Windy City Boat & Yacht Show Debuts June 12–14, 2026

Seasoned Boaters to Casual Cruisers are Invited to Celebrate the Boating Lifestyle at the Great Lakes’ Premier In-Water Boat Show in Downtown Chicago’s Burnham Harbor

Tickets for the inaugural Windy City Boat & Yacht Show are on sale at WindyCityBYS.com.

Produced by Informa, the world’s leading event organizer and producer of acclaimed international boat shows in North America, the event will launch this June 12–14 in the heart of downtown Chicago in Burnham Harbor.

The unprecedented in-water boating experience for the Great Lakes region is presented in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, Choose Chicago, Chicago Harbors, and Suntex Marinas.

“The Great Lakes region, known for its vibrant boating and waterfront lifestyle, has long awaited and expressed the need for an in-water boat show featuring the top boating brands and products,” said Larry Berryman, Show Director.

“We’re excited to bring this vision to life at the ideal Chicago location. This event is more than just a showcase of boats; it’s a celebration boating lifestyle, seamlessly blending the water, the city, and the community. As the summer kicks off in June, we welcome boaters and anyone with a passion for the water to join us.”

The Show will feature hundreds of exhibitors, dealers, and manufacturers, showcasing an array of powerboats and sailboats, new and brokerage, ranging from 20 to 75 feet, alongside a comprehensive selection of marine equipment, services, and accessories to enhance the boating lifestyle.

Attendees can explore and board top industry brands presented by leading boat dealers. Highlights include Spring Brook Marine bringing European favorites like Cranchi, Prestige, Sirena and Jeanneau, to Gordy’s Marine highlighting sleek Cobalt models, and Skipper Bud’s feature brands like Tiara, Cruisers and Azimut, there’s something for every boating passion. Other dealers are confirming fast, including Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, Gage Marine, Manitowoc Marina, and Center Point Yacht Service. All are joining this show to provide a diverse range of boating for all passions.

Sail America has partnered with SailTime to offer Start Sailing Now, an on-the-water sailing class, during the show. Perfect for those seeking a confidence boost or completely new to boating, these 150-minute sessions are led by a certified captain and cover essential boating skills from start to finish, both in a classroom setting and aboard a Hunter 33 or a Jeanneau 349. Sessions will be in a small group of no more than six people. The classes will be available all three days of the show and include same-day admission. For additional information and registration, visit WindyCityBYS.com

The Cruisers Classroom, presented by the Annapolis School of Seamanship (ASOS), offers free, walk-up discussions and panels during the show. Covering topics like navigation, maintenance, cruising lifestyle, and more, these sessions run all three days. Perfect for all skill levels, this educational experience is complimentary for attendees.

Whether you’re a seasoned boater, weekend cruiser, or simply looking to spend more time on the water, the Windy City Boat & Yacht Show has something for everyone. Enjoy Chicago’s world-class dining, iconic attractions, and vibrant waterfront energy while kicking off the boating season. The show features live music, great food, and a lively atmosphere, including the Yacht Club Lounge, inspired by Chicago’s prestigious yacht club tradition, where you can connect with yacht club members and fellow boating enthusiasts. On Sunday, June 14, the day will highlight “Anchored in Community,” celebrating the connections between the boating community and local charities.

For tickets and information, visit WindyCityBYS.com. General Admission tickets are $20 (valid for one-day, Friday through Sunday) and two-day general admission tickets are $35. For exhibitors looking to secure remaining space and sponsorship opportunities, please complete and submit a space inquiry request form, and a sales representative will promptly respond.

Show Dates & Hours:
Friday & Saturday, June 12-13: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 14: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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