Feel the need for speed? The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are returning to Chicago.
The popular aerial demonstration crew — which happens to line up with Chicago Navy Week — will be joined by a variety of other performers including the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, stunt pilot RJ Gritter in his acrobatic Decathlon and Trojan Phlyers’ two T-28B Trojan team at the Chicago Air and Water Show.
At least a million people are expected along the lakefront Aug. 10-11 for the two-day event. The free events are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Lollapalooza takes over Grant Park the week before and the Democratic National Convention follows Aug. 19-22.
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Here’s what else to know.
Will admission be charged?
No, the event is free.
Where does the show take place?
North Avenue Beach is show center, but good sight lines can be found at Ohio Street Beach and along the lakefront from Fullerton Avenue south to Oak Street Beach. Nearby parks and playing fields are generally less crowded.
When does the show take place?
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11. Rehearsal is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 9.
The beaches will open at 6 a.m., but there are no public seating areas or parking available at North Avenue Beach.
Who’s performing each day?
The schedule is subject to change and determined on show days. The lineup includes:
U.S. Navy Blue Angels: More than 100 crew members — including enlisted members of the Navy and Marines — pilot and maintain eight F/A-18 Hornets, of which six will perform, and C-130 “Fat Albert.” The team’s signature aerial maneuvers include diamond and delta formations.
U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights:
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Appearing here since the 1960s — when they would land in Lake Michigan — this team of soldiers has jumped with David Ross, former Cubs catcher and manager, actor Vince Vaughn and comedian Bill Murray.Other Air Force demonstrations: A-10 Thunderbolt II with Maryland Air National Guard; B-1B Lancer; C-17 Globemaster III; KC-46 Pegasus; KC-135E Stratotanker
U.S. Army: AH-64 Apache helicopter
U.S. Marine Corps.: F-35B Lightning II
U.S. Navy: F-35C Lightning II
U.S. Coast Guard: MH-65D Dolphin Search & Rescue
Civilians: RJ Gritter Decathlon Aerobatics; Trojan Phlyers; Kevin Coleman; Susan Dacy; Ed “Hamster” Hamill; Bill Stein
How do I get to North Avenue Beach?
Pedestrians: Bridges, tunnels or underpasses at Fullerton Avenue, Division Street, Scott Street, Chicago Avenue, North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach provide easy access to the lakefront and North Avenue Beach.
Public transportation: Extra service and capacity will be provided throughout the weekend. Use Regional Transportation Authority’s Trip Planner tool to map your route. It’s recommended passengers purchase tickets ahead of time or through the Ventra app to avoid long lines.
Chicago Transit Authority and getting there by ‘L’: The CTA will provide extra service on some lines, but the No. 72 North Avenue bus will be rerouted. Take the Red Line to stations at Chicago/State or Clark/Division, which are within walking distance of show center. Or, take the Blue, Green, Orange, Brown or Pink lines to the downtown area and walk east. The closest CTA station to the North Avenue Beach entrance is the Brown Line’s Sedgwick station.
Metra: Extra service will be provided on four of Metra’s 11 lines with expanded passenger capacity, too, during the weekend. Customers disembarking at Metra’s Union Station or Millennium Park Station can board CTA’s No. 151 buses to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. Alcohol is prohibited and bicycles might not be accommodated all day Saturday and Sunday.
Bike: Bringing your own bike? Bikes are allowed on the beach. Renting one? Divvy’s closest station to North Avenue Beach is at DuSable Lake Shore Drive and North Boulevard. Plan you ride at divvybikes.com.
Parking: No parking is available at show central. Millennium Garages’s four, underground locations offer discounted online parking packages for purchase in advance and a free shuttle from Millennium Park Garage, 6 S. Columbus Drive, to and from near North Avenue Beach. Shuttles depart the garage every 20 minutes starting at 9 a.m. Pick up and drop off is at inner DuSable Lake Shore Drive, half a block south of LaSalle Street. Last shuttle departs for the garage from North Avenue Beach at 3 p.m. Spothero also offers nearby parking options.
What can I bring to North Avenue Beach?
All bags will be searched upon entry.
What you can bring to the show:
- Binoculars
- Bottled water
- Chairs
- Coolers
- Earplugs
- Blankets
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Leave at home:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Balloons and kites
- Drones
- Fireworks
- Flag poles
- Grills
- Illegal substances
- Pets (except service animals)
- Tents and canopies
- Weapons
What’s the weather forecast?
The forecast calls for clouds but also comfortable temperatures with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Saturday looks dry, but Sunday has an almost 60% chance of rain early in the day, according to Accuweather.
What happens if the weather turns cloudy and rainy?
It happens. Foggy and wet conditions delayed performances in 2022.
In case of severe weather: Temporary shelter from rain, high winds, lightning or hail is available at various nearby underpasses (Diversey Harbor, Fullerton Avenue and LaSalle Drive) and pedway locations (Division Street, Scott Street, Oak Street and Chicago Avenue).
Can I watch aircraft take off and land?
Spectators can pay $20 per vehicle for entrance to the parking lot at Gary/Chicago International Airport, where they can watch aircraft take off and land.
How can I listen to the show?
Herb Hunter is the show announcer based at North Avenue Beach. He’s a former military pilot and United Airlines captain.
Play-by-play coverage will be on WBBM-AM 780 and 105.9 FM.
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For those who are low vision or blind, there will be an audio description both days of the show that is accessible via Zoom.
What if I encounter a safety issue while at the lakefront?
Vertical green signs with white letters and numbers called pole markers are attached to all light poles along the lakefront.
Lost? Injured? Witness criminal activity? Look up, call 911 and give the letter/number on the pole nearest your location to help first responders locate you. Or, use the pole marker to let friends and family know where you are.
Sources: Tribune reporting; Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
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