2026 Chicago Air & Water Show kicked off after nearly 2-hour rain delay

The 2026 Chicago Air and Water Show kicked off on Saturday after an almost two-hour delay due to rain.

Before the planes took off, there was concern about whether the aircrafts were going to fly. Despite that, it didn't deter people from coming out.

"Today, we were going to come no matter what. We were going to come no matter what. Rain, shine, or whatever," said Lynn Thome.

"My husband and me were coming rain or shine no matter what," said Melissa Ocampo.

"I can take photos, but it depends how and where the rain is coming from," said Om Shah.

Shah, who is a photographer, came prepared with a bag over his lens in case of water. The show was postponed until noon.

The city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events said they worked directly with the Federal Aviation Administration to assess flight conditions to keep attendees and performers safe.

"The only variable that we honestly see is the weather at Gary," said Air and Water Show announcer Herb Hunter.

Hunter, who has been announcing the show for 39 years, said the airport they take off from was only the only concern toward the start time. He says the pilots also make their own calls about safety but felt confident they would have a successful show.

"We are looking at weather here this afternoon in really good shape," Hunter said.

But even with the threat of showers, North Avenue Beach looked emptier than usual for the performance. In most years, North Avenue Beach is so packed you couldn't get a spot. This year, with the questionable weather, the back half of the beach was empty and open.

"I was really shocked about that when we were walking down this whole area was just empty, so I was like, ' Why not just stop here?" Shah said.

"The other two years when you come down here, it was packed, absolutely packed," Thome said.

Even though clouds lingered along the city skyline, the show still went on. There was a small sprinkle of rain, but no delays or major weather issues and everyone here still got to see a full five-hour performance.

"The thing that excites me here is the interaction between me and the crowd and watching them watch the airplanes," Hunter said.

The Thunderbirds did cancel their show due to the weather. 

With the threat of weather on Sunday, the city says they will give updates as the day goes on. The show is scheudled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Who is performing at the Air & Water Show?

The headline performers at the Air & Water Show this year are the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.

Other military performers 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.

The civilian performers are 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.

How to get to the Air & Water Show and what to know before you go

Pick up and drop off locations for the show are at the intersection of LaSalle Drive and Inner Lake Shore Drive. The city strongly encourages attendees to use public transit to attend the show, and there will be additional buses and trains in service to accommodate what the city estimates will be 2 million attendees.

You can take the CTA Red Line to Chicago/State or Clark/Division, both of which are in walking distance of North Avenue Beach. The CTA #72 North Avenue bus also runs directly to North Avenue Beach.

There is no parking available at the beach, but there is limited paid parking available at Lincoln Park Zoo. There is also paid parking available at Millennium Park Garage, where a free shuttle is available to take people to and from the beach on show days.

The free 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 ill be broadcast on WBBM News Radio.

Information about what items are and are not allowed on the beach at the Air & Water Show are listed in the FAQ on the city's official event website.