American Independence Day: Where to watch fireworks this 4th July weekend in Chicago
8 min read 03 Jul 2023, 08:47 PM ISTLike the other parts if the US, no matter where you live in the Chicago, there's likely a destination within your driving distance to catch a professional fireworks show this Independence Day weekend. Here is a list
PremiumThe United States is gearing up to celebrate 247th anniversary of its Independence on 4th July. “The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States is sung during various events to mark the historic day. The celebrations also involve parades, official ceremonies, cookouts, picnic gatherings, events and of course, grand fireworks.
Though, the display of grand fireworks has been a big part of the American Independence Day from the outset, but these pyrotechnics also pose significant dangers, leading to over 10,000 of emergency room visits each year.
Like the other parts if the United States, no matter where you live in the Chicago, there's likely a destination within your driving distance to catch a professional fireworks show this Independence Day weekend.
Here is a list of more than 35 places to catch a fireworks show:
Chicago
Guaranteed Rate Field is set to host fireworks on July 4. Chicago White Sox game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. Tickets are available for as low as $11.
The lakefront fireworks will be available on July 5. And don’t worry, even if you miss the July 5 lakefront celebrations. The fireworks will be available over the lake every Wednesday at 9pm and every Saturday at 10pm throughout the summer till Labor Day.
Antioch
Antioch will kick off Independence Day celebrations with the 27th annual Antioch Run for Freedom 5K, followed by a parade to begin at 10:30am. The Independence Day party will start at The Park at 3 pm with music from Winnie Cooper and Mellencougar. And of course, the fireworks will start at 9:15 pm.
Barrington
Barrington starts the celebrations with fireworks on July 2 at 9:30pm at Barrington High School ahead of Independence Day. The Parade steps off at 10am on July 4 from Barrington High School down Main Street to the Barrington Metra lot. Barrington’s White House will also feature a concert with the Chicago Brass Band Quintet performing traditional American patriotic tunes.
Beecher
Beecher is hosting its 4th Independence Day celebrations from June 30 to July 4 before its firework show at 9:30pm on July 4. The Tuesday event will kick off with a 5K Run/Walk at 8 am before a 4 pm parade ahead of the fireworks after dark.
Bensenville Liberty Fest
The Village of Bensenville's July 4th Liberty Fest featuring food, drinks and music follows the festival's parade at the Redmond Recreational Complex. Fireworks are set to launch from the Public Works Facility at 9:30pm on July 4.
Bolingbrook
Bolingbrook's Independence Day closes out with a fireworks display and the National Anthem sung by Rebecca Battista. The fireworks are set to start just after 9pm on July 4.
Burr Ridge
Burr Ridge is celebrating the 247th Independence Day early with 9:30pm fireworks on July 3. The Pleasant Dale Park District is hosting the free event with food vendors, family yard games, a dunk tank and a balloon artist. Parking passes are offered at $20 for those travelling in for the celebrations.
DeKalb County
Fireworks will light off from Hopkins Park roughly 30 minutes after sunset on July 4 in DeKalb County. The family-friendly event is open to the public and free of charge.
Des Plaines
Oakton College in Des Plaines hosts the 247th Independence Day fireworks show at 9:45pm on July 2. Attendees are requested to bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch the show. The event features a DJ and family-friendly yard games starting at 7pm.
Downers Grove/Woodridge
Zigfield Troy Golf is closing out Independence Day with its fireworks finale. The show will take place at 9:30pm on July 4 at the course.
Evanston
Evanston is providing the lakefront with fireworks viewable from most lakefront parks. Fireworks will launch around 9:30pm on July 4 and are part of a larger Independence Day celebration that commemorates 100 years of the holiday's celebration in Evanston.
Elgin
A parade, concert and fireworks show are all a part of Elgin's Independence Day celebration this year. With a '90s throwback theme, the suburb will host its festival with fireworks kicking off at 9:20pm on July 4. Fireworks are expected to last for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Glenview
Glenview kicks off Independence Day with a 11:20 am bike race and a festival with food vendors and a live DJ before closing the night out with a 9:20 pm fireworks show on July 4.
Glencoe
The Village of Glencoe will light up its skies with a 9 pm fireworks show on July 3 ahead of Independence Day.
Glen Ellyn
Fireworks in Glenn Ellyn will be held at dusk on July 4 at Lake Ellyn. Attendees are requested to bring blankets after the park’s morning opening at 6 am and are also encouraged to make a donation. The Independence Day celebrations will begin earlier in the day with the Glen Ellyn parade’s kickoff at 12 pm.
Joliet
Memorial Stadium will host Joliet’s 9:30 pm fireworks show on July 4 coordinated to a music broadcast on STAR 96.7. Blankets are welcome in the stadium, though lawn chairs and coolers are prohibited. Soccer field parking lot, Joliet Township Animal Control lot will be closed for safety.
Lake Forest
The 16th annual Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks will take place from 5pm-10pm on July 4. Tickets can be purchased for $30 for Lake Forest/Lake Bluff residents and $35 for non-residents. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge.
Lemont
Lemont is celebrating ahead of Independence Day with fireworks at 9:30pm on July 3. The event will feature DJs, food vendors, a beer booth and a Kid’s Zone.
Lisle
Starting at 9:30 pm on July 3, Community Park will host Libertyville’s Independence Day Fireworks. The show is scheduled to last approximately 25 minutes. Bringing blankets and lawn chairs is recommended.
Lombard
Madison Meadow Park will host the Village of Lombard’s fireworks on July 4. Starting at dusk, the family-friendly event will also be weather-dependent. Updates will be posted on the Lombard Facebook page.
Mundelein
The Mundelein Community Days fireworks show will start at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4 as the finale to the four-day festival event.
Naperville
Naperville will host a free fireworks show for the fourth year in a row in celebration of Independence Day. Starting at 9:30 pm on July 4, the Frontier Sports Complex will allow attendees to watch from a field within the park or from the comfort of their vehicles.
Taste of Oak Brook
Celebrations at Taste of Oakbrook open at 3 p.m. on July 3. Food service is set to kick off at 4 pm with fireworks after dusk at approximately 9:30 p.m. The show is free for all attendees and offers parking passes here.
Oak Lawn
The Village of Oak Lawn presents its free Independence Day fireworks show at Richards High School. Starting at dusk, fireworks will light up the sky on July 4.
Orland Park
Fireworks will light up the sky after 9:30pm. on July 4. Attendees are encouraged to pack blankets, lawn chars, snacks and beverages, though concessions, beer and wine will also be available for purchase. Fireworks are set to wrap up by 10:15 pm.
Oswego
Prairie Point Park will host Oswego’s Independence Day Fireworks display at 9:30pm on July 4. The event is free to attend and family-friendly.
Palatine
Independence Day Fireworks will be launched behind Village Hall around 9 p.m. or after dusk in Palatine on July 3. The event is free to attend and part of a four-day Independence Day celebration.
Pingree Grove
Featured as the last event of Pingree Grove’s two-day belated Independence Day celebration, free fireworks will start at the Cambridge Lakes Community Center after dusk on July 8.
Rockford
Downtown Rockford will get the chance to celebrate Independence Day with a "firework spectacle" at 9:30pm on July 4. The show will be synched to a soundtrack broadcasted on 103.1 and is expected to wrap up around 10 p.m.
Romeoville
The Village of Romeoville will feature three fireworks shows at separate locations. Starting at 9:30 p.m. on July 3, fireworks will be shot off at Volunteer Park, Lukancic Middle School and Discovery Park. Parking at these facilities will be closed on July 3 beginning at 9 a.m.
Schaumburg
Not only do the Schaumburg Boomers play on July 3 and 4 at Wintrust Field, but both games will also feature post-game firework shows. The Boomers take on the Joliet Slammers at 6:30 p.m. on July 3 and 6 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks for both dates will take place after the game.
Tinley Park
Ribfest is Tinley Park’s Independence Day celebration running from July 1-4, and it wraps up with a firework show finale. The family-friendly event will launch its fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4 with free admission for Tinley Park residents with proof of residency on that day only. Tickets can be purchased for $10 online and $15 at the gate.
Vernon Hills
Fireworks in Vernon Hills will be held at 9:15 p.m. at Century Park on July 4. The event is free for all attendees and temporary lane closures should be expected to allow cars to safely exit adjacent parking lots.
Wheaton
Graf Park will host the Wheaton fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 3. The park will also feature lawn games, concessions, small carnival rides, DJ entertainment and giveaways beforehand starting at 5:30 p.m. No pets, alcoholic beverages, sparklers, smoke bombs or outside food vendors are permitted in the park.
Wilmette
Wilmette is celebrating Independence Day with a packed schedule of events, entertainment and food sales from 5pm-10pm with a closing firework finale. Starting at 9:30pm, the fireworks show will take place on July 3 in Gilson Park.
Winnetka
Fireworks in Winnetka can be seen around 9:20 p.m. on July 4 at Skokie Playfield as a part of the Fourthfest Independence Day celebration.
Warrenville
Warrensville’s annual Independence Day Celebration will take place across two days with a July 3 parade and a fireworks finale at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4. The celebration will include food, children’s games, entertainment, baseball games, live music and more.
