The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will return for a second consecutive year to this month’s Air and Water Show in Chicago, the city’s cultural affairs department announced Monday.
Historically, the Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels have traded off years appearing at the Chicago show, which regularly draws upwards of 1 million spectators to the city’s lakefront
The city said the break in tradition, which was first reported by NBC Chicago, is due to a scheduling issue on the part of the Blue Angels.
“This year, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were available to participate, while the U.S. Navy Blue Angels had existing commitments,” a spokesperson for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events said in a statement. “We are honored to welcome the Thunderbirds back to Chicago and look forward to another outstanding performance for our residents and visitors.”
Recently, both groups were absent from a nearby air and water show in Milwaukee, with the Air Force citing scheduling issues due to celebrations surrounding America’s 250th birthday.
During a Thunderbirds practice for last year’s show, residents in Lake View heard booms that they described as an “earthquake” and “a massive jolt.” An expert told the Sun-Times that videos showed what were “clearly sonic booms,” the loud sound that occurs when a plane exceeds the speed of sound. The Air Force denied that any plane went supersonic.
That day, windows also shattered at a Lake View condo building, where residents said they felt strong vibrations as the jets flew overhead.
A similar event also previously occurred with the Blue Angels. In 2021, a Navy pilot caused more than $180,000 in damage during a practice run after veering off course and nearing the speed of sound in California, according to The Seattle Times.
The Blue Angels also recently made headlines for flying at a low altitude over a crowded beach during a show in Florida. In response, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao wrote on X, “No reprimands. No firings. No problem. That’s the sound of Freedom!”
The 2026 Chicago Air and Water Show will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 15 and 16. Additional performers include the U.S. Army Golden Knights and the U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue team. Plus, the event will feature pilot Susan Dacy in her classic Super Stearman plane, dubbed “Big Red,” and Red Bull aerobatic pilot Kevin Coleman.
The Chicago event is the largest, free-to-attend air and water show in the nation.
“As we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to welcome residents and visitors to our lakefront to celebrate this historic milestone while honoring the courage, excellence and innovation that define this iconic event,” cultural commissioner Kenya Merritt said in a statement.
Courtney Kueppers is an arts and culture reporter at WBEZ.