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From seasoned boaters to casual cruisers, all are invited to celebrate the boating lifestyle at this Great Lakes’ premier in-water boat show.

Published: Saturday, May 23, 2026 9:00 am

Tickets for the inaugural Windy City Boat & Yacht Show are now on sale at WindyCityBYS.com. Produced by Informa, the event will launch this June 12–14 in the heart of downtown Chicago in Burnham Harbor and is presented in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, Chicago Harbors, and Suntex Marinas.

Larry Berryman, Vice President of Miami Boating for Informa, notes how this event is a long-awaited dream turned reality for the Great Lakes region, which is known for its devoted boating community. “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 of the boating lifestyle, seamlessly blending the water, the city, and the community. As the summer kicks off in June, we welcome boaters for all skill levels to join us.”

Sail America has partnered with SailTime to offer First Sail, an on-the-water sailing class, during the show. Perfect for those seeking a confidence boost or completely new to boating, these 90-minute sessions are led by a certified captain and cover essential boating skills from start to finish. 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. Pricing, additional details, and online registration will be available on WindyCityBYS.com.

Another hosted event series at the Windy City Show is the Cruisers Classroom, presented by the Annapolis School of Seamanship (ASOS). These classes offer free, walk-up discussions and panels during the show covering topics like navigation, maintenance, cruising lifestyle, and more. Perfect for all skill levels, these sessions run all three days and provide an educational experience completely complimentary for attendees.

For those excited to get up close and personal with what’s new and exciting in yachting/boating, the Show will feature hundreds of exhibitors, dealers, and manufacturers, showcasing an array of powerboats and sailboats, new and brokerage, ranging from 15 to 60 feet. Alongside these displays will also be 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. All are joining this show to provide a diverse range of boating for all passions, aligned with the spirit of the show to educate and excite the current generation of boaters, as well as inspire others to join.

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. 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.

Pricing, additional details, and online registration for the event programs/classrooms will be available on the website. For these tickets and information, visit WindyCityBYS.com.