The Chicago Air and Water Show, Little Italy Festa, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears Preseason and More Headline a Busy Weekend of Festivals and Events Citywide

CHICAGO: The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents to stay vigilant and to enjoy the various citywide events and festivals this weekend safely and responsibly. The OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders as needed.

Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something, Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC app. The app is a great tool to receive alerts, safety tips, weather forecasts, street closures, event information and more. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC

Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at major events to direct flow and impacts from traffic. Weekend events include:

Chicago Air and Water Show | North Avenue Beach

Friday, August 14, 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Practice)

Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The City of Chicago and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) proudly present the 2026 Chicago Air and Water Show, August 16 and 17 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as show center from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Established in 1959 and one of the largest free admission events of its kind. Headliners of the 2026 show include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights.

Look up! For public safety, green and white pole markers are attached to light poles at North Avenue Beach from Oak Street to Fullerton serving as location identifiers if spectators need to call 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity, an emergency or injury. The numbers provide first responders with your exact location. They can also be used to reunite with family or friends should you become separated.

Public transportation is strongly recommended. Spectators can plan their CTA trip by using. TransitChicago.com/planatrip/. There is no public parking at North Avenue Beach over Air & Water weekend.

WBBM Newsradio 780 / 105.9 will broadcast the show live Saturday and Sunday, on both the radio and the free Audacy app. For more information, visit ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us.

Taylor Street Festa Italiana

Thursday, August 13 - Friday, August 14 (5 p.m.-10 p.m.), Saturday, August 15-Sunday, August 16 (noon-10 p.m.)

Chicago's Little Italy Fest-Taylor Street celebrates the great history of the neighborhood by celebrating the rich culture of the generations of Italians who settled there decades ago. The festival is on Taylor St from Racine Ave to Ashland Ave; Streets are closed on 1236-1600 W Taylor, 929-1013 S. Laflin, 900 - 928 S. Ada St., 914 - 1010 S. Loomis St. Taylor Street Festa Italiana 2026, a Festival in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Cubs v. St. Louis Cardinals

Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 at 1: 20 p.m.; Sunday, August 16 at 3:15 p.m.

The Chicago Cubs will take on the St. Louis Cardinals. Fans can expect a flyover at the start of each game by military aircraft taking part in the Chicago Air and Water Show. For details, visit mlb.com/cubs/ballpark

Race Judicata 2026

Thursday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m.

The annual 5K run and walk for justice takes place in Lincoln Park at 1746 N. Stockton Dr. The scenic 5K course loops participants around Lincoln Park along the south lagoon path, up to the Diversey Harbor, and back, Course Map. For complete details, visit cvls.org/judicata/.

Three Pianos: Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin and Andrew McMahon

Friday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m.
The Three Pianos begins at 7:30 p.m. at Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island. For details, visit huntingtonbankpavilion.com/.

Chicago Bears v. Cleveland Browns

Saturday, August 15 at Noon

The preseason game at Soldier Field kicks-off at noon and doors open at 10 a.m. For complete details, visit SoldierField.com

Printer's Row Art Fest

Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 1, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Art Fest brings together 100 juried artists from across the country to the Printer's Row Neighborhood at 728 S. Dearborn. For complete details, visit Printer's Row Art Fest | Amdur Productions

Navy Pier Fireworks

Saturday, August 15 at 10 p.m.

Navy Pier will present a fireworks show each Wednesday and Saturday through September 5. Wednesday shows begin at 9 p.m. and Saturday shows begin at 10 p.m. For additional details, visit NavyPier.org/summer-fireworks

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: Grant Park and Lakefront Poles Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area, along various points on the lakefront path and on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South to help them reference their location along the lakefront and within the park if you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. OEMC call takers and dispatchers will be able to provide the location for first responders. They can also be used between friends and family members as meeting point if you become separated. For additional details click HERE.

Public Transportation: As for any large-scale event, public transportation is encouraged, and both CTA and Metra will provide additional service for the event. Public transit is the most affordable and convenient way to get to and from events citywide. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.

Weather and Public Safety: OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download the Chicago OEMC app.

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

• Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT "CHILAKE" to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT "CHIBIZ" to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).