Chicagohenge Event

Chicago is a city that has perfectly blended stone and steel with the beauty of nature through our parks, lake and other nature preserves. This month, Chicagoans will be treated with our bi-annual phenomenon “Chicagohenge” that combines our City and the movement of our planet through the cosmos. As we near the Vernal Equinox on March 10^th, the sunrise and sunset will align perfectly with East and West streets, providing an unobstructed view of the sun as it rises and sets between buildings.

Wondering how this works? We can thank the Public Land Survey System created in 1785 that was mainly used for selling properties in the most convenient way. With streets running at right angles to one another; we get the grid system, making navigation in the city easier and more convenient. Our streets also line up near perfectly with the East and West cardinal directions, making Chicagohenge even more possible.

As we approve the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, our blue planet reaches the point where both Northern and Southern hemispheres receive equal amounts of day and night times. During this time, the sun rises and sets precisely to the East and West.

Chicagohenge got its name from the famous Stonehenge which also features unique alignments with the Spring and Autumn equinoxes.

Viewing this cosmic and terrestrial event is easy! The best dates for Chicagohenge this year fall on March 20^th through 23^rd, 2023. Simply walk to any East/West facing street during the sunrise/sunset and enjoy the view. As always, ensure that you protect your eyes and not stare directly in the sun! You don’t want to miss the next Chicagohenge in the fall.