FAQs

Helpful Hints!

  • Leave home early
  • Car pool
  • Prepare for the sun – bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
  • Bring ear protection, especially for children & infants
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • No bikes, skateboards, rollerblades or scooters
  • Do not touch aircraft unless you’ve been invited to do so
  • Do not climb on aircraft
  • Pay attention to signage
  • Do not cross over ropes & fences intended for crowd control
  • Identify a place and time to meet should you get lost
  • No pets allowed

Food & Beverages

Yes. A wide variety of food and drinks are available on the grounds and provided by participating food and beverage venders.

Yes. A wide variety of food and drinks are available on the grounds and provided by participating food and beverage venders.

Yes. A wide variety of food and drinks are available on the grounds and provided by participating food and beverage venders.

Yes. A wide variety of food and drinks are available on the grounds and provided by participating food and beverage venders.

Yes. A wide variety of food and drinks are available on the grounds and provided by participating food and beverage venders.

Parking & Admission

The gates open at 9:30 a.m., the show starts at 12:00 noon and runs until 3:00 p.m.; the gates close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 9.

There are two entrances to the airshow parking areas. Enter from the North and East at Lewis Avenue & Beach Road, or from the South and West at Yorkhouse Road & McAree Road. Click here for directions.

Yes. Please display your state authorized handicap placard while approaching the airport for access to the handicap parking area. Access the airport from the South Entrance, off Yorkhouse Road, then turn north onto McAree Road. Signage and security personnel will direct you to the designated parking area.

Yes. Motorcycles should access the airport from the south entrance off Yorkhouse Road, then turn north onto McAree Road. Signage and security personnel will direct you to the designated parking area.

No. We do not allow RV’s in Airshow parking.

No, parking is 100% free. We want to get the cars moved in and parked as efficiently as possible.

It always is at a large event such as this. Avoid the intersection of Greenbay Road and Yorkhouse Road. Two entrances: Best to enter off of Lewis Avenue at Beach Road. We are expecting attendance to be 10,000+ so please car pool and arrive early. The gates open at 9:30 a.m. so come early.

No. All spectators MUST go through show admissions. Once you have gone through admissions you can go back to your car. Remember to display your wrist band. Tailgating is prohibited.

YES! Ask for your HAND to be STAMPED by a Gate Agent as you leave the airshow. It will be required for readmission.

No, gates open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. – you may plan to arrive and leave at any time during that time frame. Due to the high volume of traffic and logistics of the traffic flow we do not recommend that you plan to leave the grounds and re-enter unless necessary.

Vehicles leaving during performances may be redirected through a different exit. We may still have vehicles entering while you are trying to leave. We do not have provisions for two way traffic in most cases. If you want to go back to your car in off site parking you may.

Seating & General Info

Yes. A large general area seating area on the flight line with a clear view is available. However space is limited, so we encourage you to arrive early.

No. Chairs are not provided, you are encouraged to bring your own chairs and blankets. The general admission public seating area is both a grassy and a hard surface area.
However, if you don’t want to lug one with you, you may reserve one from our outside vendor MySportsSeat for $12 or purchase the chair to keep for $39. To reserve, purchase your chair(s) or have questions, please email Todd Adams [email protected] or text (816) 668-0514. He will confirm your reservation and answer any questions. When you arrive at the airshow, you will be able to pick up and pay for your chair(s) at either one of the MySportSeat Kiosks. If you choose to wait until Saturday, chairs will be available, but the inventory is limited. After the airshow is complete, your rented chair must be returned to either Kiosk. DISCLAIMER: Seats are not provided by the airshow and from an outside vendor. Northern Illinois Airshow retains no liability or responsibility for injury and/or health issue(s) incurred as a result of hiring outside vendor. Rent at your own risk.

Yes. In unrestricted areas only. The FAA and the Airport Authority have strict guidelines and regulations we ALL must follow.

Portable toilets are available in the main parking lot.

No pets or bicycles are allowed.

Firearms, skateboards, in-line skates, roller skates. footballs, baseballs, frisbees, or anything that can be thrown. No kites, coolers, wagons, or scooters.

Yes, before the Airshow you can view the planes closest to the runway (behind the announcer’s stand). You can view the planes located in front of the Signature Aviation sign at any time.

There is smoking/vaping in the parking lot by the food concessions. There is no smoking or vaping in the ramp area.

First Aid in located at the southwest corner of the Food Court (Main) Plaza.

The Young Eagles table is located at airshow exhibit area. Rides will NOT be held the day of the airshow.

Flights will be conducted starting at 10:15 AM until before Noon and resume again after the airshow is complete with last ride ending by 5:00 PM, so we can clear the parking lot and reopen the airport. The ride booth is located on the Static Display ramp. DISCLAIMER: Helicopter rides are not provided by the airshow and from an outside vendor. Northern Illinois Airshow retains no liability for death or injury incurred as a result of hiring outside vendor. Ride at your own risk.

Exhibitors are located in A Bay, the hangar with a large “A” on it, at Signature Aviation.

ATMs are located at each gate.

Tickets

Yes! You can purchase tickets early online for $15 each (plus fees) until August 31st then they will be $20 each (plus fees). Tickets will also be available the day of the show, September 9th, 2023 at the gate for $20 each (cash only).

Active duty military, retired military, and veterans with military ID or state veterans ID are admitted free. Picture ID required for veterans using DD214 or any other ID that does not include your photo. We appreciate you and thank you for your service.

The Airshow gates will open at 9:30 a.m. Flying will begin at noon weather permitting. No refunds will be given due to weather.

Other Ticket Questions?

Call us at (847) 244-0055 or click here to fill out our contact form.

Please check out our Helpful Hints at the beginning of the page for additional information to make this the best airshow experience.