Latest news with #ChicagoDepartmentofCulturalAffairsandSpecialEvents
Mint
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Chicago Air and Water Show is back! Here's your complete guide to performers, viewing spots, more
Chicago's skies are all set to roar as the Chicago Air and Water Show is all set to take flight this weekend. The highlight? This year's show will recognise the 250th anniversary of the United States Army and United States Marine Corps. The Chicago Air and Water Show is an annual spectacle held along the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago. Since its inception in 1959, it has grown into the largest free admission air and water exhibition in the United States. The Chicago Air and Water Show, presented by the City of Chicago will take place from August 16-17, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the main viewing area centered at North Avenue Beach. As per the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, this year's air and water show will feature the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Army Parachute Team in the spotlight. The show will also include: 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 US Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo US Marine Corps MV-22 (Osprey) Demo - Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 Bill Stein Airshows Mini Jet Airshows – Tom Larkin Muscle Biplane Machaira – Bob Richards Super Stearman "Big Red" – Susan Dacy Warbird Thunder Airshows. Just like all the years, Herb Hunter will be in action on the announcer's stand for the coveted show. The Chicago Air and Water Show's main action unfolds at North Avenue Beach, but spectators can catch the performances from anywhere along the lakefront between Fullerton Avenue and Oak Street. Many rooftop bars and waterfront restaurants have unobstructed views, and several cruise companies offer special cruises on the day of the Air and Water Show. As per City of Chicago's website, there is no public parking at the beach over Air and Water weekend. No public seating areas are provided or overseen by staff at the event. WBBM Newsradio 780 / 105.9 will broadcast the show live on both the radio and the free Audacy app, as per the City of Chicago. Additionally, NBC Chicago (NBC 5) will also livestream the event through its online platform.
Time Out
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Chicago's most famous street party returns downtown next month
Felt like your summer calendar was missing a little something? That's because you might've noticed that Sundays on State —the annual street festival that transforms Chicago's most famous thoroughfare (State Street, duh) into free, interactive block party—has moved from its usual summertime schedule to two fall weekends this year. (Don't worry, the sunny weather should still be intact.) Hosted by the Chicago Loop Alliance in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the al fresco event will be held on Sunday, September 7 and Sunday, October 5 from 11am to 6pm. This pedestrian-friendly affair will see the titular street closed to traffic (State Street from Randolph Street to Jackson Boulevard, to be exact), making it easy and safe to walk around the daytime festival. Throughout the day, you can expect to see lively performances from the Chicago Movement Collective, Windy City Ramblers and Rhythm Revolution; nosh on local food and beverages (Bad Johnny's Wood-Fired Pizza, Moor's Brewing Company, Taqueria La Ciudad and more are on the lineup); shop cool stuff like leather goods, hand-made jewelry, luxury bath products and retro video games; and take part in local attractions and special happenings. Nearly 400 vendors and artists are slated to appear—yeah, this is huge. (Speaking of huge, more than one million attendees have frequented Sundays on State since 2021, so prepare for crowds!) 'What started as an initiative to support the Loop's economic recovery post-pandemic has transformed into one of the city's marquee events,' said Chicago Loop Alliance President and CEO Michael Edwards in an official news release. Sundays on State's move to the fall season aligns with the Alliance's efforts in supporting other big downtown events that happen in the summer, like Lollapalooza and the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. It's a win-win! The best part? Sundays on State is completely free to attend and open to the public. Register for free online and be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $1,000 Loop Staycation Package. Click here for a full lineup of performances, vendors, and food and drink options.
Chicago Tribune
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Jazz Fest headliners announced for summer 2025
The headlining music artists have been announced for this summer's Chicago Jazz Festival, taking place Aug. 28-31 in Millennium Park, along with Thursday opening-day events at the Chicago Cultural Center. Headliners include the Grammy-winning vocalist Esperanza Spalding, pianist Monty Alexander, and trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins. Cuban guitarist and singer Eliades Ochoa will close the fest on Sunday night. The annual fest over Labor Day weekend is programmed by the nonprofit Jazz Institute of Chicago and presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. A full lineup of concerts will be announced at a later date, including for the Von Freeman Pavilion stage, the WDCB Jazz Lounge, and the spotlight on young jazz artists at the Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace, all in Millennium Park. All concerts are free; more information and artist updates at Aug. 28 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion Originally Published: May 7, 2025 at 9:53 AM CDT
