Chicago International Boat Show: A Show on the Water that Changes Everything

August 27, 2025

Chicago International Boat Show: A Show on the Water that Changes Everything | Navy Pier Marina

This past weekend, Navy Pier Marina hosted the Chicago International Boat Show. The festivities featured boats and yachts, industry leaders, and hands-on boating demos on Lake Michigan. Thousands of boaters, buyers, and brands came together to explore and enjoy everything on the water.

Bringing in-water shows back to Chicago

For over a decade, lower Lake Michigan buyers and boaters have missed in-water boat shows. The opening of Navy Pier Marina offered an ideal venue to welcome back more awe-inspiring and hands-on showcases of the innovations in the boating world. The Chicago International Boat Show delivered the Midwest an easily accessible, large-scale, in-water boat show at the height of summer.

The event didn’t stop at boats. Attendees experienced exotic cars, private aviation exhibits, fine jewelry showcases, and world-class culinary offerings. This offered fun for everyone on land, in the sky, and on the water.

Navy Pier Marina expands waterfront culture

β€œNavy Pier Marina isn’t just a venue; it’s a gateway to Chicago’s vibrant waterfront culture, offering unparalleled access to restaurants, attractions, and family-friendly experiences,” Randy Podolsky, developer of Navy Pier Marina, expressed his excitement to Revel Republic about the show and its venue.

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πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Limited slips remain for the holiday weekend, with Navy Pier’s final fireworks show of the summer happening Saturday night. πŸŽ†

Reserve your slip while availability lasts.

#NavyPierMarina #ChicagoBoating #LaborDayWeekend

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πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Limited slips remain for the holiday weekend, with Navy Pier’s final fireworks show of the summer happening Saturday night. πŸŽ† Reserve your slip while availability lasts. #NavyPierMarina #ChicagoBoating #LaborDayWeekend

β›΅ SAIL & SIP on Lake Michigan! 🍹

We love seeing our Navy Pier Marina partners come together to create unforgettable experiences on the Chicago waterfront!

Our Pier Partner, Reunion, and Navy Pier Marina resident charter operator Come Sailing are teaming up for Sail & Sip aboard City Cat β€” a premium catamaran experience combining incredible Chicago views, great food, drinks, and an afternoon on Lake Michigan.

βš“ 2-Hour Catamaran Cruise
🍹 Open Bar
🍴 Light Bites
πŸŒ† Unbeatable Chicago Skyline Views
πŸ“ Departing from Navy Pier Marina

September 13 or September 20
Cruises: 1–3 PM or 3:30–5:30 PM
🎟️ $200 per person | Only 44 spots available

We’re proud to have City Cat call Navy Pier Marina home and excited to see two of our waterfront partners collaborating on such a great Chicago experience.

Good drinks. Great company. Best views in Chicago. βš“πŸ₯‚

Scan the QR code in the flyer to reserve your spot or follow this link - https://www.toasttab.com/catering/chefartsmithreunion.com/menu/reunion%20x%20city%20cat%20boat%20ride/?mode=fulfillment

#NavyPierMarina #SailAndSip #ComeSailing #ReunionChicago #LakeMichigan #ChicagoBoating #ChicagoWaterfront #NavyPier #ChicagoSummer #CatamaranCruise

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β›΅ SAIL & SIP on Lake Michigan! 🍹 We love seeing our Navy Pier Marina partners come together to create unforgettable experiences on the Chicago waterfront! Our Pier Partner, Reunion, and Navy Pier Marina resident charter operator Come Sailing are teaming up for Sail & Sip aboard City Cat β€” a premium catamaran experience combining incredible Chicago views, great food, drinks, and an afternoon on Lake Michigan. βš“ 2-Hour Catamaran Cruise 🍹 Open Bar 🍴 Light Bites πŸŒ† Unbeatable Chicago Skyline Views πŸ“ Departing from Navy Pier Marina September 13 or September 20 Cruises: 1–3 PM or 3:30–5:30 PM 🎟️ $200 per person | Only 44 spots available We’re proud to have City Cat call Navy Pier Marina home and excited to see two of our waterfront partners collaborating on such a great Chicago experience. Good drinks. Great company. Best views in Chicago. βš“πŸ₯‚ Scan the QR code in the flyer to reserve your spot or follow this link - https://www.toasttab.com/catering/chefartsmithreunion.com/menu/reunion%20x%20city%20cat%20boat%20ride/?mode=fulfillment #NavyPierMarina #SailAndSip #ComeSailing #ReunionChicago #LakeMichigan #ChicagoBoating #ChicagoWaterfront #NavyPier #ChicagoSummer #CatamaranCruise

Superyacht in Chicago πŸ›₯️

You never know what’s going to pull into Navy Pier Marina. One of our favorite sights from earlier this summer.

#superyacht #chicago #navypiermarina

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Superyacht in Chicago πŸ›₯️ You never know what’s going to pull into Navy Pier Marina. One of our favorite sights from earlier this summer. #superyacht #chicago #navypiermarina

What a weekend on the Chicago waterfront.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Skyline Social at Navy Pier Marina. Incredible yachts, great music, beautiful weather, and one of the best backdrops in the city.

#chicagoboating #lakemichigan #yachts

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What a weekend on the Chicago waterfront. Thank you to everyone who joined us for Skyline Social at Navy Pier Marina. Incredible yachts, great music, beautiful weather, and one of the best backdrops in the city. #chicagoboating #lakemichigan #yachts

What a spectacular Chicago Air & Water Show weekend at Navy Pier Marina! πŸŒ‡βš“οΈβœˆοΈ

A huge thank you to @weberyachts for hosting an incredible event filled with good food, great company, and an unbeatable Chicago backdrop.

#chicagoairandwatershow #afthunderbirds @afthunderbirds

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What a spectacular Chicago Air & Water Show weekend at Navy Pier Marina! πŸŒ‡βš“οΈβœˆοΈ A huge thank you to @weberyachts for hosting an incredible event filled with good food, great company, and an unbeatable Chicago backdrop. #chicagoairandwatershow #afthunderbirds @afthunderbirds

Change of plans at Navy Pier Marina!

While plans for the weekend at Navy Pier have shifted, we’re keeping the excitement going. Join us August 21 & 22 from 4:00–9:00 PM for two elegant summer evenings on the waterfront featuring an exclusive collection of luxury yachts, live music, cocktails and waterfront hospitalityβ€”all set against the unmatched backdrop of the Chicago skyline.

SKYLINE SOCIAL @ NAVY PIER MARINA
πŸ“… August 21 & 22
⏰ 4:00–9:00 PM
πŸ“ Navy Pier Marina – 797 E. Grand Ave., Chicago

Guests will have the opportunity to explore an impressive collection of yachts presented by local dealers and brokers, including:

Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales
Bay Marine
Weber Yachts
Spring Brook Marine
Basa`s Marine

Yachts β€’ Music β€’ Cocktails β€’ Chicago Skyline

Transient dockage is also available for boaters who want to arrive by water and make a weekend of it.

https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/ #NavyPierMarina #NavyPier #MarinaLife #BoatLife #LakeMichigan #jeffersonbeachyachtsales #baymarine #weberyachts #springbrookmarine #basasmarine

Open post by navypiermarina with ID 18222265210331913
Change of plans at Navy Pier Marina! While plans for the weekend at Navy Pier have shifted, we’re keeping the excitement going. Join us August 21 & 22 from 4:00–9:00 PM for two elegant summer evenings on the waterfront featuring an exclusive collection of luxury yachts, live music, cocktails and waterfront hospitalityβ€”all set against the unmatched backdrop of the Chicago skyline. SKYLINE SOCIAL @ NAVY PIER MARINA πŸ“… August 21 & 22 ⏰ 4:00–9:00 PM πŸ“ Navy Pier Marina – 797 E. Grand Ave., Chicago Guests will have the opportunity to explore an impressive collection of yachts presented by local dealers and brokers, including: Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales Bay Marine Weber Yachts Spring Brook Marine Basa's Marine Yachts β€’ Music β€’ Cocktails β€’ Chicago Skyline Transient dockage is also available for boaters who want to arrive by water and make a weekend of it. https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/ #NavyPierMarina #NavyPier #MarinaLife #BoatLife #LakeMichigan #jeffersonbeachyachtsales #baymarine #weberyachts #springbrookmarine #basasmarine

TODAY IS THE DAY! ✈️πŸ›₯️🐷

Come dock with us, enjoy the Chicago Air & Water Show, and stick around for the afterparty at Navy Pier Marina!

πŸ”₯ Pig Roast TODAY | 5–7 PM
Courtesy of Weber Yachts & Weber Aviation

After an incredible day watching the Air Show, head back to the marina for great food, great company, and one of the best waterfront views in Chicago.

Whether you`re spending the day with us or stopping by after the show, we`d love to see you!

πŸ“ Navy Pier Marina
πŸ“… Saturday, August 15
⏰ Pig Roast: 5–7 PM

Come for the Air Show. Stay for the Pig Roast. See you on the docks!

#NavyPierMarina #ChicagoAirAndWaterShow #ChicagoBoating #WeberYachts #WeberAviation #NavyPier #ChicagoWaterfront #BoatingChicago

Open post by navypiermarina with ID 18191818969386880
TODAY IS THE DAY! ✈️πŸ›₯️🐷 Come dock with us, enjoy the Chicago Air & Water Show, and stick around for the afterparty at Navy Pier Marina! πŸ”₯ Pig Roast TODAY | 5–7 PM Courtesy of Weber Yachts & Weber Aviation After an incredible day watching the Air Show, head back to the marina for great food, great company, and one of the best waterfront views in Chicago. Whether you're spending the day with us or stopping by after the show, we'd love to see you! πŸ“ Navy Pier Marina πŸ“… Saturday, August 15 ⏰ Pig Roast: 5–7 PM Come for the Air Show. Stay for the Pig Roast. See you on the docks! #NavyPierMarina #ChicagoAirAndWaterShow #ChicagoBoating #WeberYachts #WeberAviation #NavyPier #ChicagoWaterfront #BoatingChicago