Free planning tool

When does the light go, and what will you need?

Enter your date and event times. See the normal high, sunset, golden light and when it gets dark in Chicago, and what to plan for lights, heat, shade and rain.

At dusk the lighting plan takes over from the sun.

Saturday, November 7, 2026

6 AMNoon6 PMMidnight2 AM

DaylightTwilightYour event

Normal high: 48°F
Sunset: 4:39 PM
Golden light: from 3:39 PM
Dark by: 5:09 PM

10 h 10 min of daylight. Normal high from NWS Chicago 1991-2020 normals, O'Hare; sun times calculated. Check the forecast 10 days out. Planning in November

It's dark by 5:09 PM
Your event runs about 5 hours past dark. Plan bistro or string lights over seating, lit paths and lighting at the bar and restrooms.
Lighting rentals
Normal high is only 48°F
Plan a tent with sidewalls and heat, or an indoor backup. A common rule is one patio heater per 8 to 12 seated guests.
How many heaters you need

Save this date in My Events Price tents, heaters or lights

Month by month

Chicago sunset and darkness, 2027

Times for the 15th of each month (Central Time, daylight saving where it applies).

Normal high, sunset, darkness and daylight in Chicago on the 15th of each month
Month	Normal high	Sunset	Dark by	Daylight
January	32°F	4:43 PM	5:13 PM	9 h 27 min
February	36°F	5:22 PM	5:51 PM	10 h 34 min
March	47°F	6:56 PM	7:24 PM	11 h 52 min
April	59°F	7:30 PM	7:59 PM	13 h 18 min
May	71°F	8:02 PM	8:34 PM	14 h 31 min
June	80°F	8:27 PM	9:01 PM	15 h 13 min
July	85°F	8:25 PM	8:58 PM	14 h 57 min
August	83°F	7:53 PM	8:23 PM	13 h 55 min
September	76°F	7:02 PM	7:30 PM	12 h 33 min
October	63°F	6:11 PM	6:39 PM	11 h 10 min
November	48°F	4:31 PM	5:01 PM	9 h 52 min
December	37°F	4:20 PM	4:52 PM	9 h 9 min

Normal highs: NWS Chicago 1991-2020 normals, O'Hare. Sun times calculated for downtown Chicago.

Questions

Chicago event weather

What time is sunset in Chicago in June?

Around 8:27 PM in mid-June, and it is dark by about 9:01 PM. The latest sunsets of the year come in late June, at about 8:30 PM.

What time does it get dark in Chicago in December?

Sunset is around 4:20 PM in mid-December and it is dark by about 4:52 PM, so almost every December evening event happens after dark. Plan lighting for the entrance, parking and any outdoor area.

What is golden hour, and when should I plan photos?

Photographers call the hour before sunset golden hour because the light is soft and warm. In mid-September that is about an hour before 7:02 PM. Use the planner above for your exact date.

When is it too cold for an outdoor event in Chicago?

Normal highs at O'Hare are below 50°F from November through March. The median last spring freeze is April 21 and the median first fall freeze is October 19, so outdoor events outside that window need heaters and sidewalls or an indoor backup.

Where do these numbers come from?

Normal highs are the NWS Chicago 1991-2020 normals, O'Hare. Sunrise, sunset and darkness (end of civil twilight) are calculated with NOAA's solar equations for downtown Chicago, and are usually within a minute or two of published tables. Normals are averages, so always check the 10-day forecast.

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