Chicago’s Great American Lobster Fest Returns to Navy Pier August 16-17, Chicago Air & Water Show Weekend
Chicago’s Navy Pier transforms into a coastal paradise as the Great American Lobster Fest returns for its highly anticipated weekend seafood celebration, August 16-17, 2025. Perfectly timed with the impressive Chicago Air & Water Show, festival-goers can crack into fresh Maine lobster while fighter jets thunder overhead – creating the most unique Chicago summer experience on the lakefront.
The festival brings the East Coast directly to the shores of Lake Michigan, with whole Maine lobsters flown in fresh each day and served in traditional New England-style boils. But this isn’t just about the food – it’s about the full lakefront experience that only happens when fresh seafood, live music, and aerial acrobatics converge on one of America’s most iconic attractions.
“There’s something magical about watching the Blue Angels perform overhead while you’re cracking into a perfectly steamed lobster with the Chicago skyline as your backdrop,” said Jack Green, owner of Green Curtain Events, the festival’s producer. “We’ve created something that doesn’t really exist anywhere else in the Midwest – a festival that celebrates both Chicago’s lakefront culture and New England’s seafood traditions.”
The festival’s culinary centerpiece is the classic East Coast boil featuring 1.25-pound whole softshell lobsters served with corn on the cob, potatoes, a dinner roll, a sponsored drink, and all the melted butter your claws can handle. For those seeking variety, the fest will also have vendors on site offering everything from lobster rolls, lobster mac & cheese, loaded lobster fries, and lobster grilled cheese to BBQ favorites and vegetarian options. To complete the experience, attendees can sip on tropical piña coladas and mango coladas while indulging in sweet treats like churro desserts and more, creating the ideal lakefront getaway.
Guests can secure their lobster meal experience in advance, which is recommended for those who want a whole lobster meal, or simply show up and explore – entry to Navy Pier remains free, with a la carte seafood and landfood options available throughout the weekend at the several vendor spots.
Live Music
The main stage at Navy Pier’s Beer Garden comes alive all weekend with a diverse lineup spanning soul, Nashville psych-pop, Latin folk fusion, and Caribbean reggae vibes. The lineup includes:
- Saturday, August 16 (4:30-9:45pm)
- Sam Thousand
- Nordista Freeze
- Sunday, August 17 (3:00-8:15pm)
- Son Monarcas
- Kofi & The New Roots
The music programming perfectly complements the festival’s laid-back coastal vibe, with Saturday night culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Michigan.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
Family-Friendly Lakefront Experience
The Great American Lobster Fest welcomes families with reserved seating areas overlooking Lake Michigan, craft vendors, games, and activities throughout the weekend. The festival runs Saturday from noon-11pm and Sunday from noon-8pm.
Located at Navy Pier’s north and south beer gardens near the east end of the pier, the festival offers easy access to Chicago’s most beloved attraction while providing an intimate, coastal atmosphere for all.
