{"id":145031,"date":"2025-08-14T12:13:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/145031\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T12:13:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:13:14","slug":"chicago-air-and-water-show-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/145031\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Air and Water Show 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eyes will turn to the skies this weekend for the Chicago Air and Water Show.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know about this year\u2019s show: how to get to the lakefront (or avoid it), weather conditions, a full lineup of performers and more.<\/p>\n

Will admission be charged?<\/p>\n

No, the event is free.<\/p>\n

Where does the show take place?<\/p>\n

North Avenue Beach<\/a>\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n

When does the show take place?<\/p>\n

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Rehearsal is scheduled for Friday.<\/p>\n

The beaches will open at 6 a.m., but there are no public seating areas and parking is not available at North Avenue Beach.<\/p>\n

Who are the performers?
\n\"U.S.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)<\/p>\n

The schedule is subject to change and determined on show days. The lineup includes:<\/p>\n

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds:<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights:<\/b><\/a> Appearing here since the 1960s \u2014 when they would land in Lake Michigan \u2014 this team of soldiers has jumped with David Ross, former Cubs catcher and manager, actor Vince Vaughn and comedian Bill Murray.<\/p>\n

\"StaffStaff 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)<\/p>\n

Other Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard demonstrations: <\/b>A-10 Thunderbolt II; C-17 Globemaster III; KC-135 Stratotanker; 122nd Fighter Wing and 434th Air Refueling Wing; 182nd Airlift Wing<\/p>\n

U.S. Marine Corps.:<\/b> MV-22 Osprey; Air Station New River<\/p>\n

U.S. Coast Guard:<\/b> Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration<\/p>\n

\"KevinKevin 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)<\/p>\n

Civilians:<\/b> Chicago Fire Department Air and Sea Rescue Unit; Chicago Police Department helicopter; Kevin Coleman; Susan Dacy; Ed \u201cHamster\u201d Hamill; Tom Larkin (Mini Jet Airshows); Bob Richards (Muscle Biplane Machaira); Bill Stein; and Warbird Thunder<\/p>\n

Pedestrians:<\/b>\u00a0Bridges, 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.<\/p>\n

Public transportation:<\/b>\u00a0Extra service and capacity will be provided throughout the weekend. Use\u00a0Regional Transportation Authority\u2019s Trip Planner tool<\/a>\u00a0to map your route. It\u2019s recommended passengers purchase tickets ahead of time or through the\u00a0Ventra app<\/a>\u00a0to avoid long lines.<\/p>\n

Chicago Transit Authority and getting there by \u2018L\u2019:<\/b>\u00a0The CTA will provide extra service on some lines, but the\u00a0No. 72 North Avenue<\/a>\u00a0bus will be rerouted. Take the\u00a0Red Line<\/a>\u00a0to 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\u2019s Sedgwick station.<\/p>\n

Metra:<\/b>\u00a0Extra service will be provided on\u00a0four of Metra\u2019s 11 lines<\/a>\u00a0with expanded passenger capacity, too, during the weekend. Customers disembarking at Metra\u2019s Union Station or Millennium Park Station can board CTA\u2019s No. 151 buses to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. Alcohol is prohibited and bicycles might not be accommodated all day Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n

Bike:<\/b> Bringing your own bike? Bikes are allowed on the beach. Renting one? Divvy\u2019s closest station to North Avenue Beach is at DuSable Lake Shore Drive and North Boulevard. Plan your ride at\u00a0divvybikes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Parking:<\/b> No parking is available at show central. Millennium Garages\u2019 four, underground locations offer\u00a0discounted online parking packages<\/a> 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<\/a>\u00a0also offers nearby parking options.<\/p>\n

What can I bring to North Avenue Beach?
\n\"AnAn 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)<\/p>\n

All bags will be searched upon entry.<\/p>\n

What you can bring to the show:<\/b><\/p>\n