Eyes will turn to the skies this weekend for the Chicago Air and Water Show.
One million or more spectators are expected along the lakefront Aug. 16-17 to watch demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and a variety of other civilian and military aircraft.
Here’s what to know about this year’s show: how to get to the lakefront (or avoid it), weather conditions, a full lineup of performers and more.
Will admission be charged?
No, the event is free.
Where does the show take place?
North Avenue Beach is show center, but good sight lines 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.
When does the show take place?
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Rehearsal is scheduled for Friday.
The beaches will open at 6 a.m., but there are no public seating areas and parking is not available at North Avenue Beach.
Who are the performers?
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform during the Chicago Air and Water show near North Avenue Beach on Aug. 20, 2023 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
The schedule is subject to change and determined on show days. The lineup includes:
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds: Founded 72 years ago, the demonstration team has performed here since 1960. More than 120 enlisted members prepare and service eight F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Six perform formation flying and solo routines during a typical demonstration.
U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights: Appearing here since the 1960s — when they would land in Lake Michigan — this team of soldiers has jumped with David Ross, former Cubs catcher and manager, actor Vince Vaughn and comedian Bill Murray.
Staff Sgt. Nickolas Orozco, of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, leaps out of an airplane during a practice jump for the Chicago Air and Water Show on Aug. 18, 2023. (Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune)
Other Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard demonstrations: A-10 Thunderbolt II; C-17 Globemaster III; KC-135 Stratotanker; 122nd Fighter Wing and 434th Air Refueling Wing; 182nd Airlift Wing
U.S. Marine Corps.: MV-22 Osprey; Air Station New River
U.S. Coast Guard: Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration
Kevin Coleman flies a Red Bull aerobatic plane during the Chicago Air and Water Show on Aug. 10, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Civilians: Chicago Fire Department Air and Sea Rescue Unit; Chicago Police Department helicopter; Kevin Coleman; Susan Dacy; Ed “Hamster” Hamill; Tom Larkin (Mini Jet Airshows); Bob Richards (Muscle Biplane Machaira); Bill Stein; and Warbird Thunder
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, but the No. 72 North Avenue bus will be rerouted. Take the Red Line to stations at Chicago/State or Clark/Division, which are within walking distance of show center. Or, take the Blue, Green, Orange, Brown or Pink lines to the downtown area and walk east. 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 DuSable Lake Shore Drive and North Boulevard. Plan your ride at divvybikes.com.
Parking: No parking is available at show central. Millennium Garages’ four, underground locations offer discounted online parking packages for purchase in advance and a free shuttle from Millennium Park Garage, 6 S. Columbus Drive, to and from near North Avenue Beach. Shuttles depart the garage every 20 minutes starting at 9 a.m. Pickup and drop-off is at inner DuSable Lake Shore Drive, half a block south of LaSalle Street. Last shuttle departs for the garage from North Avenue Beach at 3 p.m. Spothero also offers nearby parking options.
What can I bring to North Avenue Beach?
An AH-64 Apache helicopter hovers above Lake Michigan as people watch the Chicago Air and Water Show from the water in the 2300 block of the Lakefront Trail on Aug. 10, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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
What’s the weather forecast?
The forecast calls for hot, humid conditions with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s and heat indices near or above 100 degrees. Sunday has a 6slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, according to the National Weather Service’s Chicago office.
What if it rains?
Nikki Kasper wears a rain poncho during a rain delay at the Chicago Air and Water Show at North Avenue Beach on Aug. 20, 2022, in Chicago. A majority of the civilian aerobatics performances and military flight demonstrations were canceled or abbreviated because of weather. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
It happens. Foggy and wet conditions delayed performances in 2022.
In case of severe weather: Temporary shelter from rain, high winds, lightning or hail is available at various nearby underpasses (Diversey Harbor, Fullerton Avenue and LaSalle Drive) and pedway locations (Division Street, Scott Street, Oak Street and Chicago Avenue).
Can I watch aircraft take off and land?
Yes! Spectators can pay $20 per vehicle for entrance to the parking lot at Gary/Chicago International Airport, where they can watch aircraft take off and land.
How can I listen to the show?
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.
For those who are low vision or blind, there will be an audio description both days of the show that is accessible via Zoom.
What if I encounter a safety issue while at the lakefront?
Vertical green signs with white letters and numbers called pole markers are attached to all light poles along the lakefront.
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
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