Blue Angels Practice
With planes swirling in the sky and boats racing through the water, the Chicago Air & Water Show is the most spectacular event of the Summer. Scheduled for August 20 and 21, 2022, this year’s show celebrates over 60s years of dazzling stunts over the iconic Chicago skyline.
The largest and oldest free air and water show in the country, Chicago Air & Water Show supplies another excuse to head to the city’s beaches and lakefront to enjoy the excitement. The impressive list of performers includes the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Royal Air Force Red Arrows, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo.
The show runs from 10-2 pm on both days but arrive extra, extra early because the crowds start gathering around 7 am. North Avenue and Oak Street Beaches are the favorite viewing spots but the smaller Ohio Street Beach and Belmont Harbor offer great panoramas as well. If you don’t want sand on your toes, try Theater On The Lake or Navy Pier for good vantage points.
Check out our guide to the city’s beaches for details on where to park your chair:
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Chicago on the Cheap tips:
- If you’re just interested in the “Air” part of the show skip the crowds at the beach. Most of the planes flying in the show take off and land at the Gary International Airport in Gary, Indiana.
- This flight path requires them to fly in from the south. They won’t be performing their routines but they will be flying in formation as they pass over downtown, buzzing buildings and flying low over the lake before they head north to North Avenue.
- Find a friend who lives in a high rise along the lakefront or who has an office along the lakefront.
Chicago Air & Water Show
Chicago Lakefront, Oak Street to Fullerton
August 20-21, 2022, 10-2 pm
Free
