Chicago Air and Water Show 2026: What to know about parking, transit, lineup, prohibited items, more
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The 2026 Chicago Air and Water show will be held along the lakefront on August 15 and 16. There will be a public rehearsal on August 14.
Here's everything you need to know before you go.
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The event began in 1959 and is one of the largest free events of its kind, with over a million spectators coming to watch the show ever year.
Here's what you need to know before you go.
LOCATION, ADMISSION, TRANSPORTATION
WHEN: The Chicago Air and Water Show will be held along the lakefront from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16. Rehearsals will be held on Friday.
ADMISSION: Free
HOW TO WATCH: The show can be viewed at North Avenue Beach and along the lakefront from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street.
PARKING: There is no public parking at the beach over the Chicago Air and Water Show weekend. Millennium Garages offers reservations for special event parking. GEICO is sponsoring a shuttle service from Millennium Garages to North Avenue Beach that will be provided throughout the event.
HOW TO GET THERE: The city encourages using CTA to attend the Air and Water Show. You can use the CTA Trip Planner to get your best route.
If you are driving or using rideshare, pickup and drop off is typically at the North Avenue northbound entrance to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
The city encourages attendees to arrive early and stay through the end of the event if you need pick up and drop off.
CAN I WATCH ON THE WATER? Boaters can typically watch the show from Lake Michigan, in the "Playpen" or out on the lake as long as they avoid the show's restricted zone. That zone is typically delineated by orange "Do Not Enter" buoys and patrolled by the Coast Guard, CPD and CFD.
Divvy is offering a discount to those looking to ride to the show on two wheels.
Riders can use a promo code for two free rides (up to $5 each ride) to make the round trip to the show. The offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 1,000 redemptions. Riders can redeem the offer by entering code DIVVYJETS26 in the Rewards tab of the Lyft or Divvy app. Offer subject to Lyft terms.
Divvy will run valet service - Lyft staff on-site to keep bikes, scooters, and docks available during demand rushes - at five stations on both event days, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Theater on the Lake
- North Avenue Beach Pedestrian Bridge
- DuSable Lake Shore Dr & North Blvd
- Michigan Ave & Oak St
- Navy Pier
The North Avenue Beach station will be closed for the event.
FULL LINEUP OF PERFORMERS
Headliners include the iconic U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights this year.
Featured military performers include:
- U.S Air Force C-17 Demo - 15th Airlift Squadron
- Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 - 126th Air Refueling Wing
- U.S Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo
- F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team
- USMC F-35B Lightning II Demonstration Team
-Four F-16s, including: Arizona Air National Guard's 162 Fighter Wing and 152nd Fighter Squadron.
Civilian stunt performers include:
- Coleman Aerosports - Kevin Coleman
- Super Stearman "Big Red" - Susan Dacy
- Folds of Honor Biplane - Ed Hamill
- Trojan Phlyers Flight Demonstration Team
- Chicago Police Department Helicopters
- Chicago Fire Department Air / Sea Rescue
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
FOOD AND DRINK: Food vendors are located up and down the lakefront.
Attendees are welcome to bring personal coolers with water and ice, as well as their own food and drink. Bags and coolers will be subject to search.
AMENITIES: Restroom facilities are available in the North Avenue Beach House. There are also port-a-pottys throughout the beach area.
A first aid tent is typically located in the parking lot west of the North Avenue Beach House. A lost child tent typically located in the center of the LaSalle Street turnaround.
Free cooling stations are typically set up at the entrance to North Avenue Beach.
OTHER: Portable radios/listening devices, hats, binoculars, chairs, sunscreen and earplugs are all allowed and encouraged. Parents are especially encouraged to bring sunscreen and earplugs for children.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Normal beach security rules apply during the Chicago Air and Water Show. As such, the following items are prohibited:
