The North Shore always celebrates in style, and the Fourth of July is no exception. Events aren’t exclusive to parades and fireworks, with full schedules of activities before and after the traditional festivities. Here’s a roundup of local parades, fireworks, outdoor concerts and more.
GLENCOE: The 4th of July events begin at the train station with the Glencoe Rotary Club Fun-Run, followed by pre-school games and Glencoe’s Got Talent at Kalk Park and the parade in Downtown Glencoe. The day rounds out with food vendors, live music and fireworks at Lakefront Park.
- 8 a.m.: Rotary Fun Run at Glencoe Train Station
- 10 a.m.: Preschool Games at Kalk Park
- Noon: Glencoe’s Got Talent at Kalk Park
- 2 p.m.: Glencoe Parade meets at Central School
- 6-9 p.m.: Food Truck Fest at Lakefront Park
- 6 p.m.: Park-N-Ride Trolley Shuttle to Lakefront Park from Metra Station and Village Parking Lot
- 6:30-9:30 p.m.: Live Music by Spoken Four at Lakefront Park
- 9 p.m.: Fireworks at Lakefront Park
DEERFIELD: Deerfield Family Days will take place July 3-4.
Tuesday, July 3 – Firework Show at Brickyards Park
- 5 p.m. – Gates open
- 6 p.m. – Live entertainment begins
- 7 p.m. – Raising of the flag/National Anthem
- Dusk – Firework Show Begins
Wednesday, July 4
- 8 – 10:30 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast
- 8 – 3:30 p.m. – Family Days Bazaar (Arts and Craft Sale)
- 8 a.m. – Rotary Race (Registration begins 7 a.m.)
- 9 a.m. – Bike Parade
- 8:45 – 10 a.m. – Dog Show (BYOD – Bring Your Own Dog)
- 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Rides, Games, Petting Zoo & Pony Rides
- 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Flower Show
- Noon – Parade
EVANSTON: Evanston’s 2018 Fourth of July celebration theme is “Inspired by Our Diversity”. Events are scheduled throughout the day up until the lakefront fireworks “extravaganza” at 9:30 p.m.
- 9 – 11 a.m. Playground Sports for all ages at Kamen West Park, Baker Park, ETHS Track, Raymond Park, Lincolnwood School, Willard School and Robert Crown Center
- 9 – 11 a.m. Roller Skating and Refreshments at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center
- 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tennis Finals at Ackerman Park
- 12:45 p.m. 4th of July Kids Fun Run at Ackerman Park
- 2 p.m. Independence Day Parade will march down Central Street from Central Park to Ryan Field at Ashland Avenue
- 7:30 – 9 p.m. Palatine Concert Band plays at Dawes Park Lagoon
- 9:30 p.m. Lakefront Fireworks
GLENVIEW: Join your friends and neighbors to celebrate our nation’s 241st birthday with Glenview’s Independence Day parade and fireworks.
- 11:15 a.m. — Children’s Bike Parade; Children ages 4 to 9 are invited to step off the parade by bringing their decorated bike to the Prairie Street cul-de-sac (just north of the Glenview Public Library), by 10:30 a.m. Participation is free and there is no registration necessary. Bike helmets are recommended.
- 11:20 a.m. — Independence Day Parade: The parade returns to its traditional route, which begins at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Glenview Road. The Grand Marshall will lead 75 community groups, entertainers, floats and marching bands south on Harlem Avenue, turning right (west) onto Central Road and ending at Johns Park.
- 7 p.m. — Twilight Concert and Fireworks at Gallery Park; The concert begins at 7 p.m. with patriotic music by the 100-piece North Shore Concert Band, followed by the fireworks display to a recorded musical score. The fireworks will be shot off from the middle of Lake Glenview. Public areas to view are located to the west, south and north of the lake.
HIGHLAND PARK: Highland Park 4th of July Parade and Celebration will take place July 4.
- 9:30 a.m. Children’s Bike and Pet Parade. Participants meet at 9:15 a.m. in the lower level of the parking structure at the northwest corner of St. Johns and Laurel Avenues. All are welcome, no registration is required.
- 10 a.m. The Independence Day parade kicks off at the intersection of Laurel and St. Johns Avenues and heads north on St. Johns Avenue, then turns west on Central Avenue and continues to Sunset Park.
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fourth Fest at Sunset Park, featuring: food, music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, games, and more.
- 4 p.m. The grand finale of the Bitter Jester Music Festival will take place at Wolters Field. Food vendors are on site during the concert.
- 9:30 p.m. Fireworks display, best viewed from Wolters Field.
LAKE BLUFF: The annual Lake Bluff Independence Day Parade is one of the largest celebrations on the North Shore, but it isn’t the only festivity. Lake Bluff sponsors a variety of activities before and after the parade.
Monday, July 2
6 p.m. – Dark: Lake Bluff 4th of July Mixed Doubles Tennis Open, Artesian Park Courts
Tuesday, July 3
6-11 p.m.: 43rd Annual Firemen’s Ball at Blair Park; tickets available at the Fire Station, Village Hall, or at the door
Wednesday, July 4
- 7-9:45 a.m.: 47th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Village Green, Lake Bluff
- 7 a.m.: Parade check-in opens on E. Sheridan Place
- 8 a.m.: Parade assembles on East Center Ave.
- 9 a.m.: Grace United Methodist “Party in the Parking Lot” begins on East Center Ave.
- 9:15 a.m.: Children’s Parade assembles at the corner of East Scranton and Walnut
- 9:40 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies
- 9:50 a.m.: Children’s Parade steps off from the corner of East Scranton and Walnut
- 10 a.m.: The parade steps off from Oak Ave. on East Center Ave.
After the Parade:
- 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kiwanis Hamburger & Hot Dog Cookout, Village Green, Lake Bluff
- Noon: Music at the Gazebo, Sponsored by the Kiwanis, Village Green, Lake Bluff
- 12:30 – 4 p.m. Kiwanis Kids Activities, Village Green, Lake Bluff
- 1:30 p.m.: Kiwanis Children’s Costume Contest (Most Patriotic or American Historical Figure), Village Green, Lake Bluff
- 6 – 8 p.m.: Lake Bluff Park District’s Band at the Beach, featuring Final Say, N. Sunrise Beach
LAKE FOREST: Lake Forest will host its annual “Festival and Fireworks” on Wednesday, July 4 at Deer Path Community Park beginning at 5 p.m. The main performer will be ’80s tribute band Hairball, with an opening act by Chicago classic rock cover band 97Nine. Bring a picnic or take advantage of food and drinks in the park!
- 5 p.m. Gates open
- 6 p.m. 97Nine performs
- 8 p.m. Hairball takes the stage
- 9:40 p.m. Fireworks Display
NORTHBROOK: Celebrate all day on July 4 with Northbrook Park District.
- 7:30 a.m. Liberty Loop 5K Run/Walk at Techny Prairie Park and Fields
- 8:30 a.m. Liberty Lap Fun Run (ages 4-10) at Techny Prairie Park and Fields
- 7:30 – 11 a.m. 4th of July Breakfast, hosted by Rotary Club at Village Green Park
- 9 a.m.-Noon Historical Society Museum open at Village Green Park
- 10 a.m. – Noon Family Mini-Golf Tournament & Cookout at Sportsman’s Country Club
- 10 a.m. Police vs. Fire Department Softball Game at Village Green Park
- 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Park District Pools Open at Meadowhill Aquatic Center and Northbrook Sports Center Pool
- 2:15 p.m. Bike Parade at Cherry/Western–Shermer/Meadow
- 2:30 p.m. Mile-Long Parade at Cherry/Western–Shermer/Meadow
- 7 p.m. DJ entertainment in the Ed Rudoloph Velodrome at Meadowhill Park. Food Trucks will be available.
Dusk Fireworks Display at Meadowhill Park
WILMETTE: Wilmette’s celebration takes place on July 3, at Gillson Park Lakefront beginning at 4 p.m.
- 4:30 – 9 p.m. Stage Entertainers: Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players, The Pack Drumline, The Jesse White Tumblers, Illinois Brass Band (at the Wallace Bowl), The FlatCats, The Dooley Brothers
- 4 – 8 p.m. Carnival Games, Moonwalk, Pony Rides, Mini Golf, Tot Train, Giant Slide
- 9:30 p.m. Fireworks
WINNETKA: Winnetka will host its annual Fourthfest on July 4.
- 10 a.m. — Annual 4th of July Parade begins at Elm Street & Glendale Avenue and heads east to the Village Green
- 11 a.m. — Events on the Green: A flag-raising ceremony, children’s parade and competition for the coveted family trophy will follow the parade at Village Green, 525 Maple St. in Winnetka
- 6 p.m. — Winnetka will be hosting its 131st celebration of Independence Day at Duke Childs Field, 1321 Willow Road in Winnetka. There will be music, food, and family activities, including face-painters, balloonists, moonwalks, a giant slide, and so much more
- 9:30 p.m. Fireworks Display at Duke Childs Field, 1321 Willow Road, Winnetka
Many North Shore communities use 4th of July celebrations as a way to blow their own horn. Here, marchers take a break from a previous Lake Bluff parade.