Chicagohenge 2025: When and where to see the equinox phenomenon

With the change of seasons, Chicagoans (and visitors) can enjoy a unique celestial event: Chicagohenge. This phenomenon occurs twice a year, during the spring and fall equinoxes, when the Sun aligns perfectly with Chicago’s street grid, creating a stunning visual spectacle that resembles that of the Stonehenge monument, but with the modern twist involving the buildings of the Windy City.

What is Chicagohenge?

Chicagohenge gets its name from the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, located in England, which aligns with the Sun during the solstices. In Chicago, this event occurs because of the city’s precise grid layout, where streets line up almost perfectly from east to west, allowing the rising and setting sun to align with them during the equinoxes.

An equinox is the time of year when day and night are nearly the same length throughout the world. This occurs twice a year, in March and September, when the Sun is directly over the Earth’s equator. During an equinox, the tilt of the Earth’s axis favors neither the northern nor the Southern Hemisphere, resulting in an even distribution of sunlight. This phenomenon marks the beginning of spring in March and the beginning of autumn in September in the Northern Hemisphere, with the opposite occurring in the Southern Hemisphere. During this time, the Sun rises exactly in the east and sets the same way in the west, so it aligns perfectly with the streets of Chicago.

A phenomenon similar to Chicagohenge can also be observed in Manhattan. Known as Manhattanhenge, this event occurs due to the grid layout of the city and the position of the Sun during the Earth’s orbit. The Earth’s axial tilt and orbit cause the Sun to rise and set at different points on the horizon throughout the year. In Manhattan, because the city grid is oriented 30 degrees northeast, the Sun aligns with the city streets on specific days in May and July, rather than coinciding with the equinoxes.

When is Chicagohenge 2025?

Chicagohenge happens on the equinoxes, when day and night are about the same length. In 2025, the event will be visible from March 20-23 and again from September 22-25, during sunrise and sunset.

These are the key times to enjoy the best views:

Spring Chicagohenge

• Thursday, March 20: Sunrise at 6:53 a.m. - Sunset at 7:03 p.m.
• Friday, March 21st: Sunrise at 6:51 a.m. - Sunset at 7:04 p.m.
• Saturday, March 22: Sunrise at 6:50 a.m. - Sunset at 7:05 p.m.
• Sunday, March 23: Sunrise at 6:48 a.m. - Sunset at 7:06 p.m.

Fall Chicagohenge

• Monday, September 22: Sunrise at 6:38 a.m. | Sunset at 6:47 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 23: Sunrise at 6:39 a.m. | Sunset at 6:45 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 24: Sunrise at 6:40 a.m. | Sunset at 6:43 p.m.
• Thursday, September 25: Sunrise at 6:41 a.m. | Sunset at 6:41 p.m.

Best places to see Chicagohenge

To get the best view of Chicagohenge, it is best to position yourself on one of the main east-west streets with a clear view of the skyline. The most popular locations are:

• Wacker Drive
• Kinzie Street
• Madison Street
• Randolph Street
• Chicago River Bridges

For the best experience, it is recommended that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes before sunrise or sunset and position yourself where there are no visual obstructions.