The Best Time to Visit Chicago – A Month By Month Guide (By A Local!)

Visiting Chicago in the Spring

The Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day

Spring is generally a great time to explore Chicago as temperatures start to increase making it more pleasant to walk around and sightsee. However, early spring weather can be very unpredictable, the temperatures can be more moderate and pleasant or they can be a continuation of winter.

Pros: Weather starts to warm up making it easier to walk around to explore.

Cons:  Spring weather is unpredictable so you might still encounter winter weather especially in March and early April.  Tourism starts to pick up in mid March for spring break and St. Patrick’s Day events.  Even if the temperature is warmer, it might rain so bring an umbrella.

Visiting Chicago in the Summer

Summer is the busiest and the most popular time to visit Chicago and usually has great weather (but some days can be very hot and muggy). The nice thing about visiting in the summer is that are always festivals, concerts and events going on around the city in the summer-many of them free!  Navy Pier has free fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday night during the summer only.  You can also enjoy eating and drinking outside at Chicago’s many rooftops and patios.

Pros: There are tons of festivals, concerts and events that take place in the summer.  The weather is warm enough to go to the beach and spend time outdoors.

Cons: Some days the weather can be hot and humid, very busy with tourists so attractions are more crowded, higher prices, crime rate is higher.

Visiting Chicago in the Fall

Fall temperatures vary and can be less predictable but fall is usually the best time to visit in terms of good weather – the weather is usually more pleasant (still relatively warm and less likely to rain). Visitors to Chicago in early autumn (September and early October) can still enjoy many of the same outdoor activities that you can enjoy in the summer (architecture river cruise, outdoor festivals, the beach, dining at outdoor patios and rooftops) without the crowds.  Late Autumn (late October and November) might still be warm as well but even if it is cooler it is usually very pleasant.

Pros: Great weather making it easy to walk around to explore, less crowded because kids and students are back in school.

Cons: No cons but weather is unpredictable so you might get a cold fall.

Visiting Chicago in the Winter

Chicago can be brutally cold- think below freezing temperatures and snow –but not always. Some years winters can be mild and even on a colder winter some days can randomly be mild or warm.  For those that hate cold weather, I would probably avoid Chicago in the winter if you are able to visit another time.  But if winter is your only option even if you don’t enjoy cold weather, there are plenty of things to do indoors in the winter (museums, great restaurants, tall buildings, shopping, theater, comedy clubs and more).  If you are able to plan a visit more last minute, check the weather forecasts and book a trip if the weather is more mild.

However, if you don’t mind the cold, Chicago is a great place to visit in the winter as it is less crowded with tourists so everything will be less busy (except between Thanksgiving weekend and New Year’s) when people visit Chicago for holiday events and holiday shopping. Even if you don’t mind cold and snow, keep an eye on the forecast for major snowstorms which happen once or a few times each winter.  They can make it difficult to get around and you might have to deal with flight cancellations on your way into or out of town.

Pros: Lower prices on accommodation in January and February. This is low season so everything is less crowded (except right before and during the holidays).

Cons: Weather can be cold and snowy (but you might get lucky and get pleasant temperatures), river and lake is frozen (no architecture cruises, boat rides etc.), hard to enjoy outdoor activities.

What is the Best Month to Visit Chicago

Hopefully you now have a general idea of the season you want to visit Chicago.  If you want to narrow it down further, here is a month by month guide based on weather and festivals and events (for more festivals and events check out this listing of all the festivals and events in Chicago.

Visiting Chicago in January

January is usually the coldest month in Chicago. The temperature will most likely be below freezing and there might be snow on the ground. However the last few years, January has been more mild so it is not rare to get lucky and have days where the temperature is in the 40s or even 50s. If you do not like cold weather, January is not a great time to visit. This is one of the two months with the fewer tourists and lower prices on hotels.

Weather:  Average Temperature 27.7 °F, Average High Temperature 31 °F, Average Low Temperature 16.5 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 10.5, Average Number of Days With Snow 8.2

Festivals and Events: Chicago Ale Fest, Soxfest, Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival,  Chicago Restaurant Week

Visiting Chicago in February

February is usually the second coldest month in Chicago. The temperature might be below freezing and there might be snow on the ground. However the last few years, February has been more mild so it is not rare to get lucky and have days where the temperature is in the 40s or even 50s. If you do not like cold weather, February is not a great time to visit.  This is one of the two months with the fewer tourists and lower prices on hotels.

Weather: Average Temperature 27.7 °F, Average High Temperature 35.3 °F, Average Low Temperature 20.1 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 8.8, Average Number of Days With Snow 5.9

Festivals and Events: Chicago Theater Week, Chicago Auto Show, Chicago Chinese New Year Celebration

Visiting Chicago In March

March weather is very unpredictable. The weather might start warming up or you might still encounter winter weather and even snow. Tourism starts to pick up especially the weekend right before St. Patrick’s Day which is huge in Chicago. In late March, there are also more visitors in town because many schools have spring break at this time.

Weather: Average Temperature 37.9 °F, Average High Temperature 46.6 °F, Average Low Temperature 29.2 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 11.1, Average Number of Days With Snow 4.2

Festivals and Events: The Chicago Beer Festival, Southside Irish Parade, Northwest Side Irish Parade, Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier, St. Patrick’s Day Downtown Parade & River Dyeing

Visiting Chicago in April

By April weather has probably started to warm up a bit but the weather is unpredictable. April is one of the months with the most rain. Early April can be crowded because some students are still on spring break.

Weather: Average Temperature 48.9 °F, Average High Temperature 59 °F, Average Low Temperature 38.8 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 12, Average Number of Days With Snow 0.9

Festivals and Events: Chicago White Sox Opening Day, Baconfest Chicago, Chicago Cubs Opening Day at Wrigley Field, C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, One of a Kind Show and Sale Spring Show, CIMMFEST: THE Chicago International Movies & Music Festival

Visiting Chicago in May

May tends to be one of the most pleasant months in terms of temperature. It is a great time to visit Chicago before schools go on summer break and the busy summer season starts.

Weather: Average Temperature 59.1 °F, Average High Temperature 70 °F, Average Low Temperature 48.3 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 11.6

Festivals and Events: Chicago Beer Classic, Chicago Kids and Kites Festival, Illinois Craft Beer Week, Bike The Drive, Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival, Mayfest

Visiting Chicago In June

Summer has started but the temperature is not too hot yet. Unfortunately, it is more likely to rain in June than later in the summer.  Summer is peak season to visit Chicago- tourism starts to pick up and there are more festivals and events going on, especially outdoors.

Weather: Average Temperature 68.9 °F, Average High Temperature 79.7 °F, Average Low Temperature 58.1 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 10.2

Festivals and Events: Chicago Blues Festival, 57th Street Art Fair, Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Ribfest Chicago, Chicago Pride Fest, Chicago Pride Parade

Visiting Chicago in July

July is usually the hottest month in Chicago in terms of temperature and the weather might be very hot and humid. It is a busy time to be in Chicago with a lot of events and festivals going on.

Weather: Average Temperature 74 °F, Average High Temperature 84.1 °F, Average Low Temperature 63.9 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 9.8

Festivals and Events: Taste of Chicago, Rhythm World Festival, Square Roots Festival, Millennium Art Festival, Southport Art & Music Fest, Pitchfork Music Festival,  Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk, Chicago Craft Beer Festival

Visiting Chicago in August

August is usually the second hottest month in Chicago in terms of temperature and the weather might be very hot and humid. It is a busy time to be in Chicago with a lot of events and festivals going on.

Weather: Average Temperature 72.4 °F, Average High Temperature 81.9 °F, Average Low Temperature 62.9 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 9.8

Festivals and Events: Lollapalooza, Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Air & Water Show, Chicago Hot Dog Fest, Clark after Dark

Visiting Chicago in September

I think September is the month with the best weather. The temperature is still usually warm and it is also the driest month so it is less likely to rain. If you enjoy summer activities with fewer crowds, early (but after Labor Day) to mid September is a great time to visit. Late September is still usually warm but it starts to get a bit cooler at night.

Weather:  Average Temperature 64.6 °F, Average High Temperature 74.8 °F, Average Low Temperature 54.3 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 8.3

Festivals and Events: Chicago Gourmet, Chicago Architecture Biennial, Fulton Market Harvest Fest, World Music Festival Chicago, Windy City Wine Festival

Visiting Chicago in October

October is also a great time to visit Chicago in terms of weather.  The temperature has started to cool a bit so it is very pleasant to walk around and explore Chicago. Early October might still have summer like temperatures if you enjoy warm weather.

Weather: Average Temperature 52.5 °F, Average High Temperature 62.3 °F, Average Low Temperature 42.8 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 10.2

Festivals and Events: Chicago International Film Festival,  Chicago Marathon, Open House Chicago Presented by Chicago Architecture Foundation

Visiting Chicago in November

If you enjoy moderate or cooler weather, November is a great time to visit. Weather can be a bit unpredictable, and although snow is rare, it is possible. Attractions are less likely to be crowded in early November but starting around Thanksgiving tourism starts to pick up with visitors coming to Chicago for holiday shopping and other holiday events.

Weather: Average Temperature 40.3 °F, Average High Temperature 48.2 °F, Average Low Temperature 32.4 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 10.8, Average Number of Days With Snow 1.7

Festivals and Events: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Christkindlmarket, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Visiting Chicago in December

Winter has started so you might encounter very cold and snowy weather. Although it is winter, there are a lot of visitors to Chicago. If you are staying downtown, there will be traffic and it will be crowded with people doing holiday shopping or coming to Chicago for holiday events.

Weather:  Average Temperature 27.7 °F, Average High Temperature  34.8 °F, Average Low Temperature 20.7 °F, Average Number of Days With Precipitation 11, Average Number of Days With Snow 6.9

Festivals and Events: Renegade Craft Fair, One of a Kind Show, Randolph Street Holiday Market, Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier, New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier

What is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Chicago For…

Good Weather  –  Weather is very very unpredictable in Chicago especially in the spring and fall.  While you can use the average temperature as a guideline what to expect, sometimes the weather can be much higher or lower than average for that time of year.  The temperature can also change drastically from day to day and even hour to hour.  For example, you can have a day with a high temperature in the 70s and the next day the weather is only in the 30s.

The months that typically have the worst weather are January and February but winter can start as early as November and end as late as March or April. The months with the best weather in Chicago are typically late September and October when the weather is warm or moderate.  If you are looking for more predictable temperatures I recommend visiting mid summer (July or August) when it is guaranteed to be hot (but it might be as hot as the 90s or more pleasant temperatures in the 70s).

Avoiding Crowds – Chicago is a popular tourist destination year round but if you want to avoid fellow tourists in the popular attractions visit in January and February. October and early November are also less busy because summer vacations are over but the holiday season has not begun.

Low Prices – You are most likely to find hotel bargains in January and February because there are fewer tourists visiting Chicago.

Foodies –  While Chicago is a great place for food lovers year round, foodies might want to keep the following events in mind: Chicago Restaurant Week (January 25 – February 7, 2019) and Taste of Chicago  (July 10-14, 2019).

Music Lovers  –  While Chicago is a great place to listen to live music year round, Chicago has many outdoor music festivals in the summer (most of them are FREE!) including the following: Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival (May 25 – 26, 2019),  Chicago Blues Festival (June 7-9, 2019), Lollapalooza (August 1 – 4, 2019),  Chicago Jazz Festival (August 23 – September 1, 2019) and World Music Festival Chicago (September 13-29, 2019).

Party Animals – If partying is your thing then you might want to visit Chicago during the weekend right before St. Patrick’s Day when people start drinking from the morning.  Bars and clubs are busiest between St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween, during the winter months they are less crowded.  Lots of bars and restaurants have outdoor patios and rooftops which are open only during the warmer months (May/June to September/October).

Best Time to Visit Chicago – My Overall Recommendation

I think Chicago is a great place to visit year round but overall most people would enjoy visiting Chicago in the fall because of the weather is still relatively warm and you can enjoy outdoor activities with fewer crowds because kids and students are back in school.  If you prefer warm summer like weather, September is a great month to visit. If you like more moderate and pleasant temperatures, October and early November are great times to visit.  Spring (especially May) is also a good time to visit for more pleasant temperatures. If you want to visit on a budget and want to avoid crowds, then you might want to visit in the winter but you might have to brave the cold and snow.

Ultimately when to visit Chicago depends on you so hopefully this guide has helped you make a decision on the best time to visit Chicago. If you are still not sure, feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below.

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