Since this is such a grea hit, I am again listing all the great 4th of July events that I am finding in the Chicagoland area. If you know of one, let me know and I'll get it listed!!
Aurora
Aurora Independence Day Parade
July 4, 9:15 a.m.
Batavia
Millview Drive and West Main Street, Batavia, IL
The event begins with our Savor-the-Flavor food vendors which begin to serve an assortment of treats at 5:00 p.m. and continues until the show begins at 9:30 p.m. Then after announcements and a welcome by the Mayor, the Sky Concert will begin at 9:30 p.m. (weather permitting). There is additional audience space on the Batavia High School athletic fields on West Main Street.
Rain Delays: Rain will not stop the show, however dangerous conditions—lightning or high winds—could cause the show to be delayed until the following evening. Parking: Absolutely no parking will be allowed on Wilson or Main Streets between Van Nortwick Avenue and Randall Road. No parking will be allowed on Randall Road from Main Street to McKee Street. Public parking for the show will be permitted at both high school parking lots (off Wilson & Main), the Ace Hardware Parking lot and at the Wilson Business Center on West Wilson Street. Parking will also be available at several of the major retail lots along Randall Road. A five-dollar donation per car will be requested at each lot. All proceeds will go to support the fireworks show. Parking in the high school lot off Main Street will be marked and reserved for vehicles carrying handicapped stickers.
Bensonville
Redmond Park, 3rd and John St., Bensenville
Parade at 10 a.m., activities noon-5 p.m., music 3-9:30 p.m., followed by fireworks, July 4
Channahon
Community Park 23200 W. McClintock Road
9:15 p.m. July 4
Chicago
Fourth of July Celebration
Chicago History Museum
July 4, 10 a.m.-noon
Chicago Heights
Bloom High School North Field, 101 W. 10 Street
July 3, at dusk
Performance by The Walk-ins, starting at 7 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.
Evergreen Park
Duffy Memorial Park, 92nd Street and Millard Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL
Parade Starts at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at dusk, July 3
Geneva
34W002 Cherry Lane Geneva, Illinois 60134
July 4, 2013, after the game, usually around 9 or 9:30 p.m.
The Cougars will ring in the Fourth with an all-you-can-eat picnic, player autographs and, of course, fireworks.
Glen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn 4th of July Parade
July 4, Noon
4th of July Fireworks
Lake Ellyn Park
July 4, Dusk
Bring your blanket for a traditional fireworks display. Visit GlenEllyn4thofJuly.com for information on special “Boomer Booster Seats” on the Lake Ellyn boathouse dock.
Highland Park
Fourth Fest
Sunset Woods Park
July 4 (Sunday) , 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Featuring carnival games, inflatables, train and pony rides, petting zoo, food and live entertainment.
Itasca
Hamilton Lakes, Thorndale and Park Blvd.
Live music at 6 p.m., Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. July 4
Joliet
3000 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
About 9:15 p.m. July 4
Gates open at 5 p.m.; concessions will be sold; live patriotic music prior to the show
La Grange
La Grange Country Club, 620 S. Brainard Ave., La Grange, IL
9:30 p.m. July 3
Gather in Waiola Park, 47th and Waiola, to watch the fireworks if you're not a member of the club. WLTL will simulcast music choreographed to the display.
Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks
Deerpath Park
July 4, 3-10 p.m.
Event features food, a beer garden, live music, activities for kids and fireworks display.
Lombard
Madison Meadow Park, East Madison Street and South Lewis Avenue in Lombard
Five-day Festival July 2-6 until 11 p.m. daily; bands, carnival, food, craft fair.
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. July 4
Naperville
Naperville Ribfest
Knoch Park
July 3 – July 7 (Sunday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday) , Noon-10 p.m.
After eating your fill (and maybe a few other people's fill, too) of ribs, settle in for Naperville's July 4th fireworks show, a 30-minute celebration kicking off at 9:30 p.m. Residents can also tune into 95.9 FM The River to hear a musical simulcast during the fireworks show.
Oak Forest
159th Street and Central Avenue, Oak Forest, IL
Dusk on Thursday, July 4
Oak Lawn
Star Spangled Fourth of July Celebration
Centennial Park
July 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; 6 p.m. evening
Oak Park
East Avenue and Lake Street, Oak Park, IL
Dusk, July 4
The event takes place at Oak Park-River Forest High School.
Orland Park
Centennial Park: 15600 West Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462
9:15 p.m. July 4
Members of the Orland-Palos Reber-Tesmond Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2604 will present colors at 9:15 p.m., followed by fireworks in the southwest sky. Final Say will perform on the main stage on Thursday, July 4 from 7:15 p.m. until the fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. The band’s repertoire includes the latest top 40 hits to classics.
Oswego
4120 Plainfield Road, Oswego / Prairie Point Park
9:30 p.m. July 4
Palos Heights
7402 Lake Katherine Dr Palos Heights, IL 60463
9:15 p.m., July 3
Plainfield
Plainfield Patriotic Picnic and Fireworks
July 3, 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
South Elgin
Red, White and Blue Bargain Day
Fox River Trolley Museum
July 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
St. Charles
Pottowatamie Park, 8. North Avenue, St. Charles, IL
Fireworks start at dusk, but the concerts start at 4 p.m. July 4
Alternate viewing location: Ferson Creek Park, 300 N. 2nd St (Route 31), St. Charles, Ill.
Tinley Park
McCarthy Park, 16801 W. 80th Ave., Tinley Park, IL
9:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 4
Wheaton
Two locations for fireworks:
Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Road, Wheaton, and the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton
About 9 p.m. July 3
Additional Information
Pre-fireworks activities, music and concessions begin at 5:30 p.m. July 3 at both locations.
Independence Day Celebration
July 4, Noon-4 p.m.
Yorkville
Rt. 47 and Countryside Parkway, Yorkville, IL
Dusk, July 4
All 4th of July activities are free to everyone, except food/ drink purchases and are subject to change without notice – Donations are welcome.
I can’t WAIT for the 4th … this post reminds me that I need to find out what’s happening in our area.
Sounds some fun ways to celebrate the 4th!
Sounds like some great events. We always go to my MIL’s for 4th of July. Luckily, we just moved right across the street from her, so we don’t have too far to go.
Sounds like a great way to celebrate the 4th!
Wow, there are a lot of places to celebrate for the 4th. I can’t wait to get the BBQ going.
Fireworks are the best!
I have tons of family in IL, I’ll have to send this to them!
You sure have lots of options, don’t you?
How wonderful, thanks for the list, I can’t wait to see some fireworks this year!
Hope you have a wonderful 4th!
I love fireworks, but I think the fireworks here will be rained out. I hope you have a great July 4th!
This is a great lineup!
Wow, there sure was a lot going on in your area!
It looks like you had a lot of great options. Sadly, most of our festivities got rained out this year.
July 4th is always a great time to get out in the community and meet people.
Looks like there were a lot of options.
Sounds like y’all had a ton of great festivities going on.
What a lot of great options!
Looks like there was lots of fun things to do!
We parked on the beach for fireworks this year. This was the first time we’ve watched fireworks in about 10 years.
What a great round up!