Fireworks on July 4th: Where to Watch Around Chicago


Fireworks will light up the skies all over the Chicago area in celebration of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4. 

Just looking for Chicago fireworks? Get details for shows on July 3 and July 4.

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Displays listed below range in date from Wednesday, July 3 to Friday, July 5. Some events listed below include festivities in addition to fireworks. We’ll update this list as details for even more suburban fireworks displays are available.


Wednesday, July 3

Bridgeview: Dusk at 81st Street and Oketo Avenue

Burr Ridge: Dusk at Walker Park, 7425 S. Wolf Road

 Chicago: 9:30 p.m. at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.

An Independence Day Tribute Concert with the Navy Band Great Lakes Wind Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. precedes the regularly scheduled fireworks show.

Chicago Heights: Dusk at Bloom High School, 101 W. 10th St. 

Crestwood: Dusk at Ozinga Field, 14011 Kenton Ave. 

Presented as part of Sparks in the Parks.

Deerfield: Dusk at Brickyards Park, 375 Elm St.

Evergreen Park: 9:15 p.m. at Duffy Park, 9200 S. Millard Ave.

A parade along 95th Street kicks off the festivities at 6:30 p.m.

Joliet: 9:30 p.m. at Bicentennial Park, 201 W. Jefferson St. 

Begin the night with food, drinks and live music starting at 6 p.m. 

Lemont: 9:30 p.m. at Centennial Park, 16028 127th St.

Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and include a kids zone, beer garden, DJ and performance by Hey Jimmy.

Lockport: Dusk at Dellwood Park, IL-171 and Woods Drive

Oak Brook: 9:15 p.m. at Polo Grounds off of 31st Street between Spring and York Roads

Festivities begin at 4 p.m. as part of the Taste of Oak Brook.

Palos Heights: Dusk at Memorial Park, 7607 W. College Drive

Festivities start at 4:30 p.m. with giant slides, face painting, food and drink vendors and other activities. 

Park Ridge: Dusk at Maine East High School, 2601 W. Dempster St.

Roselle: 9:30 p.m. at Lake Park High School West Campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

Live music by Modern Day Romeos starts at 7 p.m. 

Wheaton: 9 p.m. at Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Road

Wilmette: 9:30 p.m. at Gillson Park, Lake Avenue and Michigan Avenue

Festivities start at 4 p.m. with music, games, rides, food and drink vendors and other activities. 

Navy Pier summer fireworks in 2011. (Michael Mayer / Flickr)Navy Pier summer fireworks in 2011. (Michael Mayer / Flickr)


Thursday, July 4

Aurora: 9:30 p.m. Watch at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway; or McCullough Park, 128 W. Illinois Ave.

Extras: Live music, dancing, food vendors and children’s inflatable entertainment.

Barrington: Dusk at Barrington High School, 610 W. Main St.

A Main Street parade steps off at 10 a.m. A festival and brat tent is open at the North Commuter Lot of the Metra Station from July 3-6.

Bartlett: 9:30 p.m. at Community Park, South Bartlett and Stearns roads

Festivities begin at noon with pick-up games of bags, bingo, carnival rides and live music.

Bolingbrook: 9:25 p.m. at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive

Buffalo Grove: Dusk at Rotary Green, 260 N. Buffalo Grove Road  

The Symphonic Band performs at 7 p.m. 

Chicago: 9:30 p.m. at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.

Downers Grove, Darien and Woodridge: 9:30 p.m. at 75th Street and Lemont Road

Elgin: 9:15 p.m. at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. 

Elk Grove Village: Immediately following the scheduled concert at Rotary Green, 164 Lions Drive

Melissa Etheridge performs at 7:30 p.m.

Elmwood Park: 9:30 p.m. at Elmwood Park High School, 11 W. Conti Parkway

Live music by Petty Kings, a Chicago-based Tom Petty tribute band, at 6:30 p.m.

Evanston: 9:30 p.m. at Clark Street Beach, Church and Sheridan Road

The Palatine Concert Band performs at 7:30 p.m.

Frankfort: Dusk at Main Park, 200 S. Locust St.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with inflatables, kids carnival games, face painting and a DJ.

Glen Ellyn: Dusk at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road

Extras: A 4-mile fun run (8 a.m.) and parade (noon) through downtown Glen Ellyn, followed by festivities at Lake Ellyn Park like a moonwalk and inflatable obstacle course.

Glencoe: 9 p.m. at Lakefront Park, 647-699 Longwood Ave.

The Rotary Fun Run (8 a.m.) kicks things off, followed by a miniature-golf tournament, Glencoe’s Got Talent, food truck fest and other events.

Glenview: Dusk at Lake Glenview, Lehigh and Lake Avenues

A children’s bike parade (10:30 a.m.) kicks off festivities at the Glenview Public Library. The Independence Day Parade (11:20 a.m.) steps off at Harlem Avenue and Glenview Road. A DJ, food trucks and concerts start evening entertainment at 5 p.m.

Highland Park: 9:30 p.m. at Wolters Field, 1080 Park Ave.

A children’s bike and pet parade (9:30 a.m.) is followed by the annual Independence Day parade. At Sunset Woods Park, find carnival rides, a petting zoo, games and more. Live music at Wolters Field precedes the fireworks show.

Hoffman Estates: 9:30 p.m. at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway

Presented as part of the Northwest Fourth-Fest (July 3-7). With live entertainment, carnival rides and a parade. 

Itasca: 9:45 p.m. at Hamilton Lakes, I-390 and Park Boulevard

Lake Forest: 9:40 p.m. at Deerpath Community Park, 95 W. Deerpath Road

Live performances from Liverpool Legends (6 p.m.) and Bella Cain (8 p.m.).

Lisle: 9:45 p.m. at Community Park, 1825 Short St.

Presented as part of the Eyes to the Skies Festival (July 4-6) which includes hot air balloon rides, carnival rides and games beginning at noon.

Lombard: 9:30 p.m. Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street and Ahrens Avenue

Morton Grove: Dusk at Harrer Park, 6250 Dempster St. 

Presented as part of Morton Grove Days (July 3-6), festivities begin at 2:30 p.m. with a parade, followed by musical performances.

Mount Prospect: 9:30 p.m. at Melas Park, 1500 W. Central Road

Presented as part of the Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival (July 3-7), which begins at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, followed by musical performances and other events. 

Naperville: 9:30 p.m. at Knoch Park, 724 S. West St.

Presented as part of Ribfest (July 3-6), featuring rib vendors, carnival rides and live music from national acts like Billy Idol (July 3), Flo Rida (July 4), Brantley Gilbert (July 5) and Bad Company (July 6).

New Lenox: Dusk at Village Commons, 145-199 Veterans Parkway

Live music from Epic begins at 6 p.m., followed by a performance by the Joliet American Legion Band. Kids activities, like face painting and crafts, are also on tap. 

Northbrook: Dusk at Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Ave.

The Liberty Loop 5K Run/Walk (7:30 a.m.) is followed by a breakfast, miniature-golf tournament, cookout, bike parade and other activities. 

Oak Forest: 9:30 p.m. at 159th Street and Central Avenue

Presented as part of Oak Fest (July 3-7), festivities include carnival rides, live music and bingo starting at 3 p.m.

Oak Lawn: Dusk at Richards High School, 10601 Central Ave.

A treasure hunt, bingo, magic show, giant slip and slide, pickleball, watermelon-eating contests and other activities begin at noon at Memorial Park. 

Oak Park: Dusk at Oak Park and River Forest High School, 201 Scoville Ave. 

The Independence Day Parade (10 a.m.) steps off at Longfellow Park.

Orland Park: Immediately after the presentation of colors at Centennial Park, 15600 West Ave.

Live music by Suburban Cowboys at 7:15 p.m., followed by a presentation of colors by armed forces at 9:15 p.m.

Park Forest: 9:15 p.m. at Village Green, Main Street and Cunningham Drive

A parade (6 p.m.) steps off at Main and Orchard streets. Live music by BBI starts at 7 p.m.

Rolling Meadows: Dusk at Community Center Park, 3705 Pheasant Drive 

A parade (11:30 a.m.) featuring the Budweiser Clydesdale team is followed by musical performances, games and activities.

Rosemont: Immediately following the scheduled concert at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place

Presented as part of the Rockin in the Park series, Lisa McClowry pays tribute to ’80s artists like Pat Benatar and Madonna starting at 7 p.m.

Skokie: Dusk at Niles West High School, 5701 Oakton St.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m., followed by a 3D fireworks display (first 10,000 attendees can get a free pair of 3D glasses). 

Streamwood: 9:30 p.m. at Dolphin Park, 880 S. Park Blvd.

South Holland: 9 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 450 E. 160th Place

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with kids crafts and train rides, followed by wing- and pie-eating contests, musical performances and other events. 

Tinley Park: 9:15 p.m. at McCarthy Park, 16801 S. 80th Ave.

Afternoon activities (starting at 4 p.m.) include face painting, giant slide, obstacle course, bungee run and live entertainment. 

Winnetka: 9:20 p.m. at Duke Childs Field, 1321 Willow Road

A parade (11 a.m.) is followed by a flag-raising ceremony, family races and more activities as part of the annual Fourthfest. 

Yorkville: Dusk at Illinois Route 47 and Countryside Parkway


Friday, July 5

Arlington Heights: Dusk at Arlington Park Race Track, 2200 Euclid Ave.

Festivities start at 3:15 p.m. with horse races, live music, face painting and roaming entertainment.

Palatine: Dusk at Community Park, 250 E. Palatine Road

Presented as part of the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest (July 3-7). Festivities include carnival rides, food and drink vendors, and live music.


Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Do you know of a fireworks show that we missed? Send us an email.

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