Chicago Area Fourth of July Celebrations

The City of Chicago has cancelled the big fireworks show this year - Booooo!!!! We've rounded up some other great events taking place in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, so you won't feel like you're missing a thing.

July 1-3
Lisle Eyes to the Skies Festival and Carnival
Community Park, Rte 53 and Ogden, Lisle
See beautiful balloons take flight at 6am and 6pm, and try a tethered ride for $25. Enjoy the children's activities that include moon jump, magic, picnic games, crafts, face painting, a lumberjack show, the Frog Lady, and much more. Enjoy the fireworks extravaganza at 9:45 pm on July 3. All ages. $5 Adults, free for 5 and under. FREE Sunday 11am - 4pm for Lisle residents with valid photo ID, and free Sunday for military members with valid photo ID (active and veteran)

July 1-4
Naperville Ribfest
724 South West Street, Naperville
The family area at Ribfest features entertainment and activities for the whole family! Activities include a carnival, inflatables, jousting, bull riding, big slide, euro bungee, petting zoo a circus aerial show and much more. On July 4, enjoy a fireworks display at 9:30pm. All ages. $12, free kids 11 and under. On Friday from noon - 4pm, enjoy $1 hot dogs, $ ice cream and $10 unlimited rides.

July 2
Racing, Music and Fireworks
Arlington Park Racecourse, 2200 W Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights
Take in a great day of horse racing and music by day, and the an amazing fireworks display by dusk. The day’s racing starts at a special post time of 4 pm and the racing action will run nearly seamlessly into a spectacular fireworks display that gets underway at nightfall. The first 20,000 in attendance will receive 3D Fireworks Glasses, and the first 1,000 kids will receive a complimentary Firecracker Popsicle. All ages. General admission tickets $10.

July 3-4
Wheaton's Independence Day Celebration
Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Rd., Wheaton
Beginning July 3rd at 6pm, Wheaton’s Graf Park will open for old-fashioned fun with picnicking and people watching. Kids can enjoy carnival rides including a giant slide, kiddie ferris wheel and inflatable obstacle course. Also take part in classic arcade games like the duck pond and boom blaster, as well as running races. DJ Gabe will be on deck from 6:00pm playing classic rock, pop, and a patriotic song or two to keep toes tapping. The fireworks start July 3 at 8:45pm. On July 4th, the parade starts at 10am. Free. All ages.

July 4
Fourth of July Celebration in Northbrook
Village Green, 1320 Shermer Ave, Northbrook
Begin the day with the traditional Pancakes in the Park from 7 am – 11 am at Village Green on the corner of Shermer and Meadow. The Dooley Brothers Band plays in the Gazebo from 9 am – 11 am, and the Police versus Firemen department softball game starts at 10 am. The Bike Parade kicks off at 2 pm from the corner of Western and Cherry followed by the mile-long Northbrook Parade starting at 2:30 pm from the corner of Western and Cherry, ending at Village Green Park. Fireworks begin at sundown from Techny Prairie Park and Field.

July 4
Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks
Deerpath Community Park, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest
Celebrate Independence Day with a community celebration featuring food, a beer garden, live music and activities for kids, all culminating in a gala fireworks display. The fun starts at 6pm, with local band Sixteen Candles, followed by a Pie Eating Contest at 7:30. At 8pm, kick back for a concert with Rick Springfield, and then enjoy the fireworks at 9:30. All ages. $10 admission, 5 and under free; standard parking pass $20.

July 4
Patriotic Celebration
Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Cantigny Park will be alive with patriotic sights, sounds and activities for the whole family on Independence Day. Kids will love the inflatables, and painting our 20 foot mural on the Cantigny Parade Field from noon to 3 pm. They can ring the Liberty Bell, sign the Declaration of Independence with a quill pen, and see reenactors fire cannons. At 3pm, enjoy the Illinois Brass Band. Events and parking will be free all day on July 4th. All ages. 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Free.

July 4
Fourth Fest
Sunset Woods Park, 1801 Sunset Road, Highland Park
Play carnival games. Jump around in an inflatable. Go around the Fest in a train or hop on a pony for a ride. Feed the animals in our petting zoo.Stop and listen to live entertainment while feeding your hunger from one of our vendors in the concession area.*Tickets for games and rides: 3 for $1. All ages. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.