Month guide · Chicago · United States
Chicago in November
What November is really like in Chicago: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alanscottwalker, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
November is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 9.7 hours of daylight. Grey and cooling fast, but holiday lights and markets arrive late in the month; good hotel value outside Thanksgiving.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 9.7 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in November
November is the 8th-warmest month in Chicago: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 30 days. Compared with October (17°C (63°F)), November is cooler; by December highs drop to around 2°C (36°F).
- Sunrise (15 November)
- About 06:41
- Sunset (15 November)
- About 16:30
- Daylight
- About 9.7 hours
Autumn (September–November). Warm September days give way to crisp, colourful October; the marathon and Open House Chicago are highlights, and it turns grey by November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, November rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes November one of the better-value months to book.
Events in November
- Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (usually the Saturday before Thanksgiving)
- Christkindlmarket German Christmas market opens in Daley Plaza (usually mid-to-late November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in November
With cold days, 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
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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 9°C, lows near 1°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is November a good time to visit Chicago?
A good-value 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 November a good time to visit Chicago?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Grey and cooling fast, but holiday lights and markets arrive late in the month; good hotel value outside Thanksgiving.
+How warm is Chicago in November?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Chicago in November?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.