When to visit
Chicago?

Discover the best time of year, based on historical climate, temperature, and precipitation.

Chicago
State of Illinois · United States of America

The best time to visit Chicago is June, August, September, when the weather, flight prices, and crowds align.consistent weather climate

Climate score
June
76

Excellent climate

🌦Humid

Temperature
16–25°C
Cool nights
Feels like
15–26°C
Comfortable
Precipitation
115mm
Torrential rain · 9 days
Sunshine
11.6h
Partly cloudy
Humidity (%)
73%
Comfortable
Annual Climate Analysis
Temperature, Rain & Feels Like
Rain
Actual Temp
Feels Like
-20°-10°10°20°30°40°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tourist Crowds
Monthly visitor flow
98
High season
050100JanFebMarAprMayJun98JulAugSepOctNovDec
Monthly Overview
Score101316327276717780542212
ClimatePolarPolarColdColdCool & rainyHumidRainyHumidHumidCool & rainyColdCold
Temperature-7–0°C-6–2°C-1–7°C4–13°C10–19°C16–25°C19–27°C19–27°C16–24°C9–17°C2–9°C-3–4°C
Feels like-12–-5°C-12–-3°C-6–3°C0–10°C7–18°C15–26°C20–29°C20–28°C15–24°C6–14°C-3–5°C-8–-1°C
Precipitation65mm
12 days
61mm
9 days
88mm
10 days
106mm
12 days
134mm
11 days
115mm
9 days
152mm
10 days
108mm
10 days
96mm
8 days
122mm
11 days
63mm
8 days
67mm
9 days
Sunshine4.1h
☀︎ 43%
6.5h
☀︎ 61%
7.3h
☀︎ 61%
8.3h
☀︎ 62%
9.4h
☀︎ 65%
11.6h
☀︎ 77%
11.8h
☀︎ 79%
11.5h
☀︎ 83%
9.6h
☀︎ 77%
7.5h
☀︎ 67%
6.0h
☀︎ 61%
4.3h
☀︎ 47%
WindW · 26 km/hW · 27 km/hNW · 27 km/hNW · 27 km/hE · 25 km/hS · 23 km/hSW · 21 km/hS · 21 km/hSE · 23 km/hSW · 26 km/hSW · 26 km/hSW · 26 km/h
Humidity (%)76%73%73%72%75%73%77%75%74%72%73%75%
Day length9.5h10.6h12.0h13.4h14.6h15.2h14.9h13.8h12.5h11.1h9.8h9.2h
Tourist CrowdsLow seasonLow seasonHigh seasonHigh seasonHigh seasonHigh seasonHigh seasonHigh seasonHigh seasonHigh seasonHigh seasonShoulder season
Events & Festivals
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Lollapalooza
St. Patrick's Day Parade & River Dyeing
Chicago Air and Water Show
Chicago Blues Festival
Chicago Jazz Festival
Chicago Marathon
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Taste of Chicago
Grant Park Music Festival
Events & Festivals
  • LollapaloozafestivalSignature event
    August· 500k+ visitors

    Experience one of the world's largest music festivals, Lollapalooza, drawing hundreds of thousands to Grant Park for fou…

  • St. Patrick's Day Parade & River DyeingholidaySignature event
    March· 500k+ visitors

    Witness Chicago's iconic St. Patrick's Day celebration, where the Chicago River is dyed emerald green, followed by a mas…

  • Chicago Air and Water Showfestival
    August· 500k+ visitors

    Marvel at the Chicago Air and Water Show, one of the largest free events of its kind in the United States, held annually…

  • Chicago Blues Festivalfestival
    June· 50k+ visitors

    Immerse yourself in the soulful sounds of the Chicago Blues Festival, the largest free blues festival in the world, held…

  • Chicago Jazz Festivalfestival
    September· 50k+ visitors

    Enjoy the smooth rhythms of the Chicago Jazz Festival, a free annual event held over Labor Day weekend, typically in ear…

  • Chicago Marathonsports
    October· 50k+ visitors

    Join runners and spectators for the prestigious Chicago Marathon, one of the world's six major marathons, held annually…

  • Christkindlmarket Chicagoholiday
    November, December· 50k+ visitors

    Experience the festive magic of Christkindlmarket Chicago, a traditional German-style Christmas market held from mid-Nov…

  • Magnificent Mile Lights Festivalholiday
    November· 50k+ visitors

    Kick off the holiday season at the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, typically held in mid-November. This grand parade i…

  • Taste of Chicagofood wine
    July· 500k+ visitors

    Indulge in Chicago's culinary delights at the Taste of Chicago, a massive food festival held in Grant Park, typically in…

  • Grant Park Music Festivalcultural
    June, July, August· 5k+ visitors

    Enjoy free classical music under the stars at the Grant Park Music Festival, running from June through August. With plea…

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Chicago?

The best time to visit Chicago is September, August, June, May, July, with temperatures between 10 °C and 27 °C. The best month is September. September is high season.

What is the weather like in Chicago?

Chicago has a climate with an overall score of 4.5/10. Annual temperatures range from -7 °C to 27 °C.

What is the hottest month in Chicago?

The hottest month in Chicago is July, with average highs of 27 °C and lows of 19 °C.

What is the rainiest month in Chicago?

The rainiest month in Chicago is July, with an average of 152 mm of precipitation.

When is peak season in Chicago?

Peak season in Chicago is March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. This is the most popular period, with the highest tourism levels and prices.

When is shoulder season in Chicago?

Shoulder season in Chicago falls in December. It offers a good balance of decent weather and lower prices compared to peak season.