Did you see streets painted with red, blue, and white? Well, it’s time for celebrations and the best things to do on Fourth of July in Chicago! The Windy City knows how to host an Independence Day celebration unlike any other, from fantastic firework displays๐ that light up the night sky to all-day festivities packed with food, music, and patriotic pride.
To ensure that this 4th of July is nothing short of amazing, it needs your cheering, screaming, and participation! So gather your sparklers, put on your most patriotic clothes, and explore the fun Chicago has in store for you this Independence Day!๐ฅณ
1) 4th on 53rd Parade and Festival
Chicago, a city that knows how to have fun, never fails to organize the most extravagant parades! One such exciting event is the 4th on the 53rd Parade and Festival 2024. This local tradition, the heart and soul of the Windy City’s streets every July, is an absolute blast and free to attend! ๐ธ
The parade features a riot of colors and music, marching bands, floats, community groups, and kids on decorated bikes. The 4th of July 2024 festival is a non-stop party with performances, games, and magicians๐งto entertain you, face paintings to make you look fabulous, and a petting zoo to add a touch of whimsy!
๐๏ธ July 4th, 2024
๐ 4th on 53rd Parade Staging Grounds
2) Independence Day Salute at Grant Park Music Festival
Summer skies, picnic baskets, and pleasant music blessing your ears?๐ถ Sign me up! Especially on the 4th of July, you can experience the Independence Day Salute at Grant Park Music Festival! Conductor Christopher Bell is joined by trumpet player David Gordon and soprano Katelyn Lee in the Grant Park Orchestra performance.
The Festival’s yearly homage to America is everyone’s favorite retro holiday event. Hum along to famous American songs by John Williams, tap your toes to the marches of John Philip Sousa, and belt out a rendition of the Armed Forces Salute.
๐๏ธ July 4th, 2024
๐ Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3) Waukegan Fireworks
All your life, you have been among the crowd appreciating the 4th of July Fireworks in Chicago, right? Now, itโs time to move away from the crowd and enjoy peacefully.๐ Head to Waukegan Lakefront, about 45 miles away from Chicago, where the one-hour Waukegan Fireworks show lights up the sky!
Take the best spots around Yacht Club 199 N. It starts at 9:30 and ends at 10:30, so donโt miss a tiny moment.
๐๏ธ July 4th, 2024
๐ Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4) 31st African/Caribbean Intl Festival of Life and 42nd Chicago Music Awards
For the third time in its illustrious history, Chicago’s biggest music event, the Chicago Music Awards and the 31st African/Caribbean International Festival of Life will combine to produce a four-day fiesta of madness.๐คฉ The greatest performers in every genre imaginable are honored at this musical kaleidoscope, which features Pop, Gospel, Reggae, Afrobeat, Blues, Jazz, Hip Hop, and EDM.
That’s not all, though! The festival honors Dr. Ephraim M. Martin, its visionary founder, as well as his incredible 50-year legacy in media, entertainment, and social justice advocacy this year. With a packed schedule of kid-friendly events, artistic creations, and educational offerings, the festival aims to unite people from all over the world via the universal language of culture and music.๐บ
๐๏ธ July 4th, 2024
๐ Washington Park – DuSable Museum Garden
5) Evanston’s 4th of July Parade & Celebrations
The 101st Annual Evanston’s 4th of July Parade & Celebrations 2024 will be a huge success after the parade celebrates its 100th year! Your day will begin at 9 AM with family-friendly activities and games๐, followed by a Kids’ Fun Run at noon and a parade that will make you feel patriotic!
Starting at 2 PM, the Parade will travel down East Central Street from Central Park Avenue to Ashland Avenue. Watch the 4th of July fireworks as well as a live music performance ๐ถ at Arrington Lakefront Lagoon in Dawes Park this evening!
๐๏ธ July 4th, 2024
๐ Downtown Evanston, Davis Street
6) Windy City Tango Festival
Glide through the floor and show your breathtaking views at the Windy City Tango Festival this Fourth of July! You can sign up for classes, milongas/practices, and performances,๐ which will be held at the Dance Center!
It is a four-day event of Argentine Tango that your Tango friends would utterly love to attend! It is an entertaining, exciting, riveting, and energizing time of the month๐ฏ, and it will give you more exposure to culture.
๐๏ธ July 4th, 2024
๐ Dance Center Chicago
7) July 4th, Independence Day Cruise!
Float in the Chicago River, feeling light as air on the 4th of July 2024. Independence Day Cruise is here to take you on sailing through the unrivaled views of the skyline and city.๐ข It is a soothing experience with two levels of music and drinking in a climate-controlled setting! With a variety of music playing, there ainโt any doubt of boredom!
Want a small tip to have a much cooler and patriotic experience? Bring your tiny American Flags to show your enthusiasm for the Fourth of July!
๐๏ธ July 4th, 2024
๐ Summer Of George
8) 45th Freedom Classic 5K
To keep up with the 4th of July theme, wear red, white, and blue for the 45th Freedom Classic 5K race. In 2024, this annual race will begin on Recreation Drive and take participants via Keith Mione Community Park and Loch Lomond!๐ Participants can feel the cool at sprinklers post-race and grab patriotic donuts๐ฉ and refreshments to have enough energy for upcoming 4th of July engagements throughout the day!
Of course, you will get rewards after running and showing enthusiasm for participating! The top 400 racers will get T-shirts, a $100 reward, and medals๐ for the first male and female finishers for each age group! Lace-up your shoes and show your patriotism by winning the race!
๐๏ธ July 4th, 2024
๐ Dunbar Recreation Center
