Water skiers, games and a diving competition filled the city’s first air and water show in 1959, which was a celebration for kids in the Chicago Park District’s day camp program. It was produced for just $88.
More than 60 years later, organizers expect about 2 million people at lakefront beaches to watch aerobatic feats in the sky and simulated rescue operations in the water at the first full show since 2019.
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[ 3 ways for people (and pets) to survive the noise of Chicago’s Air and Water Show ]
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21.
Expect highs in the 70s to mid-80s this weekend with a chance of scattered thunderstorms.
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In case of severe weather: Temporary shelter from rain, high winds, lightning or hail is available at various nearby underpass (Diversey Harbor, Fullerton Avenue and LaSalle Drive) and pedway locations (Division Street, Scott Street, Oak Street and Chicago Avenue).
The schedule is subject to change and determined on show days. The lineup includes:
- U.S. Navy Blue Angels: More than 100 crew members — including enlisted members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines — pilot and maintain eight F/A-18 Hornets, of which six will perform, and C-130 “Fat Albert.” The team’s signature aerial maneuvers include diamond and delta formations.
- U.S. Army Golden Knights: Appearing here since the 1960s — when they would land in Lake Michigan — this team of soldiers has jumped with former Cubs catcher and current manager David Ross, actor Vince Vaughn and comedian Bill Murray.
- Other military performers: U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team; U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight with P-51 Mustang; U.S. Air Force Red Horse Mobile Aircraft Arresting Gear Team; U.S. Coast Guard Air and Sea Rescue Demo; U.S. Marines MV-22 Osprey; U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II Demo Team; U.S. Navy Legacy Flight with FG-1D Corsair and A-4B Skyhawk; Illinois Air National Guard KC-135R Stratotanker; Illinois National Guard 183rd Security Forces; and Maryland Air National Guard A-10C Thunderbolt II.
- Civilians: Chicago Fire Department Air and Sea Rescue Unit; Chicago Police Department helicopter; Kevin Coleman; Susan Dacy; Rob Holland; Bill Stein and Triple Time Team.
North Avenue Beach is show center, but good sightlines can be found at Ohio Street Beach and along the lakefront from Fullerton Avenue south to Oak Street Beach. Nearby parks and playing fields are generally less crowded.
Spectators can pay $10 per vehicle for entrance to the parking lot at Gary/Chicago International Airport, where they can watch aircraft take off and land.
Samantha Nelson has compiled a list of lakefront restaurants and bars offering special packages with food and drinks during the show. Also included — how to watch the show from the water.
[ Air and Water Show specials at 8 Chicago venues get you close to the action ]
Herb Hunter is the show announcer based at North Avenue Beach. He’s a former military pilot and United Airlines captain.
Play-by-play coverage will be on WBBM-AM 780 and 105.9 FM.
Nope. The show is free!
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The beaches open at 6 a.m.
Pedestrians: Bridges, tunnels or underpasses at Fullerton Avenue, Division Street, Scott Street, Chicago Avenue, North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach provide easy access to the lakefront and North Avenue Beach.
Public transportation: Extra service and capacity will be provided throughout the weekend. Use Regional Transportation Authority’s Trip Planner tool to map your route. It’s recommended passengers purchase tickets ahead of time or through the Ventra app to avoid long lines.
Chicago Transit Authority and getting there by ‘L’: The CTA will provide extra service on some lines as well as No. 72 North Avenue and No. 151 Sheridan bus routes. Take the Red Line to stations at Chicago/State or Clark/Division, which are within walking distance of show center. The closest CTA station to the North Avenue Beach entrance is the Brown Line’s Sedgwick station.
Metra: Extra service will be provided on four of Metra’s 11 lines with expanded passenger capacity, too, during the weekend. Customers disembarking at Metra’s Union Station or Millennium Park Station can board CTA’s No. 151 buses to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. Alcohol is prohibited and bicycles might not be accommodated all day Saturday and Sunday.
Bike: Bringing your own bike? Bikes are allowed on the beach. Renting one? Divvy’s closest station to North Avenue Beach is at Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive and North Boulevard.
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Valet service is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Additional valet service will be available each day of the show at Navy Pier (Grand Avenue and Streeter Drive) and Theater on the Lake (Fullerton Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive). Plan you ride at divvybikes.com.
Parking: No parking is available at show central. Millennium Garages’s four, underground locations offer discounted online parking packages for purchase in advance and a free shuttle to and from near North Avenue Beach. Pick up and drop off is at the North Avenue northbound entrance to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
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All bags will be searched upon entry.
What you can bring to the show:
- Binoculars
- Bottled water
- Chairs
- Coolers
- Earplugs
- Blankets
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Leave at home:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Balloons and kites
- Drones
- Fireworks
- Flag poles
- Grills
- Illegal substances
- Pets (except service animals)
- Tents and canopies
- Weapons
Vertical green signs with white letters and numbers called pole markers are attached to all light poles along the lakefront.
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Lost? Injured? Witness criminal activity? Look up, call 911 and give the letter/number on the pole nearest your location to help first responders locate you. Or, use the pole marker to let friends and family know where you are.
Sources: Tribune reporting; Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
