As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, many people in the Chicago area wonder where to watch fireworks displays to celebrate Independence Day. Luckily, plenty of options exist for those looking to enjoy colorful explosions in the sky.

What happens if July 4th falls on a Tuesday

One of Chicago’s most popular places to watch fireworks is Navy Pier. The pier hosts a fireworks display every Wednesday and Saturday night during the summer, and their Fourth of July display is always a crowd-pleaser. This year, the fireworks will begin at 9:30 pm on July 4th, and viewers can watch from the pier itself or nearby beaches and parks.

There are plenty of options if you’re looking for a more suburban celebration. In the northern suburbs, the village of Libertyville will be hosting a fireworks display at Butler Lake Park on July 4th. The show will begin at 9:30 pm, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the display.

In the western suburbs, Aurora will host a Fourth of July celebration at RiverEdge Park. The event will include live music, food vendors, and a fireworks display at 9:35 pm. Admission is free, but attendees must arrive early to secure a good spot.

In the southern suburbs, the village of Orland Park will host a fireworks display at Centennial Park on July 4th. The show will begin at 9:15 pm, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the display.

No matter where you choose to watch fireworks this Fourth of July weekend, it’s important to remember to stay safe. Make sure to follow all local fireworks laws and regulations, and keep a safe distance from the launch site. With some planning and preparation, you can enjoy a memorable and safe Independence Day celebration in Chicago.

Bensenville Liberty Fest

The Village of Bensenville’s July 4th Liberty Fest featuring food, drinks and music follows the festival’s parade at the Redmond Recreational Complex. Fireworks are set to launch from the Public Works Facility at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. A full flyer can be found here.

Bolingbrook

Bolingbrook’s Independence Day closes out with a fireworks display and the National Anthem sung by Rebecca Battista. The fireworks are set to start just after 9 p.m. on July 4.

Burr Ridge

Complete with food vendors, family yard games, a dunk tank and a balloon artist, Burr Ridge will celebrate Independence Day early with 9:30 p.m. fireworks on July 3. The Pleasant Dale Park District hosts this free event with $20 parking passes offered for those traveling in for the celebration.

DeKalb County

Fireworks will light off from Hopkins Park roughly 30 minutes after sunset on July 4 in DeKalb County. The family-friendly event is open to the public and free of charge.

Des Plaines

Oakton College in Des Plaines hosts its Fourth of July fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. on July 2. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch the show. The event features a DJ and family-friendly yard games starting at 7 p.m.

Downers Grove/Woodridge

Zigfield Troy Golf is closing out Independence Day with its fireworks finale. The show will take place at 9:30 p.m. on July 4 at the course.

Evanston

Evanston is providing the lakefront with fireworks viewable from most lakefront parks. Fireworks will launch around 9:30 p.m. on July 4 and are part of a larger Independence Day celebration that commemorates 100 years of the holiday’s celebration in Evanston.

Elgin

A parade, concert and fireworks show are all a part of Elgin’s Independence Day celebration this year. With a ’90s throwback theme, the suburb will host its festival with fireworks kicking off at 9:20 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks are expected to last for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

Glenview

Glenview kicks off Independence Day with a 11:20 a.m. bike race and a festival with food vendors and a live DJ before closing the night out with a 9:20 p.m. fireworks show on July 4.

Glencoe

The Village of Glencoe will light up its skies with a 9 p.m. fireworks show on July 3 ahead of Independence Day. The display over Lake Michigan can be enjoyed from Lakefront Park at 9 p.m.

Glen Ellyn

Fireworks in Glenn Ellyn will be held at dusk on July 4 at Lake Ellyn. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets after the park’s morning opening at 6 a.m. and are also encouraged to donate. The Independence Day celebrations will begin earlier in the day with the Glen Ellyn parade’s kickoff at 12 p.m.

Joliet

Memorial Stadium will host Joliet’s 9:30 p.m. fireworks show on July 4 coordinated to a music broadcast on STAR 96.7. Blankets are welcome in the stadium, though lawn chairs and coolers are prohibited. Both the soccer field parking lot and lot near the Joliet Township Animal Control will be closed for safety.

Lake Forest

The 16th annual Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks will take place from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on July 4. Tickets can be purchased here for $30 for Lake Forest/Lake Bluff residents and $35 for non-residents. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge.

Lemont

Lemont is celebrating ahead of Independence Day with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on July 3. The event will feature DJs, food vendors, a beer booth and a Kid’s Zone.

Lisle

Starting at 9:30 p.m. on July 3, Community Park will host Libertyville’s Independence Day Fireworks. The show is scheduled to last approximately 25 minutes. Bringing blankets and lawn chairs is recommended.

Lombard

Madison Meadow Park will host the Village of Lombard’s fireworks on July 4. Starting at dusk, the family-friendly event will also be weather-dependent. Updates will be posted on the Lombard Facebook page.

Mundelein

The Mundelein Community Days fireworks show will start at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4 as the finale to the four-day festival event.

Naperville

Naperville will host a free fireworks show for the fourth year in a row to celebrate Independence Day. Starting at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, the Frontier Sports Complex will allow attendees to watch from a field within the park or from the comfort of their vehicles.

Taste of Oak Brook

Gates for Taste of Oakbrook open at 3 p.m. on July 3. Foodservice is set to kick off at 4 p.m. with fireworks after dusk at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Oak Lawn

The Village of Oak Lawn presents its free Independence Day fireworks show at Richards High School. Starting at dusk, fireworks will light up the sky on July 4.

Orland Park

Orland Park’s Centennial Park will host an evening of celebration this Independence Day. Fireworks will light up the sky after 9:30 p.m. on July 4. Attendees are encouraged to pack blankets, lawn chars, snacks and beverages, though concessions, beer and wine will also be available. Fireworks are set to wrap up by 10:15 p.m.

Oswego

Prairie Point Park will host Oswego’s Fourth of July Fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. The event is free to attend and family-friendly.

Palatine

Fireworks will be launched behind Village Hall around 9 p.m. or after dusk in Palatine on July 3. The event is free to attend and part of a four-day Independence Day celebration.

Pingree Grove

Featured as the last event of Pingree Grove’s two-day belated Independence Day celebration, free fireworks will start at the Cambridge Lakes Community Center after dusk on July 8.

Rockford

Downtown Rockford will get the chance to celebrate Independence Day with a “firework spectacle” at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. The show will be synched to a soundtrack broadcasted on 103.1 and is expected to wrap up around 10 p.m.

Romeoville

The Village of Romeoville will feature three fireworks shows at separate locations. Starting at 9:30 p.m. on July 3, fireworks will be shot off at Volunteer Park, Lukancic Middle School and Discovery Park. Parking at these facilities will be closed on July 3 beginning at 9 a.m.

Schaumburg

Not only do the Schaumburg Boomers play on July 3 and 4 at Wintrust Field, but both games will also feature post-game firework shows. The Boomers take on the Joliet Slammers at 6:30 p.m.

Tinley Park

Ribfest is Tinley Park’s Independence Day celebration running from July 1-4, and it wraps up with a firework show finale. The family-friendly event will launch its fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4 with free admission for Tinley Park residents with proof of residency on that day only. Tickets can be purchased for $10 online and $15 at the gate.

Vernon Hills

Fireworks in Vernon Hills will be held at 9:15 p.m. at Century Park on July 4. The event is free for all attendees and temporary lane closures should be expected to allow cars to exit adjacent parking lots safely.

Wheaton

Graf Park will host the Wheaton fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 3. The park will also feature lawn games, concessions, small carnival rides, DJ entertainment and giveaways beforehand starting at 5:30 p.m. No pets, alcoholic beverages, sparklers, smoke bombs or outside food vendors are permitted in the park.

Wilmette

Wilmette is celebrating Independence Day with a packed schedule of events, entertainment and food sales from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. with a closing firework finale. Starting at 9:30 p.m., the fireworks show will take place on July 3 in Gilson Park.

Winnetka

Fireworks in Winnetka can be seen around 9:20 p.m. on July 4 at Skokie Playfield as a part of the Fourthfest Independence Day celebration.

Warrenville

Warrensville’s annual Fourth of July Celebration will occur across two days with a July 3 parade and a fireworks finale at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4. The celebration will include food, children’s games, entertainment, baseball games, live music and more. The event is free to enter.

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