‘It’s the worst': Chicago locals review famous air and water show after first look

Chicago's having its annual air and water show this weekend. Locals will be able to see planes flying around the city.

Published on: Aug 14, 2025, 22:01:42 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Chicago's having its annual air and water show this weekend. Locals will be able to see planes flying around the city. The event over Lake Michigan is set for August 16 and 17, with over one million spectators expected to attend, organizers said.

Chicago will have its annual air and water show this weekend (Unsplash)

However, locals aren't too happy about the Chicago Air and Water Show. One person tweeted, ‘It is the worst’, just ahead of the event.

“i do not know a SINGLE person that lives in the city of chicago that enjoys the air & water show. not a soul,” another person noted on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Just remembered it’s the air and water show this weekend and 90% of chicagoans forget it exists every single year….. very excited for all of the posts in neighborhood facebook groups asking if we’re getting bombed,” a third person tweeted.

Chicago Air and Water Show 2025: Dates, Times, Location, and Lineup

Event Dates & Rehearsals

The 2025 Chicago Air and Water Show will take place on August 16 and 17.

Rehearsals are scheduled for August 15, allowing enthusiasts to catch a preview of the performances.

Show Timings

The main program runs from 10:30 AM to 3 PM. on both Saturday and Sunday.

The exact daily lineup is finalized by the pilots on the morning of the show, so schedules may vary.

Where to Watch

Main Viewing Spot: North Avenue Beach serves as the central hub for the event.

Lakefront Views: Spectators can enjoy the show anywhere along the shoreline from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street.

Special Vantage Points: Rooftop bars, waterfront restaurants, and lake cruises offer premium viewing experiences, with Choose Chicago listing several recommended locations.

Aircraft take off and land at Gary/Chicago International Airport in Gary, Indiana.

Safety Measures

All stunts are performed over a designated safety zone above the water.

Flights over buildings occur only as part of flight paths to or from the performance area or airport.

Organizers emphasize that the event is run with strict safety protocols before, during, and after the show.

Headline Performers for 2025

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights

Full Performer Lineup (subject to change)

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-10s – 104th Fighter Squadron

U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Demo – Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365

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

Chicago Police Department Helicopters

Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue

Marine Corps Air Station New River

Indiana Air National Guard – 122nd Fighter Wing

Indiana Air National Guard – 182nd Airlift Wing

U.S. Air Force Reserve – 434th Air Refueling Wing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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