CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --The 64th annual Chicago Air and Water Show is happening this weekend. Here's everything you need to know in advance from parking to performers to how to get there.
When is the show?
This year's show will be held August 19-20 from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where can I see the show?
The show can be viewed from North Avenue Beach and along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street. There are no public seating areas provided, but attendees can sit or stand on the sand or grass areas in the park.
What is the admission cost?
Admission is free.
Who will be performing?
Headliners of the 2023 show include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. This will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ first appearance in Chicago since 2018.
Other military performers include:
U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, U.S.Air Force Heritage Flight Demo Team, U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Demo Team ,U.S. Air Force/Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II, U.S. Air Force/Air National Guard KC-135E Stratotanker, U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet “Rhino” Demo Team, U.S.
Navy Legacy Flight Demo Team, and U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin Search & Rescue Demo.
Civilian performers include: Susan Dacy, Bill Stein, Kevin Coleman, Rob Holland, Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue, and the Chicago Police Department Helicopter.
How do I get there?
Public transportation is highly-recommended for those attending the show. The Chicago Transit Authority will have extended routes and additional buses and trains for the show.
Those who wish to take CTA trains can get to the show via Red Line trains from Chicago/State or Clark/Division stations, which are within walking distance of the beach.
Those who take the Pink, Orange and Green lines can ride downtown and transfer to the Red Line at State/Lake. Riders can also transfer from the Red Line at North/Clybourn, the Blue Line at Damen or the Brown Line at Sedgwick to connect to #72 North Avenue buses that will supplement regular service along North Avenue from California to Clark.
Supplemental bus service will be provided on #151 Sheridan routes as well. #72 buses only will travel as far east as North Avenue and Clark. Buses on the #145 Wilson/Michigan Express, #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express and #147 Outer Drive Express routes operate to Michigan and Delaware and are within walking distance of the beach.
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Riders also can take the #22 Clark or #36 Broadway routes to North and Clark, which is within walking distance of the beach. Riders getting off at Metra’s Union Station or Millennium Park Station can take #151 buses to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. The #151 buses also are within walking distance of the Ogilvie Transportation Center and the LaSalle Street Metra station. More information can be found here.
Metra will provide extra trains on the BNSF, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines on both days of the show. On other lines with weekend service, Chicago area residents can use the regular weekend schedules to get downtown for the show. Full schedules for the extra service and regular service on each line are available here.
If traveling by car, drivers should be aware that there is no parking available at the beach and there is limited parking available at Lincoln Park Zoo. Parking is available at Millennium Park Garage, which will offer a pre-purchase discount and free shuttles to North Avenue Beach. Additional information on Millennium Park Garage’s Air and Water Show parking and shuttle services can be found here.
Pick up and drop off is at the North Avenue north bound entrance to Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. If attendees plan to be dropped off, they are advised to be dropped off away from the entrance to North Avenue Beach and walk in to avoid traffic congestion.
Is the show accessible for viewers with special needs?
Audio description for those who are visually impaired will be available both days of the show via a dial-in Zoom number, which can be found here or by joining the zoom meeting.
WBBM Newsradio will have live coverage of the Air and Water Show. Visit wbbmnewsradio.com/airshow for all of our online coverage. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for all of the live videos, photos and more.
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