2015 North Shore Fireworks

Looking for your fireworks or parade fix on the Fourth of July?

Here’s where to go! Before you head out the door, though, you might want to check out the best places to fill up your picnic basket.

Barrington

July 3-5
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk

Barrington’s Fourth of July “Brat Tent” Festival is a three-day event from Thursday, July 2 to Saturday, July 4. It’s held in the Metra North Commuter parking lot in Downtown Barrington and includes bands, kids activities, food and drinks.

The Fourth of July Parade, “Barrington Through the Decades,” starts at 10 a.m. Fireworks go off at Barrington High School (616 West Main) at dusk.

Deerfield

July 3-4
Fireworks: July 3 at dusk

Deerfield Family Days spans two days, with entertainment and fireworks on July 3 at Brickyards Park.

Head to Jewett Park on July 4 for a pancake breakfast, arts and crafts, bike show, dog show, rotary 10K race, petting zoo, pony rides, a parade, a flower show and more!

Evanston

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.

Evanston’s Fourth of July Parade begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Lawn chairs can be placed on Central Avenue beginning at 6 a.m. on July 1. The twilight concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Lakefront Fireworks go off at 9:15 p.m. The 2014 musical fireworks extravaganza will be launched from Clark Street Beach and can be viewed from any part of the lakefront area east of Downtown Evanston. Watch the fireworks and tune into 90.5 FM to listen to the tunes!

Glenview

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk

Kick off Glenview’s Independence Day Celebration with a children’s decorated bike parade on July 4 at 11:15 a.m. (The main parade starts at 11:20 a.m.) This year’s parade kicks off at the intersection of Harlem and Glenview Road, heading south on Harlem, then marching west on Central before ending at Johns Park.

At 7 p.m., the 2014 Twilight Show will begin. Taking place on the beautiful grounds of the Gallery Park, the Twilight Show begins with a patriotic concert by the 100-piece North Shore Concert Band. The show ends with fireworks synchronized to patriotic music.

Great Lakes Naval Base

Friday, July 3 from 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, July 4 from 3-10 p.m.

This two-day celebration includes live music, a bingo tent with tons of prizes, a craft fair with handmade items, a 5K Twilight Run, festival food, beverage booths and lots more! Fireworks shows take place both nights.

Located at Naval Station Great Lakes–Ross Field, Route 137, Great Lakes, Ill.

Highland Park

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk

Start the day with a Children’s Bike & Pet Parade at 9:30 a.m. and an Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. The parade, held in Downtown Highland Park, will be followed by Fourth Fest at Sunset Park.

At 5 p.m., settle into Wolters Field for the Bitter Jester Battle of the Bands and nighttime fireworks.

Lake Bluff

July 4

Lake Bluff Fourth of July Celebration—Parade at 10 a.m. from Oak Avenue on East Center Avenue.

Lake Forest

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:40 p.m.

Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks—On July 4, head to Deerpath Community Park (400 Hastings Road) for live bands, including Six Strings Crossing and Wynonna Judd & the Big Noise. There is a $10 admission fee.

Libertyville

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.

Enjoy a performance by the Village Band at 7:30 p.m. before the fireworks display at Butler Lake Park, 820 Lake St.

Morton Grove

July 2-4
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk

Don’t miss Morton Grove Days, a three-day festival which features carnival rides, a beer garden, live music, delicious food, and a parade and fireworks display. Morton Grove Park District fireworks take place at Harrer Park, 6250 Dempster St.

Northbrook

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk

Be sure to stop by Village Green Park beginning at 7 a.m. for pancakes, music and family games on July 4 and check out the bike parade beginning at 2:15 p.m.

Northbrook’s Fourth of July parade features floats, music and fun for all ages starting at 2:30 p.m. It begins at Cherry and Western and ends at Shermer and Meadow.

Fireworks take place at Meadowhill Park and Techny Prairie Park and Fields.

Skokie

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk (rain date: July 5)

The Skokie Independence Day parade begins at noon on Saturday, July 4, with the party moving to Niles West High School (5701 Oakton St.) at 5 p.m. for food, drinks and live bands. The 3-D Fireworks Fest begins at dusk, and the first 10,000 in attendance will receive a free pair of 3-D glasses.

Vernon Hills

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

Vernon Hills’ parade begins at 9 a.m. at Deerpath and Atrium Drive. The Vernon Hills Park District then sponsors live entertainment, The Big Fun Band, at Century Park beginning at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks wrapping up the show.

Wilmette

July 3
Fireworks: July 3 at 9:30 p.m.

The festivities begin at Gillson Park at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 3. At 7 p.m., Starlight Theatre will preview their summer musical, “Once Upon a Mattress,” at the Wallace Bowl, where the Palatine Concert Band will perform at 7:15 p.m. This event closes with a fireworks display over Lake Michigan.

Winnetka

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:20 p.m.

Kick off Winnetka’s Fourth of July Celebrations with the parade at 10 a.m. at Elm and Glendale. Activites begin on the Village Green at 11 a.m. with a children’s flag parade and family races. Wrap up the evening with Fourthfest at 6 p.m. at Duke Childs Field, 1321 Willow Road. The spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:20 p.m.

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