Chicago begins at 05:30, before sunrise. Evening blue hour begins at 19:25, just after sunset.
What time is sunrise in Chicago today?: Sunrise in Chicago is at 06:31 local time (America/Chicago), rising toward 86° E.
What time is sunset in Chicago today?: Sunset in Chicago is at 18:58 local time (America/Chicago), setting toward 274° W.
How long is the day in Chicago?: Chicago has 12h 26m of daylight today.

Other views for Chicago

Continue planning

Golden hour & blue hour

Where to shoot golden hour in Chicago

North Avenue Beach

Adler Planetarium Point

Cloud Gate