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American Airlines
Chicago Air & Water Show
August 16, 2025
More...The Experience
Redeem AAdvantage® miles to enjoy the iconic annual summer spectacle from the VIP Hospitality tent where you will enjoy lunch, refreshments, and reserved beachside seating near the show center.
The City of Chicago and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will present the 2025 Chicago Air & Water Show on Aug. 16 and 17 along the lakefront from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as the show center from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. First held in 1959, the 66th Chicago Air & Water Show remains the largest free-admission event of its kind. This year's headliners include the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Taking place along Chicago's iconic lakefront, the Chicago Air & Water Show brings together military and civilian performers, presenting world-class aerial demonstration teams and pilots.
Featured military performers for the 2025 event include:
- 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 include:
- 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
For more information and to view the full list of performers, visit chicagoairandwatershow.us.
Public parking is not available at North Avenue Beach and attendees are encouraged to use public transportation. Pick-up and drop-off will be available at the northbound entrance of the DuSable Lake Shore Drive, depending on crowd size.
Details
- Exclusive to American Airlines AAdvantage® Mastercard® credit cardmembers
- When: August 16, 2025
- Time: 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM CST
- Where: North Avenue Beach
- Parking is not included.
- Kids 5 years of age and older require their own admission ticket.
- Guests will receive an email with event details one week prior to the event.
- Guests will check-in under their name at the registration tent on the day of the event. Wristbands will be distributed for access to the VIP Hospitality tent.
- By clicking "Waitlist", you agree to all our Terms of Use and Terms & Conditions
- Limited to 2 per person, subject to possessing a valid email
Fine Print
- This experience may not be resold elsewhere and is considered non-cancellable, not subject to returns, or exchanges and is non-refundable
- This experience is only available for purchase with miles
