Illinois 4th Of July Fireworks Guide 2021: Where To See Them

ILLINOIS — It's time for local Fourth of July celebrations — time to kick back, relax, have a barbecue, and head out to see some Independence Day fireworks. While some celebrations are canceled for the second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic, many events are back on the calendar for 2021.

This year, the 4th of July falls on a Sunday, and while most events take place on July 4, several communities are hosting fireworks, parades and more on July 2, July 3 and even July 5.

As of Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting mostly sunny skies and a slight chance of showers on July 4, with a high near 83 degrees.

Plus:

• Illinois 4th Of July Fireworks 2021: What's Legal, What's Not
• Show Us Your Patriotic Pet Pics On Independence Day
• Indiana Fireworks: Where To Get The Biggest Bang For Your Buck
• Illinois Summer Festival Guide 2021
• Illinois Fireworks Legalization Effort A Dud So Far

Here are the best spots to see amazing pyrotechnic performances during 4th of July week 2021 in Illinois.

» CITY OF CHICAGO

• What: Independence Day Salute Concert, Grant Park
• When: July 2-3, 6:30-8 p.m. Features patriotic music by the Grand Park Orchestra and Chorus, including "Armed Forces Salute," "Florence Price's Dances in the Canebrakes," the "1812 Overture" and "Stars and Stripes Forever." Also will be broadcast live online. No fireworks.
• Where: Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago

City of Chicago Fireworks

• What: Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced that "Fireworks will return for this year's Fourth of July holiday weekend." But the logistics are to still be determined. Check back for updates.
• When: July 3
• Where: Details here

» COOK COUNTY

• Arlington Heights
• What: Fireworks show
• When: July 3. Fireworks around 9 p.m.
• Where: Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 Euclid Ave.

Elgin

• What: Fourth of July Fireworks - no parade this year, but fireworks are happening
• When: July 4. Fireworks start at 9:15 to 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave.

Lemont

• What: Freedom Days Independence Day Extravaganza
• When: July 3: Party 8 to 10 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Centennial Park, 16028 127th St.

Oak Lawn

• What: July 4th Fireworks
• When: July 4. Fireworks are at dusk, around 9:15 p.m.
• Where: Richards High School, 10601 Central Ave. Richards High School's football field and stands will be closed to the public due to construction. Therefore, the fireworks will be an aerial only display so that patrons can view the show from alternate areas.

Orland Park

• What: Fourth of July Celebration/ Veterans Liberty Run
• When: July 2, 4: Race from 7 to 8 p.m. July 2, followed by a concert by John Mellencamp cover band Mellencougar.
• Fireworks: Musical fireworks celebration July 4 from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Centennial Park, 15600 West Ave.

Palos Heights

• What: Independence Day Celebration - concert and parade.
• When: July 3. Gates open at 5 p.m. for a 7 p.m. concert featuring a DJ and Soda, the Ultimate Human Jukebox; fireworks at dusk. A parade steps off July 4 at noon from BMO Harris Bank at 126th Street and Harlem Avenue.
• Where: Memorial Park, 7607 W. College Drive

Tinley Park

• What: 4th of July Celebration
• When: July 4. Stars & Stripes 5K is at 8 a.m., followed by activities, music from Libido Funk Circus (starting at 6 p.m.) and fireworks at 9:3o p.m.
• Where: McCarthy Park, 16801 S. 80th Ave.

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» WILL COUNTY

Bolingbrook

• What: 4th of July Fireworks
• When: July 4. DJ performance from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk.
• Where: Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive

Channahon

• What: Independence Day Celebration
• When: July 4. Concert featuring Five Guys Named Moe at 6 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
• Where: Community Park, 23304 W. McClintock Road

Frankfort

• What: Fourth of July Celebration
• When: July 4. Park opens at 9 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
• Where: Main Park on Nebraska Street

Lockport

• What: Fireworks show
• When: July 3, festivities from 8:30 to 10 p.m.; fireworks at dusk
• Where: Dellwood Park, Route 171 and Woods Drive

Joliet

• What: July 4 Celebration
• When: July 4, fireworks at dusk
• Where: Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Road

Mokena

• What: Mokena 4th of July Celebration
• When: July 4; parade at noon, fireworks at dusk.
• Where: Parade at Main Park, 10925 Laporte Road, fireworks on Ozinga Bros property, La Grange Road and 191st Street

New Lenox

• What: Independence Day Celebration
• When: July 4. Performance by rock cover band Mistaken Identity and Joliet American Legion Band at 6 p.m.; fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
• Where: New Lenox Commons, 101 Veterans Parkway in New Lenox

Romeoville

• What: Independence Day celebrations with three simultaneous fireworks shows
• When: July 3. All three shows start at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: 3 locations — Discovery Park, at 300 S. Highpoint Drive; Volunteer Park, at 1100 Murphy Drive; and Lukancic Middle School, at 725 Normantown Road.

» DuPAGE COUNTY

Bensenville

• What: Libertyfest 2021 with live entertainment, food, drinks and a fireworks show.
• When: July 4. Musical entertainment begins with DJ M.B. Entertainment at 6 p.m. followed by a live performance from Simply Elton at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Redmond Recreational Complex, 545 John St.

Burr Ridge

• What: Fireworks display
• When: July 3, 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Walker Park, 7425 Wolf Road

Downers Grove/Woodridge

• What: 4th of July Fireworks
• When: 9:30 p.m. July 4. No parade this year.
• Where: Corner of 75th Street and Lemont Road

Glen Ellyn

• What: Glen Ellyn's 4th of July Fireworks
• When: July 4. Parade at noon, stepping off from Ellyn Avenue heading west on Crescent Boulevard. Fireworks at dusk. The cardboard regatta and food truck festival are canceled this year.
• Where: Parade in downtown Glen Ellyn; fireworks at Lake Ellyn, 645 Lenox Road

Naperville

• What: Naperville Salute and Fourth of July Fireworks
• When:
  • July 2-3: Live music and festivities 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 2 and 3 at Rotary Hill (admission is free July 3);
  • July 4: Fireworks at dusk July 4 at Frontier Park (no admission fee for fireworks).
• Where: Frontier Park, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive

St. Charles

• What: Independence Day Festivities
• July 4: Entertainment starting at 6 p.m., featuring the band Soda. Food and beverages available for purchase from the River View Miniature Golf Course Refreshment Stand. Fireworks at dark
• Where: Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Avenue in St. Charles

Westmont

• What: 4th Of July/Westmonth's 100th Birthday Celebration
• When: July 4; fireworks at dusk
• Where: Ty Warner Park, 700 Blackhawk Drive

Wheaton

• What: Independence Day Celebration
• When: July 3. Festivities including a DJ, games and concessions at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.
• Where: Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Road
• On July 4: Parade at 11 a.m. in downtown Wheato

» FOX RIVER VALLEY

Aurora

• What: Aurora’s Fourth Of July Celebration
• When: July 2: Gates open at 7 p.m., DJ Suave Smooth from 7 to 9:45 p.m. Fireworks at dark
• Where: RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St. in Aurora

Batavia

• What: Batavia's 4th of July Fireworks Sky Concert
• When: July 4. Food vendors open at 5 p.m.; patriotic music at 8:15 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Engstrom Park, 326 Millview Drive

Oswego

• What: Independence Day Fireworks
• When: July 4. Fireworks at dusk (rain date July 5)
• Where: Prairie Point Park, 4120 Plainfield Road

Yorkville

• What: Independence Day Celebration
• When: July 3. Parade at 9 a.m. stepping off from Yorkville High School; activities start at 1 p.m.; fireworks at dusk (If the fireworks are cancelled on July 3 due to extreme weather, they will be rescheduled for Saturday, July 17 at River Fest in Riverfront Park, 131 E Hydraulic Ave.)
• Where: Fireworks at Town Square, 301 N. Bridge in Yorkville

» NORTH SHORE

Glenview

• What: Glenview State Bank and Busey Bank Twilight Fireworks
• When: July 4. "Reverse Parade" at noon at Community Park West, 1001 Zenith Drive; DJ Dance party at 5:30 p.m. at Gallery Park; fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at Gallery Park
• Where: Fireworks at Gallery Park, 2001 Patriot Blvd.

Lake Forest

• What: Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks
• When: 5 to 10 p.m. July 4; fireworks and patritoic music scheduled to begin around 9:40 p.m.
• Where: Deerpath Community Park, 400 Hastings Road in Lake Forest

Northbrook

• What: Northbrook 4th of July
• When: July 4. Events schedule: 7:30 a.m. 5K, 3-5 p.m. music at Village Green Park, 1810 Walters Ave.; fireworks at dusk
• Where: Fireworks at Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Ave.; and Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1750 Techny Road

Wilmette

• What: Festivities and fireworks show
• When: July 3. Festivities start at the in-person and virtual Yankee Doodle Dash at 8 a.m., live music and vendors at 4 p.m. and fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Gillson Park, 101 Lake Ave.

» LAKE COUNTY

Barrington

• What: Barrington Fireworks
• When: July 2. Fireworks at dusk
• Where: Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St.

Gurnee

• What: Coca-Cola July 4th Fest
• When: July 3–4; fireworks at 9:45 p.m. both nights
• Where: Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway

Lake Zurich

• What: 4th of July Celebration
• When: July 4. Music, bands, beach (daily fee required), food vendors; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
• Where: Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road

Libertyville

• What: Libertyville Village Band and Fireworks
• When. July 4. Band at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Butler Lake Park, 500 Lake St. in Libertyville

Mundelein

• What: Mundelein Community Days Fireworks Show
• When: July 3-5
• July 4: Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Kracklauer Park, 116 N. Lake St.

Vernon Hills

• What: Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade
• When: July 4. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Big Bear Lakein Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway

» McHenry County

Crystal Lake

• What: Parade and Fireworks
• When: July 4. Parade at 1 p.m. starting at Village Hall, Voices in Harmony Concert at 7 p.m. at Main Beach; fireworks at dusk
• Where: Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive

Huntley

• What: 4th of July Fest
• When: July 4. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Deicke Park, 11419 Route 47

The information compiled in this list was sourced from municipal and park district calendars and websites. FireworksInIllinois.com was also used for reference.