Chicago · Month comparison

February vs October

October ranks #1 overall vs February at #12. Chicago Marathon weekend (second Sun in Oct) — 50,000 runners through every neighbourhood.

Snowy Chicago Loop streets in February

February

#12 of 12 months

Avoid

Coldest month statistically — Chicago River dyed green begins planning, museum culture peaks.

  • ↑Hotel rates 40-50% below July; Loop hotels from $120/night
  • ↑Auto Show at McCormick Place (mid-Feb)
Chicago Marathon runners through downtown

October

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Chicago Marathon weekend (second Sun in Oct) — 50,000 runners through every neighbourhood.

  • ↑Chicago Marathon — World Marathon Majors event, the entire city stops to watch
  • ↑Lincoln Park and the lakefront in red-and-gold maple
FactorFebruaryOctober
Weather score
2
9
Value score
9
7
Crowd score
9
7
Events score
5
9
Atmosphere
7
10
Avg high temp1°C17°C
Monthly rain45mm80mm
Daily sunshine5hrs7hrs

February trade-offs

  • ↓-7°C nights with lake-effect snow events
  • ↓Riverwalk and Navy Pier outdoor sections closed

October trade-offs

  • ↓Marathon weekend hotel rates double; Loop streets closed
  • ↓First frost and possible early snow late month
See all 12 months for Chicago →February in detail →October in detail →
Scores compare months within Chicago. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →