LoupeLabMoon Phase in Chicago Today
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · United States
First Quarter
37% illuminated
Tonight’s Moon in Chicago
Best viewing at 6:30 PM facing S · 23° above horizon
The Moon & Chicago
low winter moon tracks high across the sky
Lunar Culture in Chicago
Chicago's Adler Planetarium, the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere (1930), has a long tradition of public moon observation events. The planetarium's Doane Observatory opens for lunar viewing nights throughout the year. Native Potawatomi traditions in the region named each full moon: the Strawberry Moon in June, the Sturgeon Moon in August.
How the Moon Affects Chicago
While Lake Michigan has no ocean tides, it does experience small lunar tides of 3-5 centimeters, measurable with sensitive instruments. More practically, Chicago's fishing community on the lakefront and the Des Plaines River system times walleye and bass activity around moon phases, with full moon periods considered prime for night fishing.
Best Moon Viewing in Chicago
The lakefront between Montrose Harbor and North Avenue Beach offers an unobstructed eastern horizon for moonrise. In winter, the full moon rises over a frozen lake for dramatic viewing.
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Upcoming Lunar Events
Full MoonHunter's Moon
Monday, October 26, 2026
New Moon
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Full MoonBeaver Moon
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
New Moon
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Full MoonCold Moon
Wednesday, December 23, 2026
New Moon
Thursday, January 7, 2027
Moonphase Watches & Chicago
Set Your Moonphase Watch in Chicago
To set your moonphase complication in Chicago: wait for the next full moon (Monday, October 26), then advance the moonphase disc to show a full moon centered in the aperture. Set the time to 1:55 PM local time. Use our drift calculator to check if your complication has drifted since you last set it.
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