Chicago

Chicago Weather

The weather in Chicago is broadly similar to that in the UK, but with less rain. Rainfall is equally likely throughout the year, with about 11 rainy days per month on average. Summers are fairly hot with averages of about 24°C, and autumn and spring are milder. Winters, though, tend to be colder than in the UK with plenty of snow and monthly averages just under 0°C. Chicago is known as The Windy City, so it may surprise you to find out that wind isn't a constant factor in Chicago life. In fact Chicago is not significantly more windy than other US cities, but sometimes it may seem like it is!

Chicago's Tourist Season

The city is popular year-round and particularly from spring through to autumn. Accommodation tends to get booked up when major conferences are in town so if you're finding everything is fully booked being flexible on your holiday dates can help get a better deal. The snowfall in winter tends to stem the influx of tourists somewhat but if you love sightseeing in the freezing cold then this is the cheapest time to go.

Events in Chicago

It's almost impossible to visit Chicago when there isn't an event or festival happening in one part of the city or another, so check out some local websites before you book to see if anything catches your eye. Larger events tend to happen in the summer, with the famous Taste of Lincoln Avenue in Grant Park in July. Music festivals abound too with Blues Fest and Gospel Fest in June, Lollapalooza in August, and Jazz Fest in early September.