Sunrise time in Chicago
In Chicago the sun rises as early as 5:16 AM (June 15) and as late as 7:22 AM (October 31). Here is today’s sunrise with first light and the morning golden hour, then the sunrise time for every month of 2026.
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Next 7 days in Chicago
Sunrise in Chicago through the year
The longest day of 2026 is June 21, with 15 h 14 min between sunrise and sunset; the shortest is December 22, with 9 h 8 min. The latest sunrise around midwinter (January 3, 7:19 AM) comes 12 days after the shortest day (December 22), which is why the darkest mornings arrive after the solstice. On the clock, the very latest sunrise of the year is on October 31, just before the clocks go back. In 2026 clocks go forward on March 8 and back on November 1; sunrise jumps an hour later when clocks go forward and an hour earlier when they go back.
| Date | First light | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 | 6:46 AM | 7:16 AM | 8:00 AM | 9 h 28 min |
| Feb 15 | 6:19 AM | 6:47 AM | 7:26 AM | 10 h 37 min |
| Mar 15 | 6:36 AM | 7:03 AM | 7:40 AM | 11 h 54 min |
| Apr 15 | 5:42 AM | 6:11 AM | 6:48 AM | 13 h 20 min |
| May 15 | 4:59 AM | 5:31 AM | 6:11 AM | 14 h 33 min |
| Jun 15 | 4:41 AM | 5:16 AM | 5:58 AM | 15 h 12 min |
| Jul 15 | 4:56 AM | 5:29 AM | 6:10 AM | 14 h 56 min |
| Aug 15 | 5:29 AM | 5:59 AM | 6:38 AM | 13 h 53 min |
| Sep 15 | 6:03 AM | 6:31 AM | 7:08 AM | 12 h 30 min |
| Oct 15 | 6:35 AM | 7:03 AM | 7:41 AM | 11 h 7 min |
| Nov 15 | 6:11 AM | 6:41 AM | 7:23 AM | 9 h 50 min |
| Dec 15 | 6:40 AM | 7:12 AM | 7:57 AM | 9 h 9 min |
First light and golden hour in Chicago
In Chicago first light comes about 28 minutes before sunrise around the equinoxes, 34 minutes in late June and 32 minutes in late December; that is the morning blue hour. After sunrise the golden light lasts about 37, 42 and 45 minutes at those times of year.
Where to watch the sunrise in Chicago
Sunrise is Chicago’s specialty because it comes up over open water. Montrose Harbor, North Avenue Beach and the end of Navy Pier all face east across Lake Michigan.
How these times are calculated
Times are computed for Chicago (41.88° N, 87.63° W) with the NOAA solar-position algorithm, for a flat horizon, in local time (America/Chicago). They are usually within a minute of published tables. Hills, buildings and weather can hide the sun a few minutes earlier than shown.