Sunrise, sunset & golden hour in Chicago
On 24 July 2026, Chicago has sunrise at 05:36 and sunset at 20:17, 14h 41m of daylight. The evening golden hour runs 19:37–20:36.
Computed with the NOAA solar model for 24 July 2026. Rebuild daily to keep current.
Golden hour, blue hour & daylight in Chicago
Golden hour is the soft, warm light while the sun sits between −4° and +6° of the horizon, a photographer's favourite window. Blue hour is the cooler stretch on the far side, the sun between −6° and −4°. The exact times shift a little every day, so the windows above are computed for today with the NOAA solar model.
Chicago sits at 41.9° N, in the temperate band. That means daylight swings from about 15h 14m at the June solstice down to 9h 8m around Christmas, a clear seasonal shift. The higher the latitude, the longer and more dramatic golden hour becomes.
FAQ
When is golden hour in Chicago today?
Evening golden hour is 19:37–20:36; morning is 05:17–06:17.
How many hours of daylight does Chicago get?
14h 41m on 24 July 2026.