Looking for some fun this Fourth of July? Look no further, because we’ve put together a list of events for this weekend that you and your whole family can enjoy. Just be sure to double check event details as they approach.
Chicago Dogs
Following the Chicago Dogs home games July 1 and 4, there will be a fireworks show over Impact Field. Tickets start as low as $9, and specials will be running throughout the holiday weekend.
- Thursday July 1 at 6:05 p.m.: $2 canned beers and post-game fireworks
- Friday, July 2 at 6:05 p.m.: Complimentary giveaway items for the first 1,500 fans. Happy hour from 5pm-6pm with drink specials and live music from School of Rock.
- Saturday, July 3 at 7:05 p.m.: continue celebrating Independence Day weekend with the Chicago Dogs
- Sunday, July 4 at 7:05 p.m.: post-game fireworks display
Glencoe
While their annual firework show has been postponed, Glencoe has an agenda filled with other July 4th Festivities! Start your day with their Rotary Fun Run, beginning at 8 am at the Glencoe Train Station. All ages are welcome. Later that afternoon, head to downtown Glencoe for the Village Independence Day Parade. The parade will begin at 1 PM at Central School, weave down Vernon Avenue to Park Avenue, and end at Village Hall.
Glenview
View this post on Instagram
On July 4, participate in Glenview’s “Reverse Parade” by decorating your own vehicle and driving through Community Park West to see all of the different floats. Go to Glenview’s Park District website to learn more. Later that night, attend Glenview’s Twilight Fireworks at Gallery Park. The music-synchronized display will start at approximately 9:15 pm.
Lake Forest
Buy your tickets today for Lake Forest’s 14th Annual Festival and Fireworks! Gates open at 5 pm. Enjoy this year’s music acts including 16 Candles and Hello Weekend. After the show, stay to watch Lake Forest’s extravagant firework display set to a playlist of patriotic songs. Celebrations will take place at Deerpath Community Park.
Naperville
Centered around appreciation for veterans, active military, first responders and their families, the Naperville Salute is a family-friendly celebration taking place July 3-4 at Rotary Hill. There will be free local entertainment and a fireworks “extravaganza” on July 4 at Frontier Park.
Navy Pier
For safety reasons, Navy Pier has made the difficult decision to forgo their annual Fourth of July fireworks. However, Chicagoans are still more than welcome to stop by the Pier for a weekend of family-friendly festivities, dining, boating, shopping, free entertainment and more! Stop by the Navy Pier Beer Garden and Wave Wall Platform all weekend long for live music, with performances by bands such as Fernando Jones & My Band!, Nathan Graham, OSTON, The Shades and Creedence Revived. Check out the schedules for July 3 and July 4.
Northbrook
Northbrook has put together an entire weekend’s worth of Fourth of July activities. On July 3, head over to Techny Prairie Parks and Fields in the morning for the Liberty Loop 5K Race and Liberty Lap Fun Run. In the afternoon, experience live music at Village Green Park, then head over to the Velodrome at Meadowhill Park at dusk for a DJ celebration and movie. On July 4, participate in the neighborhood bike parades before the fireworks at dusk. Fireworks will take place at the traditional location of Meadowhill Park and Techny Prairie Park and Fields.
Wilmette
Enjoy an active start to your holiday weekend by participating in Wilmette’s Yankee Doodle Dash 5K on July 3. The in-person race will begin at 8 a.m. at Gillson Park, but participants can also register to compete virtually on their own course. All participants must register ahead of time. Then, beginning at 4 p.m., make your way back to Gillson Park for live music performances and a variety of food vendors. These celebrations lead up to the firework display, which will begin around 9:30 p.m.
Postponed and Virtual Celebrations
- Evanston Virtual
- Deerfield Cancelled, moving fireworks to a fall celebration
- Highland Park Cancelled, moving fireworks to Labor Day celebration
More from Better:
- On the Market: 5 Chicago and North Shore Properties With Kitchens Worthy of Your Post-Pandemic Gatherings
- Convito Cafe in Wilmette Shares the Unique Story Behind One of Their Favorite Sauces
- New in Town: Rooftop Dining at Bar Avec, Pit & Tap Takes Over Nick’s Wilmette Location, and More
Alexa Weinberg is a summer intern for the editorial staff at Better. She is currently working toward a Cognitive Science and Psychology degree at the University of Michigan with a minor in Writing. At school, she works to promote her love of writing through various organizations, including Project WriteOn and WOLV-TV. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
