Where to see Fourth of July fireworks in Chicago

Navy Pier hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows throughout the summer, including an explosive celebration the night before Independence Day that's sure to be dazzling. Stake out a spot on the Pier to see the spectacle up close.

Navy Pier. July 4 at 10pm; free.

You can watch Aurora's Fourth of July fireworks from either RiverEdge Park or McCullough Park, where DJs will spin tunes from 6pm onward—get there when gates open to secure your spot. Food trucks will be selling bites at both parks.

RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park. July 3 at dusk; free.

Take the Metra out to Barrington for a week full of Fourth of July festivities, including fireworks on Saturday night, concerts and a parade on Saturday, which steps off at 10am on Main Street. 

Barrington High School. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Brought to you by the World's Largest Laundromat in Berwyn, this fireworks show takes place at Morton West High School's football stadium.

Morton West High School. July 3 at sunset; free.

Celebrate our nation's independence with a parade through the Uptown business district at noon, followed by fireworks at Memorial Park beginning at dusk,

Memorial Park. July 4 at dusk; free.

The Bridgeview Park District hosts a "3rd of July" celebration on Friday, complete with food trucks and a live DJ. 

Commissioners Park. July 3 at 9:15pm; free.

Burbank hosts Party in the Park the weekend before the Fourth of July, offering carnival rides, games, live music and food vendors from June 25-28. A huge fireworks show will take place Saturday night.

Narragansett Park. June 27 at 10pm; free.

Get your holiday fun in a little early with the Des Plaines community fireworks show on June 28 at Oakton College. The event will include a live DJ, games and light refreshments for purchase.

Oakton College. June 28 at 9:15pm; free.

Start the holiday with Elgin's Fourth of July parade (there's even one for pets), stepping off at Douglas and Slade. Head to Festival Park for music, food trucks, drinks, kids' activities, tabletop games, a pie-eating contest and, of course, fireworks at 9:20pm. The entertainment lineup includes Jump, America's Van Halen Experience and Journey from the Heart.

Festival Park. July 4 at 9:20pm; free.

Elk Grove launches its Mid-Summer Classics Concert Series with a performance by Jake Owen on the Fourth of July. Stick around afterwards for fireworks, courtesy of the local Lions Club.

Rotary Green. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Evanston's Fourth of July festivities kick off with a parade on Central Street, from Central Park Avenue to Ashland Avenue, at 2pm. The fun continues with a performance by the Palatine Concert Band at Dawes Park in the evening, followed by fireworks.

Evanston lakefront. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Fireworks will light up the sky above Lake Michigan during Glencoe's Friday night display at Lakefront Park. Kicking off at 5pm, the event will feature food trucks, games and live music by the Yacht Rockettes. Come back on Saturday afternoon for the town's Independence Day Parade, which steps off at 1pm at the intersection of South Street and Hawthorn Avenue.

Lakefront Park. July 3 at 9pm; free.

Kick off Fourth of July celebrations in Glen Ellyn with a parade at noon, which makes its way through downtown Glen Ellyn. The fireworks begin at dusk, so stake out a spot early (you can set out your blanket beginning at 6am, so long as you don't use rocks or stakes to hold it down) and settle in for a show.

Lake Ellyn Park. July 4 at dusk; free.

Glenview's Fourth of July parade pushes off from Harlem Avenue and Glenview Road at 11:20am (the bike parade starts at 11:15am from Jackman Park). Later, head to Gallery Park at 6pm for food vendors, live music and a DJ-led dance party, followed by a fireworks display. 

Gallery Park. July 4 at 9:20pm; free.

Enjoy five days of games, carnival rides, live entertainment and much more with Hoffman Estate's Northwest Fourth-Fest, which happens July 1-5. The fireworks show is scheduled for Friday at 9:30pm.

NOW Arena. July 3 at 9:30pm; free.

Watch local independent baseball team the Chicago Dogs face the Winnipeg Goldeyes in Rosemont on the Fourth of July. Fans can the largest fireworks show of the season after the game.

Impact Field. July 4 at 9:30pm; price varies.

The village of Itasca will put on a festive celebration at Hamilton Lakes on the Fourth of July. The show will be preceded by Chicagoland cover band the Maggie Speaks and festivities by local food trucks.  

Hamilton Lakes. July 4 at 9:45pm; free, $40 for on-site parking.

This Fourth of July celebration will feature live tunes from Fletcher Rockwell and the Freddy Jones Band, so prepare to dance your heart out before the fireworks start.

Deerpath Community Park. July 4 at dusk, gates open at 5pm. From $28

Celebrate Independence Day with food, drinks, kids' activities, live music performances and fireworks at the Lemont Park District Campus. The main event starts at 9:30pm.

Centennial Park. July 3 at 9:30pm; free.

You'll have plenty to do at Morton Grove Days, a multi-day festival held annually over the Fourth of July weekend. Enjoy carnival rides, a beer garden and a lineup of live entertainment. A parade will be held on July 4, followed by fireworks later that evening.

Harrer Park. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Catch two nights of fireworks beginning at 9pm as part of the Independence Day celebrations put on by the local Lions Club, with one display on July 1 and another July 4. Folks can also enjoy a packed roster of events in between the fireworks, from tribute band performances to carnival rides.

Melas Park. July 1 and 4 at 9pm; free.

Naperville celebrates Independence Day with a free fireworks show at Frontier Sports Complex, which you can watch from your vehicle or the field. Arrive early for a performance by the Naperville Municipal Band from 7:30pm at the Wagner Pavilion.

Frontier Sports Complex. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Start the day with a parade down 26th Street before heading to the Village Commons in the evening for family-friendly entertainment, food vendors and live music by Talk of the Town Big Band. Fireworks will conclude the festivities.

Commons Park. July 4 at dusk; free.

Commemorate Independence Day at the Taste of Oak Brook, where attendees can enjoy a host of delectable bites from local eateries, sip a cold beverage in a beer garden and listen to live tunes by Sixteen Candles and Whiskey Friends. At dusk, a drone and fireworks display will light up the sky.

Sports Core Fields. July 3 at 9:30; free.

Ooh and aah at fireworks going off above Richards High School on the Fourth of July. The show starts at dusk.

Richards High School. July 4 at dusk; free.

Celebrate Independence Day in Orland Park with a performance by The HITS: a Musical Tribute to the Spirit of America. The crowd will then be invited to join in the singing of the national anthem before fireworks begin at 9:30pm.

Centennial Park West. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

A packed schedule of activities and performances await you at Palatine's annual Hometown Fest. Check out the carnival or listen to live tunes from acts like Bucket Number Six, ARRA, Hello Weekend and more, who will play as late as midnight. Fireworks will light up the skies at dusk on July 3, while the parade takes place on July 4 at 10:30am.

Community Park. July 3 at dusk; free.

The celebrations kick off on July 3 with inflatables and games at Community Park from 10am-1pm. Later that night, folks will gather at Memorial Park for a fireworks show. The Fourth of July parade steps off at noon the next day.

Community Park. July 3 at 9:15pm; free.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic (sans alcohol and grills) for an evening of live music and family-friendly entertainment before the Park Ridge fireworks show begins at dusk.

Maine East High School. July 3 at dusk; free.

Head to Rosemont for the free Rockin' in the USA summer music festival, where you can watch acts like Garth Guy, Toby Keith Made in America and Super Diamond. Afterwards, a fireworks display will light up the sky every night of the fest. Check out the Rockin' in the Park website for a full schedule of shows that will feature fireworks this summer.

Parkway Bank Park. July 2-4 at dusk, concert 7pm–10pm; free.

After Skokie's downtown parade (which starts at noon on July 4) folks can attend a party at Niles West High School that's full of food, drinks and live music. But the main event happens at dusk, when the town presents its stunning fireworks show.

Niles West High School. July 4 at dusk; free.

Celebrate America250 at Tinley Park's annual Fourth of July Celebration at McCarthy Park. Bring the family and enjoy live music, food and drinks before the fireworks show at night.

McCarthy Park. July 4 at dusk; free.

The village of Westmont celebrates America's birthday with an evening of food trucks, kids' activities, live music and games. At 9:30pm, grab a seat for the dazzling drone and fireworks display. 

Ty Warner Park. July 4 at 9:30pm; free.

Wheaton's Fourth of July fireworks take place on July 3. Show up to Graf Park for games, music, concessions and giveaways before the main event. Keep the celebrations going the next morning at the city's parade in downtown Wheaton.

Graf Park. July 3 at 9pm; free.

Happening at the Chicago Executive Airport, Wheeling's Rock 'N' Run kicks off with a 5K race down the runway at 8am on June 27. The festivities continue later in the day with food trucks, balloon artists, magicians, face painters, live music by 7th Heaven, and a fireworks show.

Chicago Executive Airport. June 27 at 9:15pm; free.

Even if you're not participating in Wilmette's Yankee Doodle Dash 5K on July 3, you can head to Gillson Park for an evening of food, concerts, performances and a fireworks show to cap off the night.

Gillson Park. July 3 at dusk; free.

Get your adrenaline going on the morning of the Fourth with the Firecracker 5K, which races along the Green Bay Trail. A parade will follow at 10am on the corner of Elm Street and Glendale Avenue. After you've recovered, head to Duke Child's Field for fireworks starting at 9:20pm.

Duke Child's Field. July 4 at 9:20pm; free.