Reassure jittery pets that the apocalypse isn’t coming, lather on the sunscreen, dust off the binoculars and head — along with an expected 1 million or so other people — to the lakefront for the 2025 Chicago Air & Water Show.
How to watch the show
The free event, now in its 66th year, runs Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days along the lakefront from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street (if you’re a regular, you know that there are plenty of other places both north and south to catch a glimpse of the high-flying acts).
Who is flying?
This year’s headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. It’s a special year too because 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, an anniversary the show plans to honor this weekend.
Warbird Thunder Airshows will take to the sky and fly the SNJ-2 and SNJ-3, a World War II-era aircraft once used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to train combat pilots for missions in World War II and the Korean War.
“The Chicago Air and Water Show is one of our city’s most beloved summer traditions, bringing together residents and visitors from around the world to enjoy an exciting, family-friendly experience on our beautiful lakefront,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “We are proud to celebrate the incredible skill and dedication of our servicemen and women, while showcasing the very best of Chicago.”
For more information about the show, go to: chicagoairandwatershow.us.
United States Air Force Colonel Nathan Malafa climbs out of his F-16 Fighting Falcon after conducting a site survey of the Chicago lakefront ahead of the Chicago Air and Water Show, at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Stunt pilot Ed Hamill stands next to the “Folds of Honor” biplane he’s flown for three years during media day for the Chicago Air and Water Show at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A United States Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon lands at Gary/Chicago International Airport after conducting their site survey of the Chicago lakefront ahead of the Chicago Air and Water Show, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
United States Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcons take off in formation to conduct their site survey of the Chicago lakefront ahead of the Chicago Air and Water show, at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III is parked at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
United States Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcons taxi at Gary/Chicago International Airport after conducting their site survey of the Chicago lakefront ahead of the Chicago Air and Water Show, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Four members of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds walk towards Gary/Chicago International Airport’s main building after conducting a site survey of the Chicago lakefront ahead of the Chicago Air and Water Show, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A United States Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon slows to its parking spot at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Stunt pilot Susan Dacy stands next to her plane named “Big Red” during media day for the Chicago Air and Water Show at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III lands at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind. The flight commander of this aircraft is Lake Forest resident Tim Wilson.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
United States Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcons take off in formation to conduct their site survey of the Chicago lakefront ahead of the Chicago Air and Water show, at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
United States Air Force Colonel Nathan Malafa stands next to the aircraft he’ll be flying at the Chicago Air and Water Show at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A United States Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis at Gary/Chicago International Airport after conducting their site survey of the Chicago lakefront ahead of the Chicago Air and Water Show, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Pilot Tom Larkin stands next to his Mini Jet during media day for the Chicago Air and Water Show at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind. This is Larkins’ and the Mini Jet’s first time flying in the Chicago Air and Water Show.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Flight crews work to maintain the United State Air Force Thunderbird’s F-16 Fighting Falcons after they landed at Gary/Chicago International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Gary, Ind.
|
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
What are the featured airplanes and performers?
Military performers
- U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
- U.S. Army Parachute Team — Golden Knights
- U.S. Air Force C-17 Demo — 15th Airlift Squadron
- Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 — 126th Air Refueling Wing
- Maryland Air National Guard A-10’s — 104th Fighter Squadron
- U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo
- U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 (Osprey) Demo
- Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365
Civilian performers
- Bill Stein Airshows
- Coleman Aerosports — Kevin Coleman
- Folds of Honor Biplane — Ed Hamill
- Mini Jet Airshows — Tom Larkin
- Muscle Biplane Machaira — Bob Richards
- Super Stearman “Big Red” — Susan Dacy
- Warbird Thunder Airshows
Additional performers and support
- Chicago Police Department Helicopters
- Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue
- Arresting Gear
- AFOPS, MWSS-272
- MACG-28, 2d MAW
- Marine Corps Air Station New River
- Indiana Air National Guard — 122nd Fighter Wing
- Illinois Air National Guard — 182nd Airlift Wing
- U.S. Air Force Reserve — 434th Air Refueling Wing
Related Posts:
- Chris Young to headline inaugural OC Smoke Show in San Juan Capistrano News Country star Chris Young will headline the debut OC Smoke Show, taking place Saturday, Aug. 16, at The Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano. The single-day festival, produced by Activated Events, combines live music with a barbecue festival, featuring local BBQ vendors, over 101 curated whiskies, craft beer, line dancing,…
- Lakeview apartment windows shatter from jets practicing for Air and Water Show Uncategorized The lobby windows of an apartment building in Lakeview were shattered Friday morning from jets practicing for the the city’s annual Air and Water Show, officials said. Chicago police said they received 3-1-1 call about 10:20 a.m. that four windows of a building in the 3100 block of North Lake…
- Windows shattered at Lake View condo buildings from jets practicing for Air and Water Show News Windows shattered in the lobbies of at least three Lake View condo buildings Friday as jets practiced for the annual Chicago Air and Water Show, residents said. Some residents said they felt strong vibrations and a sudden jolt as U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practiced over buildings in the 3100, 3600…
- New Air Force policy denies transgender troops hearings before they’re discharged News By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force says in a new memo that transgender airmen ousted under a recent Trump administration directive will no longer have the chance to argue before a board of their peers for the right to continue serving their country. Related Articles FACT FOCUS:…
- New Air Force policy denies transgender troops hearings before they’re discharged News By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force says in a new memo that transgender airmen ousted under a recent Trump administration directive will no longer have the chance to argue before a board of their peers for the right to continue serving their country. Related Articles Trump tax…
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
