When to visit Chicago without the crowds
Chicago (Illinois, United States) is calmest in February, March, April, October and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in May, July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals.
Best months
May & Sep–Oct
When everyone heads home
The second half of September.
Tip
Take the architecture boat tour May to October; in winter the lake wind bites.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3/5 · moderate | 0 °C (32 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 2/5 · calm | 3 °C (37 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 2/5 · calm | 8 °C (46 °F) | |
| April | 2/5 · calm | 12 °C (54 °F) | |
| May | 4/5 · busy | 18 °C (64 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 25 °C (76 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 27 °C (80 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 26 °C (79 °F) | Lollapalooza (early August) |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 24 °C (75 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 17 °C (62 °F) | Chicago Marathon (October) |
| November | 3/5 · moderate | 9 °C (48 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 2/5 · calm | 3 °C (38 °F) | Christmas Day |
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Chicago without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually February, March, April, October and December (crowds 2/5). In October the average high is 17 °C (62 °F). All the calm months: February, March, April, October and December.
When is Chicago most crowded?
The busiest season is May, July and August. The second half of September.
What is the weather like in Chicago?
Average highs range from 0 °C (32 °F) in January to 27 °C (80 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What festivals are there in Chicago?
The main ones: Lollapalooza (early August) (August); Chicago Marathon (October) (October).