North America
Chicago Sunrise, Sunset & Golden Hour | United States
See today’s sunrise, sunset, dawn, dusk, and golden hour times in Chicago, United States, with a monthly daylight reference and photography-friendly context.
Today in this city
On September 11, 2026 in Chicago, United States, sunrise is at 6:27 AM and sunset is at 7:09 PM (America/Chicago). The day lasts 12h 42m, solar noon is at 12:48 PM, morning golden hour ends at 7:04 AM, and evening golden hour starts at 6:32 PM.
Local date
September 11, 2026
Time zone
CDT
Last refreshed
Sep 11, 2026, 7:51 AM
Today’s solar times in Chicago
Dawn
5:59 AM
Sunrise
6:27 AM
Morning golden hour ends
7:04 AM
Evening golden hour starts
6:32 PM
Sunset
7:09 PM
Dusk
7:37 PM
Location and calculation details
Day length
12h 42m
Solar noon
12:48 PM
Coordinates
41.8500, -87.6500
Calculation basis
Times are calculated from latitude 41.8500, longitude -87.6500, and the America/Chicago time zone.
Upcoming sunrise and sunset changes
Compare how sunrise, sunset, and daylight length shift in Chicago over the next few weeks.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| TodaySep 11, 2026 | 6:27 AM | 7:09 PM | 12h 42m |
| TomorrowSep 12, 2026 | 6:28 AM | 7:07 PM | 12h 39m |
| +1 weekSep 18, 2026 | 6:35 AM | 6:57 PM | 12h 22m |
| +1 monthOct 11, 2026 | 6:59 AM | 6:17 PM | 11h 18m |
What these times mean
Chicago changes quickly through the year. Dawn marks first usable twilight, sunrise starts direct daylight, golden hour adds softer low-angle light, sunset ends direct sunlight, and dusk closes civil twilight.
Monthly daylight reference
Use this month-by-month table to compare typical daylight windows in Chicago throughout the current year.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:16 AM | 4:45 PM | 9h 28m |
| February | 6:47 AM | 5:24 PM | 10h 37m |
| March | 7:03 AM | 6:57 PM | 11h 54m |
| April | 6:11 AM | 7:31 PM | 13h 20m |
| May | 5:31 AM | 8:04 PM | 14h 33m |
| June | 5:16 AM | 8:28 PM | 15h 12m |
| July | 5:29 AM | 8:25 PM | 14h 56m |
| August | 6:00 AM | 7:52 PM | 13h 53m |
| September | 6:32 AM | 7:02 PM | 12h 30m |
| October | 7:03 AM | 6:11 PM | 11h 07m |
| November | 6:41 AM | 4:31 PM | 9h 50m |
| December | 7:12 AM | 4:21 PM | 9h 09m |
Yearly daylight milestones
Earliest sunrise
5:16 AM
June 9
Latest sunset
8:30 PM
June 20
Longest day
15h 13m
June 21
Shortest day
9h 08m
December 22
Upcoming solar eclipses
Upcoming solar eclipses visible from Chicago with at least 50% local coverage. Times are shown in local time.
| Date | Time | Maximum magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2029 | 11:13 AM | 87.1% |
| Aug 12, 2045 | 12:42 PM | 107.7% |
| Jun 11, 2048 | 7:58 AM | 94.4% |
| Mar 30, 2052 | 1:31 PM | 104.7% |
| Jul 1, 2057 | 6:40 PM | 94.6% |
Eclipse Syllabus
How to Find Golden Hour for Photography
Learn when golden hour occurs and how to find the perfect time for warm, flattering photography light. Get precise golden hour times for your location.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunrise and sunset in Chicago today?
On September 11, 2026, sunrise in Chicago, United States is at 6:27 AM and sunset is at 7:09 PM (America/Chicago).
How long is the day in Chicago today?
Today in Chicago, the time between sunrise and sunset is 12h 42m.
When is golden hour in Chicago?
Morning golden hour in Chicago ends at 7:04 AM. Evening golden hour starts at 6:32 PM.
What time is solar noon in Chicago?
Solar noon in Chicago is at 12:48 PM today. This is when the Sun reaches its highest point for the day.
Related city pages
Plan beyond a single city
Use SolarWatch to follow sun position, shadows, and golden hour windows beyond Chicago, with widgets and planning tools for photographers and outdoor routines.
