Chicago Air and Water Show – August 15–16, 2015

Are you looking for high-speed aerobatic performances, precision flying, and parachutists jumping at 12,500 feet, obtaining speeds in excess of 120 mph? You need look no further than the annual Chicago Air and Water Show taking place at North Avenue Beach on August 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Headliners this year include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and their F/A-18 Hornets, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs, and Breitling Jet Team. The France-based Breitling Jet Team is making their debut tour in the United States this year, so give them a warm welcome to Chicago! Flying seven L-39C Albatros jets at speeds up to 565 mph in a dive and 466 mph in level flight, Breitling Jet Team is the largest professional civilian team performing with jets. High-speed aerobatic performances, indeed!

The lakefront area from Fullerton Parkway to Oak Street Beach offers great viewing opportunities. Feel free to bring blankets, chairs, and coolers (no alcoholic beverages though) and find a spot to enjoy the show. Food and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. If you like setting up a tent, grilling your own food, and bringing pets, head west to Lincoln Park. You will find plenty of room to set up for the day and several public restrooms nearby (see the map below).

Calling all the action again this year will be Herb Hunter, who has been informing, educating, and entertaining Chicago Air and Water Show audiences for more than 20 years. WBBM Newsradio 780 AM and 105.9 FM will broadcast the show live so everyone can enjoy the play-by-play of the show’s action. WBBM Newsradio will also provide livestream video online.

For show attendees parking at Millennium Garages, free shuttle service between Millennium Park Garage and North Avenue Beach is included with the daily parking fee.

Divvy riders will have access to Divvy’s free Valet Service from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Theater on the Lake (Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Parkway), Lake Shore Drive and North Avenue, and Michigan Avenue and Oak Street stations. The Streeter Drive and Illinois Street (Navy Pier) station will have Valet Service available from 12 noon to 6 p.m. When a station becomes full, a Divvy valet will remove bikes to open up more docks for riders to return bikes.

Here’s a handy checklist to review before heading to the show.

For more information, please visit the City of Chicago’s Chicago Air and Water Show website.