Ultimate Guide to the 2018 Chicago Air and Water Show

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Summertime in Chicago is full of wonderful festivals and events that gain worldwide attention. One of those events is the Chicago Air and Water Show! The 2018 Chicago Air and Water Show is booked for Saturday, August 18th and  Sunday, August 19th. Open from 10 AM to 3 PM on both days, the Show will be at North Avenue Beach which is located at 1600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613. And of course, it’s FREE! This year is also the 60th anniversary, so be sure to attend as it will be filled with tons of surprises!

Every two years, the Blue Angels from the U.S Navy, the Thunderbirds from the U.S. Airforce, the Golden Knights U.S. Army Parachute Team, and the Leap Frogs from the U.S. Navy, all headline as the main events for the show, and put on a true spectacle for all to witness. For those who are a little nervous about attending such an event, they make the area very safe. The performing pilots and their planes don’t come anywhere near the spectating crowd on the shoreline, and fly a good distance out over the water. If you have been wanting to attend the show, this year is the year to go! This guide will help you understand all the exhibits, history, safety features, and all the info you need to have a good time.

Where to view the Air & Water Show

Held each year since 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show is one of Chicago’s most attended events of the year. It is estimated that more than 2,200,000 individuals have attended the Chicago Air and Water Show since 2005! That’s a lot of people and it can make finding a spot at North Ave Beach difficult to find. Here are some other spots you can enjoy the show:

Bars & Rooftops

J. Parker – Rooftop bar on the 14th floor of the Lincoln Hotel that has unobstructed views of the lakefront right where the action is. We love this place when the Air & Water Show isn’t taking place and it only gets better with it!

Caffe Oliva – Right at Oak St Beach (just south of North Ave Beach), call 312-612-0734 to explore your options for their viewing party.

Signature Room at the 95th – Probably not your cheapest option, but you’re not going to find many other parties 95 floors above the street. $175/pp for one day, call 312-280-0465 for reservations.

boats

Odyssey Cruises – One of the largest and most popular boat companies in Chicago. if you’re a local you might have even spent time on this after one of your proms (like I did!). Hard to beat being on the water during the show and they make it easy. Prices start at $65.90 and you can buy tickets online

Spirit Cruises – Same company as the Odyssey (the company operates A LOT of the boats in Chicago). Their cruises include a brunch buffet and have live entertainment on board. If you’re really itching for something before the show starts they offer cruises on Thursday and Friday where you can catch the practice runs.

What can I bring?

All big events like this one prohibit certain items from entering the area for the safety of yourself and others. Weapons, alcohol, and tents/canopies are prohibited from beach grounds. Kites and balloons are also banned from this event, as are flag poles as they may interfere with the visibility of the performers. BBQ grills, fireworks, campfires, and anything that causes smoke are also prohibited for this very reason. Remember to keep this in mind when you are planning your trip!

Here is what you can bring:

  • Blankets
  • Umbrellas
  • Folding Chairs
  • Coolers

If you still have some questions check out the City of Chicago’s Air & Water Show FAQ page.

More Tips

  • Make sure to bring a bottle of sunscreen as it can be hot and the sun will most likely be out
  • Earplugs might be a good idea for children who have more sensitive hearing. Toddlers may also benefit from these as it does get noisy
  • Make sure to bring a bottle of water as well as some snacks for your time here
  • Remember that vendors will be selling food and drinks as well.
  • Sunglasses are a good idea so everyone can look up without getting their eyes irritated by the bright sky.
  • Binoculars can be helpful for those who have vision problems

How do they keep it so safe (quite interesting)

As far as safety goes, this is a top priority for the managers of this event. Gary/Chicago International Airport in Gary, Indiana fills in as the air terminal for all the planes. The pilots are required to perform stunts only within the selected territory beforehand (Despite the fact that planes do fly over structures since it in its flight path, regulation takes place to ensure safety for the city of Chicago). FAA and other City Departments work with coordinators to guarantee the wellbeing of all those involved. Morning gatherings are held with pilots and air staff every day to guarantee that they each get briefed on flight baths, weather, safety, and any changes that might occur to work towards safe flights.

Spectator safety and accessibility is also well thought out. There are special watching areas for spectators that were deemed safe by all the managers so one can enjoy the show while being safe! There are also many features for those with disabilities. Those who are in wheelchairs or need special assistance! These include special mats that help you guide your wheelchair along the sand. For those in walkers, this path can also be used to make getting to your seating zone easier. For those who are deaf, a sign language interpreter will be present to help those who are deaf enjoy the show and get all of the information they need. They also have special up-front seating for those with vision impairments.

Who is in the show this year?

An official exhibit list is not yet available from the city of Chicago and the schedule usually changes up every year. In fact, this event does not have a set schedule for spectators, making this event more fun and surprising! In the previous years, we have seen amazing exhibits from the Blue Angels who, since 1946, have been one of the most popular flight groups in the country.

If you are planning on attending, there are several main types of exhibits to expect. Expect to see old military vehicles, modern military vehicles and planes, amazing boats in the water, old-fashioned civilian planes, jets, stealth fighter pilots, helicopters, parachutes and even wartime military equipment! There is so much here that there is always something for everyone.

Military jets also fly out from different bases all across the US and time their flights perfectly to arrive just in time.

aviator slang event

In addition to all the great pilots performing, there are a host of other activities to enjoy as well. This year, one main feature is the ‘Aviator Slang’ event. Tune in to this exhibition to learn all the same lingo that fighter pilots actually use during their flights. If that wasn’t enough already, this family-friendly event also features a plethora of shops that contain a variety of products. In total there are anywhere from 100-500 vendors each year.

Food

There is nothing like a beach picnic during the Chicago air show! The show does take place during lunch time so be prepared to have a meal here. There will be vendors available from all over the Chicago area. This makes things easier if you don’t want to pack your own food. Just remember that grills are not allowed. The smoke can obstruct viewing for spectators and possibly performers.

Transportation 

If you are not from Chicago getting around can be hard. Getting a hotel close to North Avenue beach for the show is a good option so you can walk to the show! The Lincoln hotel mentioned earlier is a good option. You can also rent a car if you do not have your own and park near North Avenue beach, but If not, public transportation is available to get you near the beach, but keep in mind there is no direct stop on North Avenue Beach. One great option for getting to where you need to be is Uber or using a taxi. That way you can save on parking and get to the show on time!

Fun Facts

  • Over 2 million people watch the show every year, either in person or streaming online.
  • Many of the of the planes take off and land at the Gary Jet Center in Gary, Indiana, just a short distance from Chicago
  • Other planes fly in from bases around the midwest and time their flights to be there at the exact right time
  • Now 60 years old, it is the largest and longest running free show of its kind in the United States
  • Thanks to corporate sponsors such as Shell, American Airlines, Boeing, WBBM, ABC 7, Oracle, and the Chicago Tribune, the show is free!
  • Herb Hunter, the announcer of the show for over 20 years, was a pilot in the show before getting this job. He used to fly a USAF KC-135.
  • At the old version of the show, the Golden Knights parachuters had no beach to land on so the Chicago Park District Lifeguards had to be in the water to get them out!
  • 14 different federal and local agencies work simultaneously to put the show on every year.
  • All stunts are performed in a designated area for safety.

Between all the aircraft performing above you, and the vendors displaying their wares, and everything else mentioned, it’s easy for anyone to unwind and have a good time! On top of that, remember, there’s no cost to attend! This year is the 60th anniversary and it will be the biggest show yet. For all those who have been wanting to attend for years, this year is the year. Do not miss out on this or you will regret it!