Month guide · Chicago · United States
Chicago in July
What July is really like in Chicago: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Steven Vance, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
July is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 14.9 hours of daylight. Hot and humid, with thunderstorms and the odd heatwave; beaches, rooftop bars and ballgames are at their peak.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in July
July is the warmest month in Chicago: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 19°C (66°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with June (27°C (81°F)), July is warmer; by August highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 July)
- About 05:28
- Sunset (15 July)
- About 20:24
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
Summer (June–August). Hot, humid and packed with free events: festivals in Grant Park, concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion, lakefront beaches and rooftop bars. Prices peak.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, July rates 5 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: July is one of the pricier months.
Events in July
- Independence Day fireworks along the lakefront (4 July)
- Lollapalooza in Grant Park (usually late July or early August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in July
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Viewpoint · The Loop
Willis Tower Skydeck
Check the visibility before buying; low cloud can hide the view completely, and a late-afternoon visit gives you daylight and sunset in one ticket.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
Landmark · Wrigleyville
Wrigley Field
Opened in 1914 and home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, known for its ivy-covered outfield walls, hand-operated scoreboard and rooftop bleachers on the neighbouring buildings.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours for a game
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
Experience · Old Town
The Second City
Stay after the late show for the improv set, where the cast tests new material from audience suggestions.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Couples
- Iconic
.jpg){kind=link}
Viewpoint · Streeterville
360 Chicago observation deck
The observation deck on the 94th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue, the tapering black tower long known as the John Hancock Center, looks straight up the lakefront over Oak Street Beach and the Gold Coast.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 19°C and 10 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is July a good time to visit Chicago?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Chicago in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is July a good time to visit Chicago?
It is a shoulder-season month. Hot and humid, with thunderstorms and the odd heatwave; beaches, rooftop bars and ballgames are at their peak.
+How warm is Chicago in July?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chicago in July?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.