Independence Day

View 2010 Chicago area fireworks in a larger map

Our top area fireworks picks

Chicago Fourth of July Fireworks
Three lake barges mark the shoot-off points for Sun 4’s festivities. We’d recommend viewing the display from Promontory Point’s rocky bluff in Hyde Park (5491 S Lake Shore Dr) or Foster Avenue Beach (4400 N Lake Shore Dr).

Naperville Ribfest
This spot is front and center for the western ’burb’s fireworks display. Grab a plate of juicy ribs and settle into a comfy spot for the fireworks, which blast overhead starting at 9:30pm. While you’re chewing, you’ll probably overhear sounds from the north and south stages, including Sister Hazel (6–7:30pm), Blue Öyster Cult (6–7:30pm) and the Giving Tree Band (8–9pm). Knoch Park, 700 S West St, Naperville (ribfest.net). Sun 4, noon–10pm; $12, advance at Jewel stores $9, kids under 11 free, Sun 4 free for fireworks starting 7:30pm.

Evanston Fourth of July Celebration
A parade steps off at Central Park and Central Streets at 2pm, and, from 7:30–9pm, bands work up the crowd until the fireworks start at 9:15pm. Evanston lakefront, Sheridan Rd and Lake St, Evanston (847-475-4585). Sun 4 at 2pm.

Eyes to the Skies Festival
Lisle hot-air balloon fest has nightly fireworks—Fri 2–Sun 4 at 9:45pm—and the explosions on July 4 are specially synchronized to patriotic music.

Itasca’s Fantastic Fireworks
Independence Day goes off with a bang at Illinois’s second-largest fireworks display. City dwellers can hop on the Milwaukee District West Metra to Itasca. Live music starts at 8pm; fireworks commence around 9:50pm. Hamilton Lakes Park, 1392–1399 W Thorndale Ave, Itasca (jamfests.com). Sun 4, 5–10:30pm; free.

Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks
At this quaint suburban fireworks festival, KC & the Sunshine Band performs. Deerpath Park, Deerpath and Hastings Rds, Lake Forest (chicagoevents.com). 5–10pm; $10, advance $7.50, kids less than 48" tall free.

Fireworks cruise
Boat companies including Shoreline Sightseeing offer lake cruises to better marvel at the night sky. West end of Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave (shorelinesightseeing.com). Sun 4 departs at 8:15pm, $45.

West Side
While these pyrotechnics are not official (or even legal for that matter), the impromptu displays thrown by families in West Side neighborhoods like West Town, Humboldt Park and Logan Square last from sundown to the wee hours, filling the sky with a dense fog.

Plus: 30 other fireworks displays you can't miss

July 2
Aurora Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. 6pm—10pm. Free

July 3
Arlington Heights Arlington Park Racecourse 2200 W Euclid Ave, 847-385-7500, arlingtonpark.com. “Racing, Fireworks and Music.” Twilight horse racing starts at 4pm; 30-plus minute fireworks show starts at dusk. General admission tickets $10, in advance $8. Reserved seats $10–$20.

Bartlett Bobby K. Flaherty Municipal Center, Hwy 70 and Appling Rd. 9:30pm. Free.

Joliet Memorial Stadium, downtown Joliet. 9pm. Free.

McHenry Jaycees Annual Jaycee Day fireworks at Petersen Park, Mccullom Lake Rd. 815-482-5885, www.mchenryjaycees.org. Dusk. Free.

Oak Brook Oak Brook Polo Club, 700 Oak Brook Rd, 630-368-5000, oak-brook.org. 9pm. Free, parking $10.

Wilmette Gillson Park, Michigan Ave at Sheridan Rd, 847-256-6100, wilmettepark.org. 9:30pm. Free.

Wheaton DuPage County Fairgrounds. 9:15pm. Free.

July 4

Batavia Engstrom Park at the corner of Main and Millview Streets, 630-454-2000, www.cityofbatavia.net. 9:30pm. Free.

Bolingbrook Bolingbrook Golf Club. 9:15pm. Free.

Buffalo Grove Rotary Village Green, Lake Cook Rd and Raupp Blvd, 847-459-2500, vbg.org. The Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band performs at 7pm; fireworks start at 9:15pm. Free.

Downers Grove 75th St & Lemont Rd, 630-434-5500. 9:30pm. Free.

Elk Grove Village Lions Park, 200 Rev Morrison Blvd, 847-439-3900. Dusk. Free.

Forest Park Park District of Forest Park, 7501 Harrison St, 708-366-7500, pdofp.org. 9:15pm. Free.

Galena Green St. plaza, 815-776-9200, www.visitgalena.org. Community parade starts at 5:30pm. Dusk. Free.

Glen Ellyn Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Rd, 630-469-5000, gepark.org. Parade and festival, noon–10pm. Fireworks start at dusk. $5 suggested donation per family.

Hoffman Estates Village Hall grounds, 1900 Hassell Rd, 847-252-5446. 9:30pm. Free.

Libertyville Butler Lake Park, 810 Lake St, 847-918-7275, libertyville.com. 9:30pm. Free.

Mount Prospect Melas Park, 1326 W Central Rd, 847-870-6622. 9:30pm. Free.

Oak Park Oak Park-River Forest High School, 201 N Scoville Ave, 708-383-0002; oakparkparks.com. Dusk. Free.

Orland Park Centennial Park, 708-403-7275. 9pm. Free.

Palatine Community Park Palatine Rd and Hicks Rd, 847-604-0288, palatinejaycees.org. 9:30pm. Free.

Rockford Davis Park, www.rockfordfireandice.com/gpage1.html. Dusk. Free.

Roselle Lake Park High School West Campus, 500 W Bryn Mawr Ave, 630-980-2000. 9:30pm. Free.

Skokie Niles West High School, 7700 Gross Point Rd, 847-674-1500, skokieparkdistrict.org. Parade begins at noon, fireworks at dusk. Free.

Streamwood Dolphin Park, 880 S Park Blvd, 630-736-3800. 9:15pm. Free.

Tinley Park McCarthy Park, 16801 S 80th Ave, 708-342-4200, tinleyparkdistrict.org. 9:15pm. Free.

Vernon Hills Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Pkwy, 847-367-3700, vernonhills.org. 9:30pm. Free.

Woodstock Emricson Park, www.woodstockil.gov. Dusk. Free.

July 5
Crystal Lake 401 Country Club Rd, 815-455-8000, lakesidelegacy.org. Lakeside Festival. Noon–10pm. Fireworks start at dusk. $4, seniors $2, 12 and under free.

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