The 2023 Chicago Air and Water Show is set to kick off this weekend, promising a seasonal summer day for thousands of excited spectators. The event, which has become an iconic part of Chicago summers, will take place at the lakefront from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Practice and rehearsals for the show were completed on Friday afternoon, filling the air with the roaring noise of aircraft. However, the weather forecast for the weekend indicates a departure from the comfortable temperatures experienced on Friday. On Saturday, temperatures in the mid-80s accompanied by gusts over 20 miles per hour are expected, along with increasing humidity in the afternoon. Sunday will be even hotter, with the weather being described as “hot, sunny, and humid.” While temperatures near the lakefront will remain in the 80s, the high humidity will make it feel like the low-to-mid 90s.
As organizers expect over one million spectators to attend the show, it is advisable for those planning to go on Sunday to be prepared for the extreme heat. Temperatures away from the lake are predicted to rise into the 90s, with heat indices exceeding 100. While the wind will be lighter on Sunday, there won’t be much relief from the heat.
The Chicago Air and Water Show, which started in 1959 with an $88 budget, has now become one of the largest shows of its kind. It features high-speed civilian and military aircraft, as well as boats, dive teams, and parachute teams. The event is free and offers families an opportunity to spend the day at the beach while enjoying the planes flying over the water against the backdrop of Chicago’s skyline.
All participating aircraft will take off from Gary/Chicago International Airport and perform stunts over a designated area of Lake Michigan. The show organizers have their own air traffic controller overseeing the downtown airspace during the event hours to ensure safety.
The lineup of performers for the show will be determined on the morning of the show by the pilots. However, the Thunderbirds, who are returning for the first time since 2018, are scheduled to perform around 2:15 p.m. for about 40 to 45 minutes each day. Other performers include the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, and various civilian aircraft.
For those attending the show, it is recommended to use public transportation, as there will be no public parking available at the beach. The CTA’s no. 72 bus that usually stops at North Avenue Beach will be rerouted, but discounted pre-purchased parking is available at the Millennium Park Garages, along with a shuttle to inner Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The CTA and Metra will also provide additional routes and services to accommodate the influx of visitors to the lakefront.
More information about the 2023 Chicago Air and Water Show can be found on the City of Chicago’s website.