Chicago Air & Water Show

Schedule

1. Aug 14 — Rehearsal Day (Friday): Free public rehearsal — nearly identical flying to the main show, lighter crowds · 10:30am–3pm
2. Aug 15 — Show Day 1 (Saturday): 10:30am–3pm · lakefront opens 6am · USAF schedule lists the Thunderbirds; full DCASE performer roster pending
3. Aug 16 — Show Day 2 (Sunday): 10:30am–3pm · lakefront opens 6am · USAF schedule lists the Thunderbirds; full DCASE performer roster pending

What to expect

America's largest free airshow has filled Chicago's lakefront since 1959. North Avenue Beach is show center, with viewing from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street. The main shows run Saturday and Sunday, August 15–16, with a public rehearsal Friday, August 14, generally from 10:30am–3pm. As of July 16, DCASE and Choose Chicago still say the full 2026 military and civilian performer lineup is pending. The U.S. Air Force's own schedule lists the Thunderbirds in Chicago August 15–16, but additional performers should not be treated as confirmed until the city publishes the roster.

Tickets

FREE. No tickets, wristbands, or reservations are needed for public lakefront viewing. Boat tours, rooftops, and hospitality packages are optional paid products; verify availability and terms directly with the operator.

Transit

Public transit is strongly recommended. CTA Bus 72 (North) serves North Avenue Beach; Bus 151 (Sheridan) and the Red Line at Clark/Division are useful approaches with a walk. There is no public parking at North Avenue Beach during the event weekend, and nearby traffic restrictions change access — check CTA alerts before leaving.

Bag policy

Open public beach. Bring blankets, chairs, picnic. NO grills. No glass containers on the beach.

Family-friendly

Excellent for kids, but the jets are extremely loud: properly fitted hearing protection is essential for babies and young children. Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, a blanket or chair, and a portable changing pad. The paved lakefront path is stroller-friendly, while the sand is difficult. Restrooms are available at the North Avenue Beach House and in portable facilities along the waterfront.

History

The Chicago Air and Water Show launched in 1959 as the Lake Shore Park Air & Water Show — a modest Park District "Family Day" put together by supervisor Al Benedict on a budget of just $88, featuring a Coast Guard rescue demo, water skiers, and diving. It relocated from its original Navy Pier–adjacent site to North Avenue Beach in the 1980s, where the sand and open shoreline could absorb the growing crowds. Today it draws more than two million spectators across the weekend, making it the largest free-admission air and water exhibition in the United States. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have alternated as headliners for decades; the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team is a perennial crowd favorite.

Local tips

1. The lakefront opens at 6am on show days — claim sand at North Avenue Beach by mid-morning, because the beach is shoulder-to-shoulder well before the 10:30 start.
2. The Friday rehearsal (Aug 14) is the local move: nearly the same flying, a fraction of the crowd, and you can actually stretch out at show center.
3. Bring a portable radio tuned to WBBM 780 AM / 105.9 FM or stream it on the free Audacy app — announcer Herb Hunter's play-by-play tells you what's coming before it screams overhead.
4. Skip the epicenter: Oak Street Beach to the south and the Fullerton end by Theater on the Lake keep full sightlines with noticeably thinner crowds.
5. For real breathing room, watch from Montrose Beach up north or Northerly Island down south — the jets sweep the whole shoreline between passes.
6. Prefer it catered? Rooftops like Offshore at Navy Pier, Cindy's, and The J. Parker book out fast, and North Avenue Beach's ticketed clubs (Shore Club, Castaways) sell weekend viewing parties — reserve before show week.
7. On the water, the Playpen anchorage is its own party — boat restrictions start at 7am, and everyone stays outside the orange "Do Not Enter" buoys marking the Coast Guard–patrolled show box.

Frequently asked questions

Has the official 2026 performer lineup been announced?

Not in full. As of July 16, Choose Chicago still says to check back for the complete military and civilian roster. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds schedule lists Chicago for August 15–16, but additional performers should be treated as unconfirmed until DCASE publishes the city lineup.

Is admission free?

Yes — the Chicago Air and Water Show is completely free. No tickets, no wristbands, no reservations. Just show up along the lakefront between Oak Street Beach and Fullerton Avenue.

Where is the best place to watch?

The prime viewing stretch runs along the lakefront from Oak Street to Fullerton Avenue, with North Avenue Beach (1601 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive) as the focal point. The lakefront opens at 6am on show days and fills quickly — Oak Street Beach and the Fullerton end are roomier. The Friday rehearsal (Aug 14) offers nearly identical flying with much lighter crowds.

What time does the show run?

The aerial performances run 10:30am–3:00pm on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16. A public rehearsal takes place Friday, August 14 at the same hours.

How do I get there by public transit?

CTA Red Line to Chicago/State or Clark/Division, then walk east to the lakefront. The #72 North Avenue and #151 Sheridan buses run close to the beach with extra service on show days, and the #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, and #145/#146/#147 express routes all stop within walking distance. From Metra, board the #151 at Union Station or Millennium Station. There is no parking at North Avenue Beach and only limited parking at Lincoln Park Zoo, so transit is strongly recommended — if you take a rideshare, get dropped away from the beach entrance and walk in.

What should I bring?

Bring a blanket or chairs — no public seating is provided — plus sunscreen, a hat, binoculars, earplugs (especially for kids; the jets are loud), and a portable radio for WBBM's live feed. Coolers and beach umbrellas are allowed, and free cooling buses park at the beach entrance. Bags and coolers are subject to search. Alcohol, grills, pop-up tents, drones, kites, balloons, flag poles, fireworks, and pets (except service animals) are prohibited.

Is the show broadcast on radio?

Yes — WBBM Newsradio 780 AM / 105.9 FM airs live play-by-play coverage both show days from 10:30am to 3pm, free over the air and on the Audacy app. On the beach, longtime official announcer Herb Hunter's commentary carries from Oak Street to Fullerton. Spectators are encouraged to bring a portable radio to follow along.

Is there a set schedule of performers?

No — the program is identical Saturday and Sunday, and the flying order is decided by the pilots on the day of the event. The one constant: the headliners always perform last.

Is the show accessible for visitors with disabilities?

Yes. An accessible beach mat for sand access is set up Saturday and Sunday near Castaways, about two blocks from the vehicle drop-off at the North Avenue entrance and marked with an accessibility symbol. Audio description is offered via Zoom for blind and low-vision guests, and the city recommends enabling captions on the WBBM stream for hard-of-hearing visitors. For other accommodations, email DCASEAccess@cityofchicago.org at least 72 hours ahead.

What amenities are on site at North Avenue Beach?

Food vendors line the lakefront, including at the North Avenue Beach House, which also has restrooms (plus portable facilities throughout the beach). A first aid tent sits at the parking-lot entrance west of the Beach House, and a lost-child tent is stationed at the LaSalle Street turnaround.

Can I watch from the water?

Yes — several operators (City Cruises, Mercury, Wendella, Shoreline Sightseeing, Tall Ship Windy, and others) offer boat-tour viewing packages on Lake Michigan during the show; book early as these sell out. Private boaters can anchor near the Playpen but must stay outside the orange "Do Not Enter" buoys marking the restricted show zone — lake restrictions begin at 7am, life vests are required, and the Coast Guard patrols the box.