The Chicago Air and Water Show is one of the city’s most spectacular and beloved summer events. A longstanding tradition for more than six decades, this Lake Michigan spectacle is the largest free show of its kind in the country.
The 65th annual event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with practice flyovers on Friday, Aug. 15.
Looking for a spot to catch the show? We’ve got you covered with waterfront watch parties, the best beaches, stunning rooftop bars, and more. Check out the top places to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show 2025.
Chicago beaches
The city’s gorgeous lakefront beaches are one of the best places to catch the Chicago Air and Water Show.
The prime viewing location will be on the free lakefront beaches between Oak Street and Fullerton Avenue, which includes:
- North Avenue Beach: One of Chicago’s largest and most popular beaches, this is one of the most iconic spots to watch the Air and Water Show.
- Oak Street Beach: Just a little south from North Avenue beach, Oak Street Beach will offer excellent views of the show and nearby skyline.
- Ohio Street Beach: This smaller beach is tucked away just north of Navy Pier, where you can access the Pier’s entertainment and enjoy the sights of the Air and Water Show.
Both beaches are home to waterfront restaurants, sweeping skyline and waterfront views, and plenty of sandy and grassy areas to kick back and relax. Bring a lawn chair and find a spot to watch the show!
Restaurants near Lake Michigan
Chicago’s sandy lakefront is dotted with restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a meal or a cocktail with your toes in the sand. These spots near Lake Michigan are offering watch parties for this year’s Air and Water Show. Make sure to get your tickets early!
- Castaways: You won’t get much closer to the action than at Castaways, the iconic blue and white boat house on the sands of North Avenue beach. The Castaways viewing party will run all weekend long and feature an open bar with beer, wine, and frozen cocktails, plus a buffet and an ice cream bar cart. Tickets start at $199.
- Shore Club: Located directly on North Avenue beach, Shore Club is the perfect option for those wanting to elevate their experience and be in the center of all the action. Their annual Air and Water Show watch party includes access to the Shore Club’s outdoor patio and shaded restaurant, plus lunch, a bloody Mary bar, and a premium open bar. Tickets start at $147 for adults for general admission or reserve a table or private cabana.
- Theater on the Lake: Spread out across three acres of open green space along the lakefront at Theater on the Lake’s annual viewing party. The all-inclusive experience includes delicious food from Smoque BBQ and an open bar. There will be ample seating, but guests are invited to bring their own chairs and blankets. Tickets start at $130 for adults and $55 for children.
- Whispers on Oak Street Beach: Kick back and relax with your toes in the sand at this beachfront bar and restaurant. The annual watch party includes an open bar with frozen cocktails, bloody Marys, and mimosas, plus a photo booth, live DJ, and more fun interactive elements.
- Caffe Olivia: On Ohio Street Beach, Caffe Olivia is tucked away inside the scenic Olive Park. It’s the perfect under-the-radar spot to watch the Air and Water Show from a prime location. Reserve your table or cabana and enjoy an open bar, full buffet, and sundae bar.
Rooftop bars with lake views
Chicago has no shortage of rooftop bars with stunning waterfront views. Here are a few popular spots to catch all the daredevil thrills of the Air and Water Show. Just make sure to come early or grab a reservation since these spots fill up quickly.
- Cindy’s: On the 13th floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, Cindy’s offers stunning views of Millennium Park and the nearby lakeshore.
- The J. Parker: On top of the quirky Hotel Lincoln, this rooftop bar looks out over Lincoln Park and provides a great vantage point for the Air and Water Show.
- Streeterville Social: This casual downtown rooftop space atop the Loews Hotel offers plenty of spaces, lawn games, and an elevated cocktail menu.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier offers unbeatable views of Lake Michigan from almost every angle. And the Pier’s many bars and restaurants are the perfect places to post up and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Air and Water Show.
- Navy Pier Beer Garden: This alfresco patio is a great space to soak up all the excitement of the weekend. In addition to being surrounded by the Air and Water show action, the Beer Garden will also feature various live music throughout the weekend.
- Offshore Rooftop & Bar: The largest rooftop bar in the world offers unmatched views of the lakefront and skyline — making it a perfect spot to watch the Air and Water Show.
- Harry Caray’s Tavern: This family-friendly spot features a large, bustling patio where guests can enjoy comfort food and cold drinks, with a perfect view of the show.
Many other Navy Pier restaurants also offer waterfront patio space, make sure to grab your reservations ahead of time or get there early. There’s also plenty of green space and open areas where the public is able to hang out and enjoy the show for free.
Lake Michigan boat cruises
One memorable way to watch the Air and Water Show is from a boat cruise on the blue waters of Lake Michigan. There are a variety of boat cruises that provide a truly unforgettable experience. Here are just a few setting sail on Air and Water Show weekend:
- Early Air and Water Show Preview Brunch Cruise by City Cruises
- Air and Water Show Cruises by Chicago Fireboat Tours
- Skyline Lake Tour from Navy Pier by Shoreline Sightseeing
- Air and Water Show Kayak Tour by Kayak Chicago
- Chicago Air and Water Show Cruise from Tall Ship Windy
Afternoon Air and Water Show Brunch Cruise by City Cruises
Check out more Chicago boat cruise options for the 2025 Air and Water Show.
Observation decks
See the soaring jets at eye level when you visit these Chicago observation decks during the Air and Water Show.
- 360 CHICAGO: For a bird’s eye view, head up to 360 CHICAGO observation deck, where you’ll be blown away by the 360-degree panoramas and all the action on the lakefront below. Keep the adrenaline pumping at their thrilling TILT ride. then enjoy drinks from 1,000 feet up at Cloud Bar.
- Skydeck Chicago: In the iconic Willis Tower (one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere), watch the jets fly by at eye level from the 103rd-floor Skydeck Chicago. Step out onto The Ledge, an all-glass platform suspended outside the building, for a jaw-dropping vantage point of the show and the entire city,
