It’s that time of year again—the days are beginning to get shorter and shorter as the end of Daylight Saving Time draws nearer.
Well after today, the lack of daylight will only become more apparent—Chicago will observe its last sunset after 6 p.m. until spring 2027.
Here’s what to know.
Chicago’s last post-6 p.m. sunset of 2026
Chicago’s last post-6 p.m. sunset of 2026 will occur at 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, according to Time and Date.
By Wednesday, October 21, the sun will set at 5:59 p.m. Chicago will set the clocks back on Sunday, November 1, at 2 a.m.
After today, we won’t see another post-6 p.m. sunset until we set our clocks forward again on March 14, 2027, at which point the sun will set at 6:49 p.m.
The end of Daylight Saving Time and your health
While less daylight can be an unwelcome change for many, the increased darkness can actually pose some benefits to your health.
The return to Standard Time on November 1 means we gain an hour of sleep.
Additionally, standard time means more sunlight in the morning and less in the evening, which can improve the body’s natural circadian rhythm, according to Northwestern Medicine.
Here are a few tips to protect your sleep and your health around the time change, according to the Sleep Foundation:
- Gradually shift your bedtime – slowly altering your bedtime in the days before the end of Daylight Saving can help you avoid sleep disruption. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends hitting the sack 15-20 minutes earlier than normal to give your body time to adjust.
- Practice relaxation techniques – meditation, deep breathing, and other pre-sleep relaxation activities can help you maintain deep sleep.
- Get plenty of daylight – daylight helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, and during Standard Time when daylight is limited, it’s important to make sure you get as much as you can. Specifically, getting sunlight first thing in the morning can stabilize your internal clock.
