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4th of July Weekend in Chicago: Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things to Do with Kids

Chicago has lots of parades and fireworks for July 4th weekend. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Parks Department
Chicago has lots of parades and fireworks for July 4th weekend. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Parks Department
6/28/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this 4th of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Not sure what to do with the kids this Fourth of July weekend in Chicago? We've rounded up tons of events this weekend, including fireworks, parades, festivals, and carnivals for patriots of all sizes! And plenty of the things to do in Chicago this 4th of July weekend are perfect for littles who can't stay up late enough to see fireworks: Kids can enjoy parades in Hyde Park, Hinsdale, or Arlington Heights; concerts in Rosemont, Grant Park or Cantigny Park; or festivals in Washington Park or Oak Brook.

Beat the heat this weekend in Chicago at one of the best free public pools or lakeside beaches. Or get out of town for the Fourth of July weekend with a Chicago-area day trip, by staying at a local campground, or discovering one of the best children's museums in the country.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach towel. Plus, each entry also counts as an extra entry into our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook page!

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids

 

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Don't miss the beautiful 4th of July fireworks in Chicago over Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
Don't miss the beautiful 4th of July fireworks in Chicago over Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Things to Do In Chicago with Kids Fourth of July Weekend

Naperville Salute

Naperville
Friday, June 30, 2023- Monday, July 3, 2023
Naperville Salute honors veterans with a celebration full of live music, fireworks, family fun, and a ruck march. Family activities include include exotic animals, face painting, interactive ninja course, patriotic crafts, magic, balloon animals and more! READ MORE

Orland Park Fourth of July Celebration

Orland Park
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Celebrate Independence Day with live music and fireworks at Centennial Park. The celebration is the conclusion of a weekend festival that includes a 5k run, concerts, and more. Concessions, wine, and beer are available for purchase. READ MORE

Bridgeview 3rd of July Celebration

Bridgeview
Monday, July 3, 2023
Live music from a DJ and food trucks will precede fireworks at Commissioners Park in Bridgeview. Music starts at 5:30pm and food trucks continue throughout the night. READ MORE

Westmont Independence Day Celebration

Westmont
Monday, July 4, 2023
Westmont celebrates Independence Day at this annual event featuring food trucks, concessions, beer, crafts, games, and music. The day concludes with fireworks at Ty Warner Park. READ MORE

Summer Fireworks Saturdays at Navy Pier

Downtown Saturday, July 1, 2023
Fireworks fans of all ages can enjoy a spectacular display, synchronized to music, for FREE every Saturday night at Navy Pier.  READ MORE

Hinsdale Fourth of July Parade

Hinsdale
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Hinsdale's Independence Day Parade is on Tuesday, July 4 this year, starting at 10am. The lineup includes nearly 60 entries including fire trucks, dancers, color guards, and local organizations & dignitaries. The West Suburban Concert Band will perform at the end of the parade route. READ MORE

Aurora Fourth of July Parade

Aurora
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Aurora hosts its annual Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. on the holiday. The parade steps off from Benton Street and River Street, continues east on Benton toward Broadway, north on Broadway to Downer Place and west to River Place, where it concludes. READ MORE

4th on 53rd Parade and Picnic

Hyde Park
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Enjoy a parade along Lake Park Avenue, 55th Street, Hyde Park Avenue, and 53rd Street. Then, decorate bikes for the bike parade and enjoy picnic classics and new favorite activities in Nichols Park.  READ MORE

Wheaton 4th of July Parade

Wheaton
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Wheaton celebrates Independence Day with the return of its Fourth of July Parade. The town encourages locals to create an entry into the parade with the them of Star Spangled Summer.. READ MORE

Fourth of July in Glen Ellyn

Glen Ellyn
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Celebrate the Fourth of July in Glen Ellyn with a parade and fireworks on July 4. This year's parade grand marshal is MLB player and coach Billy Williams. READ MORE

Glenview Fourth of July Celebration

Glenview
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Glenview celebrates the Fourth of July with floats, a bike parade, entertainers, live music and giveaways in Gallery Park. Fireworks will go off after dusk. READ MORE

Frontier Days

Arlington Heights
Friday, June 30, 2023- Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Arlington Heights' annual Fourth of July fun fest returns in full force in 2022 with live entertainment, a carnival, a 5k race, food vendors, a Fourth of July parade, and fireworks. READ MORE

Mount Prospect Lions Club Annual Fourth of July Festival

Mount Prospect
Friday, June 30, 2023- Tuesday, July 4, 2023
A carnival, live entertainment, food, and beer & wine are available at this annual festival. Fireworks shows light up the sky on June 30 and July 4. READ MORE

Fourthfest Winnetka

Winnetka
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Independence Day in Winnetka includes a celebration for families at Skokie Playfields. Activities include a giant slide, inflatables and rides, sports activities, a balloon artist, crafts, and more. A parade kicks off the activities at 10 a.m., and the day wraps up with fireworks at 9:20 p.m. READ MORE

Elmwood Park 4th of July Celebration

Elmwood Park
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Elmwood Park celebrates Independence Day with a parade, live music, and fireworks. READ MORE

Rockin' in the Park in Rosemont

Rosemont
Monday, July 3, 2023
Listen to a different local band every Thursday and select holidays throughout the summer at Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont. Fireworks follow select shows. READ MORE

Live on the Lake!

Downtown
Saturday, July 1, 2023, Sunday, July 2, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evening, Navy Pier presents local musical acts performing live for families. From cover bands to jazz to DJs to country music—there is something for everyone at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. READ MORE

Tuesdays on the Terrace

Downtown
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Museum of Contemporary Art showcases some of Chicago's favorite musiciansin a weekly concert on its terrace. This year’s series includes the jazz music always featured at MCA, along with other Chicago favorite genres like hip-hop, house, blues, bomba, and more. READ MORE

International Festival of Life

Washington Park Saturday, July 1, 2023- Tuesday, July 4, 2023
The International Festival Of Life  features a very diverse showcase of culture and music from the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, and United States.  The objective of the festival is to bring nations together and live together as one. READ MORE

Taste of Oak Brook

Oak Brook Monday, July 3, 2023
The Village of Oak Brook offers local families a taste of its cuisine and a little fun at the annual Taste of Oak Brook festival. Kids' activities include face painting, a bounce house and a petting zoo. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. READ MORE

Wheaton Independence Day Celebration

Wheaton Monday, July 3, 2023
Enjoy a day of lawn games, concessions, music, and giveaways followed by fireworks at Wheaton's Graf Park. A Boy Scout troop will perform a flag ceremony before the fireworks begin at dusk. READ MORE

Tinley Park Fourth of July Celebration

Tinley Park Monday, July 3, 2023
Enjoy fireworks set off from the 80th Avenue Station in Tinley Park for the Fourth of July. The event will include live music and food and beverages for sale. READ MORE

Lemont Fireworks

Lemont Monday, July 3, 2023
Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, DJs, food vendors, live music, and a KidZone at Centennial Park. The celebration concludes a week of fun activities in the southwest suburb. READ MORE

Barrington Fireworks and Fourth of July Celebrations

Barrington Sunday, July 2, 2023
Kick off Independence Day with a fireworks show at Barrington High School. Musical performances will be held in the Metra parking lot throughout the weekend, while the parade will take place on Tuesday, July 4. READ MORE

Mundelein Community Days

Mundelein Saturday, July 1, 2023-Sunday July 4, 2023
Mundelein's annual community festival includes fireworks, a carnival, a parade, music, food, contests and games and lots of kids activities. This year, the festival has been moved to Village Hall Plaza. READ MORE

Cantigny Outdoor Concerts

Wheaton Sunday, July 2, 2023and Tuesday July 4, 2023
Families can enjoy a series of tribute bands, military music, and bluegrass groups at the bandshell at Cantigny every Sunday at 3pm. READ MORE

Elmhurst 4 on the 4th and Kids 1K

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Elmhurst
Run four miles to celebrate the Fourth of July! Kids ages 5-12 can participate in a 1K kids' dash. No strollers will be allowed in the 4-mile. READ MORE

Highland Park Fourth of July Remembrance

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Highland Park
The City of Highland Park remembers the victims of the Highland Park shooting on July 4, 2023. Visit City Hall at 10 a.m. for a ceremony and performance by Highland Park Strings. A moment of silence will take place at 10:14 a.m., the time of the first shots. At 11 a.m., community members are invited to walk the 2022 parade route to honor those who were lost. No performances will take place along the route and all are asked to walk instead of spectate for this memorial event. Community members can also take part in a picnic with family friendly games and live entertainment at 11:30... READ MORE
Summer Film Series photo courtesy of Millennium Park
Summer Film Series photo courtesy of Millennium Park

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Lake Geneva beach photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins
Lake Geneva beach photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

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Places featured in this article:

Frontier Sports Complex
4th on 53rd Parade Staging Grounds
Lake Ellyn Park & Boathouse
Museum of Contemporary Art
Illinois Beach State Park