Chicagohenge 2027: Dates, Times & Forecast
Chicagohenge is when the rising and setting sun line up with Chicago's east–west streets, lighting the canyons of the Loop end to end. Because the city's grid runs almost exactly east–west, it happens around the spring and autumn equinoxes: sunsets down the streets to the west, and sunrises over Lake Michigan to the east.
- Next Chicagohenge
Sunset · Friday, March 19, 2027
Alignment at 6:59 PM (Chicago time) · predicted
- Forecast
Check back on Saturday, March 13 to see Alpenglow's sunset forecast for Chicagohenge. Forecasts open up 6 days ahead. Until then, here's the current Chicago sunset forecast.
Chicagohenge dates and times
| Date | Event | Time (Chicago) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, March 19, 2027 | Sunset | 6:59 PM |
| Saturday, March 20, 2027 | Sunrise | 6:55 AM |
| Thursday, September 23, 2027 | Sunset | 6:44 PM |
| Friday, September 24, 2027 | Sunrise | 6:41 AM |
Times are when the sun sits centred at the end of the street. Dates are predicted by Alpenglow; the days either side look nearly as good.
How Chicagohenge works
The sun rises due east and sets due west only around the equinoxes in March and September. Chicago's street grid follows the cardinal directions almost exactly, so on those few days the sun sits at the end of every east–west street at once.
The alignment is best for a few days either side of the date listed. The sun moves only a fraction of a degree along the horizon each day near the equinox, so the effect is nearly as good on neighbouring days.
Chicagohenge sunrises fall on almost the same days as the sunsets, around each equinox. Look east toward Lake Michigan from the Loop.
Where to watch
- Sunset: looking west through the Loop
- Stand on Michigan Avenue or in Millennium and Grant Parks and look west along the east–west streets (Madison, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Washington and Randolph) toward the skyline. Elevated spots such as bridges over the river give a cleaner view over traffic.
- Sunrise: over the lake
- For the sunrise version, look east down the same streets toward Lake Michigan. The open water gives a low, flat horizon, so the sun appears right on time.
- Be careful in the street
- Watch from the sidewalk or a safe spot. Never stand in traffic for the photo.
Plan the exact direction with the sun direction calculator, and check the Chicago sunset forecast to see whether the sky will cooperate.
Chicagohenge FAQ
When is Chicagohenge?
Around the spring equinox in March and the autumn equinox in September, at both sunrise and sunset. The listed dates are when the alignment is closest; the days either side look nearly as good.
Why does Chicagohenge happen at the equinox?
At the equinoxes the sun rises due east and sets due west everywhere on Earth. Chicago’s grid runs almost exactly east–west, so the sun lines up with every east–west street at once.
How are these dates calculated?
Alpenglow computes them from the sun's position and the street bearing. Buildings, the lake horizon and atmospheric refraction can shift the best moment by a few minutes.
What if it is cloudy?
The alignment happens whether you can see it or not, so the weather decides everything. A clear horizon toward the sun matters most: low cloud or haze along the horizon hides the sun before it reaches the street. Broken mid- or high-level cloud overhead can add colour. Alpenglow forecasts sunset and sunrise quality up to 7 days ahead, so check the forecast for the alignment day and the days either side, when the effect is nearly as good.
Other city alignments
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