Do you love red, white and blue? Here you can celebrate the 4th of July
Looking for ways to show your American spirit this Fourth of July? Luckily, there are events in and around Oak Park where you can rock the red, white, and blue in style.
Events in Chicago’s western suburbs include fireworks, parades, festivals, and even an Independence Day 5K run that’s fun for visitors and locals alike.
Oak Park
In Oak Park, residents can celebrate Independence Day once again when the annual Fourth of July parade begins at 10 a.m. in Longfellow Park at Ridgeland Avenue and Adams Street.
Parade participants will march north on Ridgeland Street to Augusta Street, then turn east to finish near Whittier Elementary School. While some may be disappointed that there will be no fireworks, this festive celebration will provide residents and visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the beauty and history of the village on what will hopefully be a bright, sunny summer day.
The village’s fireworks display was canceled in 2022 following the mass shooting during the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. Oak Park’s fireworks display is traditionally funded by local businesses or private donations. In 2023, no such donor came forward in time for the village to coordinate an event. In 2024, no entity again came forward, according to village officials.
Riverside/North Riverside
In Riverside, locals looking to get some exercise before eating burgers, hot dogs or ice cream during the festivities can join the 44th annual Independence Day 5K at 7:15 a.m. Runners will receive goodie bags and Dri-Balance shirts. Participation costs $35 and runners register by gender and age.
On July 4, an Independence Day parade begins at 8:45 a.m. at Big Ball Park, followed by a community celebration at Guthrie Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In North Riverside, a free parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4 at the corner of Ninth Avenue and 26th Street and heads east to Veterans Park. A Little League game begins in the park.
There will be children’s entertainment and food at the Village Commons from 6-9 p.m. Hello Weekend will perform from 7-9 p.m., followed by a fireworks display from Riverside Golf Club.
Brookfield
Neighbors looking to celebrate in Brookfield can participate in the Fourth of July Parade and march to the “Party in the Park” at Kiwanis Park on July 4. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of Blanchan and Kemman Avenues with exciting floats, marching bands and community members parading down the street.
Following the parade, the “Party in the Park” will take place at 8820 Brookfield Ave. with live music from The Redmonds at 12:30 p.m. and Whiskeyfist at 3:30 p.m. Food and drinks from Beach Avenue BBQ will be available for purchase.
Berwyn
A fireworks display will be held at 8 p.m. on July 3 at the Morton West High School football stadium in Berwyn. The event is hosted by the World’s Largest Laundromat and admission is free. The fireworks display begins after dark, but visitors may want to arrive early to secure a seat.
Other events nearby
A fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. on July 3 at Navy Pier. Fireworks enthusiasts can find a spot on the lake and watch the annual show for free. Navy Pier also hosts fireworks displays twice a week throughout the summer.
Fireworks will be set off at Soldier Field following the Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union soccer game at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices for the game vary.
On Blue Island, a parade through the Uptown business district begins at noon. A free fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. in Waterfall Park.
In Bridgeview, the Park District is hosting a free celebration with food trucks and a live DJ for visitors on July 3 starting at 9:15 p.m.
Burbank hosts a “Party in the Park” the weekend before the Fourth of July with food, live music, games and rides. This year it runs from June 27-30. There will be a free fireworks show on June 29 at 9:45 p.m.
In Des Plaines, residents can enjoy a free fireworks display at Oakton College on June 30 at 9:15 p.m. The event will feature a DJ, games and refreshments.
Elgin’s Fourth of July Parade will be held at Festival Park on July 4 at 9:30 p.m. The free event includes music, food, activities and fireworks starting at 9:20 p.m.
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