Chicago air and water show delayed by heavy rain

The 2026 Chicago Air & Water Show, scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday at North Avenue Beach and along the Chicago lakefront from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street, was delayed on Saturday morning due to heavy rain in the Chicago area. The delay pushed the start of the show to noon, as announced by officials. Show producers stated they were working directly with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assess flight conditions and ensure the safety of performing acts, attendees, and event staff. A Flood Advisory was in effect until 12:15 p.m. for Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties in Illinois, indicating the severity of the weather conditions that prompted the delay.

The show features a lineup of military and civilian performers. Headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. Other military participants include the U.S. Air Force 15th Airlift Squadron demonstrating a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 126th Air Refueling Wing, the U.S. Coast Guard performing a search and rescue demonstration, the F-22 Raptor demonstration team, the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II demonstration team, and four F-16 Fighter Wing pilots from the Arizona National Guard. Civilian performers include pilot Kevin Coleman with the Red Bull Air Force, Susan Dacy performing in the Super Stearman "Big Red" biplane, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Ed Hamil performing in the Folds of Honor biplane, the Trojan Phlyers flight demonstration team, Chicago Police Department helicopters, and Chicago Fire Department air/sea rescue teams.

For attendees, the city strongly encouraged using public transit, with additional buses and trains in service to accommodate an estimated 2 million attendees. Pick-up and drop-off locations are at the intersection of LaSalle Drive and Inner Lake Shore Drive. The CTA Red Line to Chicago/State or Clark/Division stations are within walking distance of North Avenue Beach, and the CTA #72 North Avenue bus runs directly to the beach. No parking is available at the beach, but limited paid parking is available at Lincoln Park Zoo and Millennium Park Garage, where a free shuttle operates to and from the beach on show days. The shuttle picks up and drops off in front of 1550 North Lake Shore Drive and at Millennium Park Garage at 6 S. Columbus Drive. Play-by-play coverage of the show will be broadcast on WBBM News Radio.

The delay was a precautionary measure to ensure safety during adverse weather conditions. The FAA's involvement highlights the importance of weather assessments for air shows, as flight performances are highly dependent on visibility, wind, and precipitation. The Flood Advisory underscored the heavy rainfall affecting the region, which could have impacted both the aerial demonstrations and the safety of ground attendees. The decision to delay rather than cancel indicates that organizers were optimistic about improved conditions later in the day, allowing the show to proceed as planned for the weekend crowds.