Blue hour
Blue Hour in Chicago, IL
Blue hour in Chicago is the short twilight stretch when the sun sits between about −6° and −4° — just before sunrise and just after sunset — bathing the sky in even, cool blue light. Here are today's morning and evening blue hours for Chicago, Illinois.
Chicago, IL
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Morning golden hour
4:51 AM – 5:57 AM
1h 6m
Evening golden hour
7:46 PM – 8:53 PM
1h 6m
Golden & blue hour
Morning golden hour4:51 AM – 5:57 AM1h 6m
Evening golden hour7:46 PM – 8:53 PM1h 6m
Morning blue hour4:40 AM – 4:51 AM10 min
Evening blue hour8:53 PM – 9:03 PM10 min
Sun
Sunrise5:15 AM57° ENE
Sunset8:29 PM303° WNW
Solar noon12:52 PM
Day length15h 14m
Dawn · civil4:40 AM
Dawn · nautical3:56 AM
Dawn · astronomical3:03 AM
Dusk · civil9:03 PM
Dusk · nautical9:47 PM
Dusk · astronomical10:41 PM
Moon
Waxing Crescent
38% illuminated
- Moonrise
- 11:36 AM83° E
- Moonset
- 12:05 AM281° W
Horizon directions
SunriseSunsetMoonriseMoonset
More for Chicago
Gear for the shot
- Travel tripod Sharp frames in dim blue-hour light.
- Ball head Fast, precise recomposition on the tripod.
- Remote shutter release Avoid shake on long exposures.
- Headlamp Hands-free setup before dawn and after dusk.
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Blue hour in nearby cities
Chicago — frequently asked
- When is blue hour today in Chicago?
- Chicago has a morning blue hour ending around dawn and an evening blue hour beginning right after sunset. Today's exact windows are in the planner above.
- Is blue hour before or after golden hour?
- In the evening, golden hour comes first (ending at sunset), then blue hour. In the morning the order reverses: blue hour, then golden hour through sunrise.
- Do I need a tripod for blue hour in Chicago?
- Usually yes — blue hour light is dim, so longer exposures and a tripod help keep images sharp and noise-free.