Dusk and last light in Chicago
Last light (civil dusk) in Chicago today fades at 18:58, about 28 minutes after the sun sets at 18:30. The sky is fully dark by astronomical dusk at 20:02. Times for Thursday, 1 October 2026, in Chicago's local time zone.
| Stage | What it means | Local time |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset | the sun dips below the horizon | 18:30 |
| Civil dusk (last light) | sun 6° below, usable light ends | 18:58 |
| Nautical dusk | sun 12° below, sea horizon gone | 19:30 |
| Astronomical dusk | sun 18° below, full night | 20:02 |
Dusk in Chicago, stage by stage
Dusk in Chicago runs the same three stages as dawn, in reverse. Once the sun sets, civil dusk, the last usable light, lingers until the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical dusk follows at 12 degrees, when the sea horizon disappears, and astronomical dusk at 18 degrees, after which the sky is fully dark and the faintest stars appear. How long dusk lasts depends on Chicago's latitude: near the equator night falls fast, while at high latitudes dusk can stretch for hours or, in high summer, never fully darken. Every time here is computed for Chicago's coordinates and shown in its local time zone.
Frequently asked questions about dusk in Chicago
What time is last light in Chicago today?
Last light (civil dusk) in Chicago fades at 18:58 on Thursday, 1 October 2026, about 28 minutes after sunset at 18:30. All times are in Chicago's local time zone.
What is the difference between dusk and sunset in Chicago?
Sunset is the instant the sun disappears below the horizon in Chicago; dusk is the fading twilight that follows. Last light (civil dusk) ends the usable light after sunset.
When does it get fully dark in Chicago?
Chicago reaches full darkness at astronomical dusk, 20:02 on Thursday, 1 October 2026, when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon.
Every time on this page is computed from Chicago's coordinates with SunCalc, not estimated or looked up from a table.