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 has grown into the largest free show of its kind in the country.

The 64th annual event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with practice flyovers on Friday, Aug. 9.

Looking for a spot to catch the show? We’ve got you covered with waterfront viewing parties, the best beaches, stunning rooftop bars, and more. Check out the top places to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show 2024. 

Chicago beaches

The city’s gorgeous beaches are popular all summer long, but the Chicago Air and Water Show always draws crowds to Lake Michigan’s sandy shores.

The best spot to view the show will be on the lakefront between Oak Street and Fullerton Avenue, which includes North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach. Both beaches are home to waterfront restaurants, unobstructed 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!

Insider tip: Millennium Garages offers complimentary shuttles from their Millennium Park Garage to North Avenue Beach throughout the weekend.

Waterfront restaurants

©Shore Club

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 ticket packages include access to the Shore Club’s outdoor patio and shaded restaurant, a beachside buffet, a bloody Mary bar, frozen cocktails, and a premium open bar. Tickets start at $135 for adults and $65 for children. Reserved seating and VIP cabanas are available for purchase. Get your tickets for the practice run on Friday, Aug. 9 and the main event on Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug, 21.

Theater on the Lake: Spread out across three acres of open green space along the lakefront while enjoying food, drinks, and incredible views at Theater on the Lake’s annual viewing party. The all-inclusive experience includes delicious food from Smoque BBQ and an open bar with beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic options. There will be ample seating, but guests are invited to bring their own chairs and blankets. Tickets start at $110 for adults and $50 for children and are available for Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11.

Theatre on the Lake Air & Water Show
Photo courtesy Theater on the Lake

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 rooftop bar offers unobstructed views of the jets soaring through the air throughout the Air and Water Show. The Castaways viewing party will run from Saturday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 11 featuring an open bar with beer, wine, frozen and specialty cocktails, an elevated breakfast and lunch buffet, and an ice cream bar cart. Tickets start at $250.

Whispers on Oak Street Beach: Kick back and relax with your toes in the sand at this beachfront bar and restaurant. Grab your tickets for a daytime beach barbecue and open bar, or opt for a VIP cabana.

Castaways Cabanas

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 a buffet and sundae bar.

The Patio at Cafe Brauer: Head further into Lincoln Park for one of the most iconic al fresco options in the city. Situated inside Lincoln Park Zoo, The Patio at Cafe Brauer is a great option to soak up the city lakefront views and watch the Air and Water Show display, while surrounded by a lush, tranquil environment.

Rooftop bars

Cindys interior

Chicago has no shortage of rooftop bars with stunning lakefront views. Here are a few popular spots to catch the Air and Water Show display, just make sure to come early or grab a reservation since these spots fill up quickly.

Navy Pier

miller lite beer garden at navy pier

Navy Pier offers unbeatable views of Lake Michigan and the Navy Pier Beer Garden 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.

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.

Offshore Rooftop & Bar at Navy Pier, 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. The bar will be open to the public for the Sunday show.

Lake Michigan cruises

Mystic Blue Cruises Chicago

One of Chicagoans’ favorite ways to enjoy the Air and Water Show is to watch the festivities from the bright blue waters of Lake Michigan. There are a variety of afternoon boat cruises that will give you a perfect vantage point of the Air and Water Show. Here are just a few setting sail on Air and Water Show weekend:

Check out more Chicago boat cruise options for the 2024 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.

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.

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,