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Best Places to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Chicago 2024
fireworks
Photograph: Shutterstock
Photograph: Shutterstock

Where to see Fourth of July 2024 fireworks in Chicago

From the lakefront all the way out to the suburbs, Chicago's Fourth of July fireworks fill the sky with dazzling explosions

Jeffy Mai
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One of the best parts of summer in Chicago is watching fireworks light up the sky on the Fourth of July! You've got plenty of options for catching a show this year, whether you'd rather head out to the suburbs for weekend-long festivals and parades or stick to Chicago to see Navy Pier's iconic display along the lakefront from beaches or boat cruises. So after you've had your fill of outdoor barbecues and other patriotic festivities, grab a blanket and settle down for an incredible show of sparkling fireworks—you can plan your holiday with the help of our guide to the best fireworks shows on the Fourth of July in the Chicago area.

Where is the Fourth of July fireworks show in Chicago?

This year, you can see the main fireworks show over Lake Michigan at Navy Pier on Wednesday, July 3 at 9pm. 

Where are the best places to watch the Fourth of July fireworks in Chicago? 

The Navy Pier fireworks are relatively high-altitude, which means you can see them from a variety of vantage points throughout the city. Stake out a spot along Navy Pier's outdoor areas (Polk Bros Park or the rooftop patio at Offshore are always good bets) or head to downtown rooftops and Chicago beaches like Oak Street, North Avenue and Ohio Street. Navy Pier also offers a number of lake and river cruises that can be booked online

RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Fourth of July in Chicago

Fourth of July fireworks in Chicago

  • Things to do
  • Festivals

Navy Pier hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows throughout the summer, including an explosive celebration the night before Independence Day that's sure to be dazzling. Stake out a spot on the Pier to see the spectacle up close.

Navy Pier. July 3 at 9pm; free.

For an evening of soccer and pyrotechnics, make your way to Soldier Field to watch the Chicago Fire take on the Philadelphia Union at 7:30pm. Fireworks will follow after the game is over.

Soldier Field. July 3 at dusk; price varies.

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You can watch Aurora's Fourth of July fireworks from either RiverEdge Park or McCullough Park, where DJs will spin tunes from 6pm onward—get there when gates open to secure your spot. Food trucks will be selling bites at Wilder Park and Promenade—accessible by foot from both parks.

RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park. July 3 at dusk; free.

Take the Metra out to Barrington for a week full of Fourth of July festivities, including fireworks on Tuesday night, concerts and a parade on Thursday, which steps off at 10am on Main Street. 

Barrington High School. July 2 at 9:30pm; free.

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Brought to you by the World's Largest Laundromat in Berwyn, this fireworks show takes place at Morton West High School's football stadium.

Morton West High School. July 3 at 9pm; free.

Celebrate our nation's independence with a parade through the Uptown business district at noon, followed by fireworks at Waterfall Park beginning at 9pm.

Waterfall Park. July 4 at 9pm; free.

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The Bridgeview Park District hosts a "3rd of July" celebration on Wednesday, complete with food trucks and a live DJ. 

Commissioners Park. July 3 at 9:15pm; free.

Burbank hosts Party in the Park the weekend before the Fourth of July, offering carnival rides, games, live music and food vendors from June 27-30. A huge fireworks show will take place Saturday night.

Narragansett Park. June 29 at 9:45pm; free.

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Get your holiday fun in a little early with the Des Plaines community fireworks show on June 30 at Oakton College. The event will include a live DJ, games and light refreshments for purchase.

Oakton College. June 30 at 9:15pm; free.

Start the holiday with Elgin's Fourth of July parade (there's even one for pets), stepping off at Douglas and Slade. Head to Festival Park for music, food trucks, drinks, kids' activities, tabletop games, a pie-eating contest and, of course, fireworks at 9:20pm. The entertainment lineup includes Second Hand Soul, iPop and American Vinyl All Star Band.

Festival Park. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

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Elk Grove launches its Mid-Summer Classics Concert Series with a performance by the Beach Boys on the Fourth of July. Stick around afterwards for fireworks, courtesy of the local Lions Club.

Rotary Green. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Evanston's Fourth of July festivities kick off with a parade on Central Street, from Central Park Avennue to Ashland Avenue, at 2pm. The fun continues with a performance by the Palatine Concert Band at Dawes Park in the evening, followed by fireworks.

Dawes Park. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

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Fireworks will light up the sky above Lake Michigan during Glencoe's Wednesday night display at Lakefront Park. Kicking off at 5pm, the event will feature food trucks, games and live music by the Boy Band Review. Come back on Thursday afternoon for the town's Independence Day Parade, which steps off at 1pm at the intersection of South and Hawthorn Avenues.

Lakefront Park. July 3 at 9pm; free.

Kick off Fourth of July celebrations in Glen Ellyn with a parade at noon, which makes its way east along Fawell Boulevard. The fireworks begin at dusk, so stake out a spot early (you can set out you blanket beginning at 6am, so long as you don't use rocks or stakes to hold it down) and settle in for a show.

Lake Ellyn Park. July 4 at dusk; free.

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Glenview's Fourth of July parade pushes off from Harlem Avenue and Glenview Road at 11:20am (the bike parade starts at 11:15am from Jackman Park). Later, head to Gallery Park at 6pm for food vendors, live music and a DJ-led dance party, followed by a 26-minute fireworks display synchronized to music. 

Gallery Park. July 4 at 9:20pm; free.

Enjoy five days of games, carnival rides, live entertainment and much more with Hoffman Estate's Northwest Fourth-Fest, which happens July 3-7. The fireworks show is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30pm.

NOW Arena. July 6 at 9:30pm; free.

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Watch local independent baseball team the Chicago Dogs face the Sioux Falls Canaries in Rosemont on the Fourth of July. Fans can enjoy $2 canned beer plus the largest fireworks show of the season after the game.

Impact Field. July 4 at 9:30pm; price varies.

The village of Itasca will put on an explosive celebration at Hamilton Lakes on the Fourth of July. The show will be preceded by Chicagoland cover band the Maggie Speaks and festivities by local food trucks. Church Street Brewing will also be on hand to pour a selection of craft beers. 

Hamilton Lakes. July 4 at 9:45pm; free, $25 for on-site parking.

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This Fourth of July celebration will feature live tunes from tribute bands Dancing Queen and The Shagadelics so prepare to dance your heart out before the fireworks start.

Deerpath Community Park. July 4 at dusk, gates open at 5pm. $30-$35, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents $25-$30, kids 5 and under free.

Come celebrate Independence Day with food, drinks, kids' activities, a live DJ and fireworks at Lemont's Centennial Park. The main event starts at 9:30pm.

Centennial Park. July 3 at 9:30pm; free.

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You'll have plenty to do at Morton Grove Days, a multi-day festival held annually over the Fourth of July. Enjoy carnival rides, a beer garden and a lineup of live entertainment. A parade will be held on July 4, followed by fireworks later that evening.

Harrer Park. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Catch two nights of fireworks beginning at 9:30pm as part of the Independence Day celebrations put on by the local Lions Club, with one display on July 4 and another July 7. Folks can also enjoy a packed roster of events in between the fireworks, from tribute band performances to carnival rides.

Melas Park. July 4 and 7 at 9:30pm; free.

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Naperville celebrates Independence Day with a free fireworks show at Frontier Sports Complex, which you can watch from your vehicle or the field. Arrive early for a performance by the Naperville Municipal Band from 7:30pm-8:15pm at the Wagner Pavilion.

Frontier Sports Complex. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Start the day with a parade down 26th Street before heading to Commons Park in the evening for family-friendly entertainment, food vendors and live music by Hello Weekend. Fireworks will conclude the festivities.

Commons Park. July 4 at dusk; free.

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Commemorate Independence Day at the Taste of Oak Brook, where attendees can enjoy a host of delectable bites from local eateries, sip a cold beverage in a beer garden and listen to live tunes by Sixteen Candles and Modern Day Romeos. At dusk, a 25-minute fireworks display will light up the sky.

Village Sports Core Fields. July 3 at dusk; free.

Ooh and aah at fireworks going off above Richards High School on the Fourth of July. The show starts at dusk.

Richards High School. July 4 at dusk; free.

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Celebrate Independence Day in Orland Park with a performance by '90s tribute band How Rude from 7:15pm–9:30pm. The crowd will then be invited to join in the singing of the national anthem before fireworks begin at 9:30pm.

Centennial ParkJuly 4 at 9:30pm; free.

A packed schedule of activities and performances await you at Palatine's annual Hometown Fest. Check out the carnival or listen to live tunes from acts like Anthem, Pino Farina, Capital Soiree and more, who will play as late as midnight. Fireworks will light up the skies at dusk on July 5, while the parade takes place on July 6 at 11am.

Community Park. July 5 at dusk; free.

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The celebrations kick off on July 3 with inflatables and games at Community Park from 10am-1pm. Later that night, folks will gather at Memorial Park for a fireworks show. The Fourth of July parade steps off at noon the next day.

Community Park. July 3 at 9:15pm; free.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic (sans alcohol and grills) for an evening of live music and family-friendly entertainment before the Park Ridge fireworks show begins at dusk.

Maine East High SchoolJuly 3 at dusk; free.

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Rosemont's Rockin' in the Park summer concert series hosts this Fourth of July show, where you can watch Silver Bullet STL (a Bob Seger cover group). Afterwards, a musical fireworks display will light up the sky. Check out the Rockin' in the Park website for a full schedule of shows that will feature fireworks this summer.

Parkway Bank Park. July 4 at dusk, concert 7pm–10pm; free.

Watch the U.S. men's national rugby union team take on Romania at Bridgeview's SeatGeek Stadium as part of the 2024 American Series. After the game, fans will be treated to a fireworks show in celebration of Independence Day.

SeatGeek Stadium. July 5 at dusk; price varies.

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After Skokie's downtown parade (which starts at noon on July 4) folks can attend a party at Niles West High School that's full of food, drinks and live music from cover bands. But the main event happens at 9:30pm, when the town presents its stunning fireworks show.

Niles West High SchoolJuly 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Pig out at Tinley Park's annual rib fest, where attendees can sample smoked meats from spots like Austin’s Texas Lightning, Howling Coyote, GIT-R-SMOKED and more. The four-day event will also feature a host of live bands, including Led Zeppelin cover band Kashmir, country artist Eric Chessner and the Chicago Tribute Anthology, as well as a fireworks show on July 4.

18001 S. 80th Ave. July 4 at 9:30; $15, free for Tinley Park residents.

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The village of Westmont celebrates America's birthday with an evening of food trucks, kids' activities, walk-around entertainment and live music by Black Bolts. At 9:30pm, grab a seat for the dazzling pyrotechnics display. 

Ty Warner Park. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Unlike most suburbs, Wheaton's Fourth of July fireworks take place on July 3. Show up to Graf Park for lawn games, music, concessons and carnival rides; the fireworks will take to the skies at 9pm. Keep the celebrations going the next morning at the city's parade in downtown Wheaton.

Graf Park. July 3 at 9pm; free.

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Happening at the Chicago Executive Airport, Wheeling's Rock 'N' Run kicks off with a 5K race down the runway at 8am on June 29. The festivities continue later in the day with food trucks, balloon artists, magicians, face painters, live music by Wildfire and Mike & Joe, and a fireworks show.

Chicago Executive Airport. June 29 at 9:15pm; free.

Even if you're not participating in Wilmette's Yankee Doodle Dash 5K on July 3, you can head to Gillson Park for an evening of food, concerts, performances and a fireworks show to cap off the night.

Gillson ParkJuly 3 at 9:30pm; free.

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Get your adrenaline going on the morning of the Fourth with the Firecracker 5K, which races along the Green Bay Trail. A parade will follow at 10am on the corner of Elm Street and Glendale Avenue. After you've recovered, head to Duke Child's Field for fireworks starting at 9:20pm.

Duke Child's Field. July 4 at 9:20pm; free.

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