Evanston July 4th Fireworks, Parades And More: 2018 Guide

The Fourth of July celebrates the 242nd anniversary of the nation's declaration of independence against the British monarchy. Parades, fireworks displays and more are just around the corner on Chicago's North Shore. Check out a complete list of area fireworks below. Some of the events listed below include daytime celebrations, while others are evening affairs.

Evanston

The 2018 theme of Evanston's 4th of July celebration is "Inspired by our Diversity." Events are scheduled throughout the day, including a 12:45 p.m. kids run and a 2 p.m. parade expected to include up 140 entrants headed from Central Park to Ryan Field. Live music from the Palatine Concert Band is set for 7:30 p.m. at Dawes Park Lagoon before a musical lakefront fireworks "extravaganza" (tune in to 90.5 FM for accompaniment) gets underway at 9:30 p.m.
Learn more...

Playground Activities
Events will begin at 9 a.m. with roller skating and refreshments at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, located at 1655 Foster St., and family playground activities at seven Evanston locations: Lincolnwood School, 2600 Colfax St.; Willard School, 2700 Hurd Ave.; Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St.; Kamen East Park, South Boulevard and Barton Avenue; Baker Park, Forest Avenue and Keeney Street; ETHS Track Area, 1600 Dodge Ave.; and Raymond Park, Chicago Avenue and Lake Street. Playground activities include Frisbee, jump rope competitions, sack races, pie eating contests, soccer ball kick for distance competitions, and more. Visit evanston4th.org/activities for more information.

Fun Run
Children age 12 years and younger are invited to take part in the half-mile Evanston 4th of July Kids Fun Run. Participants can register online or on race day from noon to 12:30 p.m. The run begins at 12:45 p.m. at Ackerman Park, located at Central Street and McDaniel Avenue. The $10 registration fee includes a t-shirt and packet to the first 200 registered, plus finish line refreshments. All proceeds benefit the Evanston Fourth of July Association.

Tennis Tournament
The finals of the citywide tennis tournament managed by the Evanston Community Tennis Association will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ackerman Park.

Parade
The award-winning Evanston 4th of July Parade begins at 2 p.m. on Central Street at Central Park Avenue and travels east to Ashland Avenue. The 2018 parade theme is "Inspired By Our Diversity."
Lawn chairs may be placed on the parkway along Central Street beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 1, in accordance with City ordinance. Chairs and blankets are not permitted on sidewalks or in the right-of-way.

Concert & Fireworks
The Palatine Concert Band will perform from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park, located at Sheridan Road and Church Street. Lakefront fireworks set to music will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.; tune in to FM 90.5. Fireworks are visible from most lakefront parks.
Free parking will be available in downtown Evanston public parking garages.

via City of Evanston, Evanston Fourth of July Association

Skokie

The village kicks off 4th of July festivities with a noon parade down Oakton Street featuring marching bands, drill teams, tumblers, vintage cars and clowns. Skokie's "3D Fireworks Festival" follows at 5 p.m. at Niles West High School. The first 10,000 attendees get a free set of classes. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. with the fireworks spectacular.
Learn more...

Wilmette

Wilmette's Independence Day celebration at Gillson Park begins at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3 at Gillson Park at the lakefront. There will be on-stage musical performances, roving entertainers, carnival games, rides and more prior to a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Learn more...

Deerfield

The 55th annual Deerfield Family Days celebration takes place on the evening of Tuesday, July 3 at Brickyards Park, where entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and fireworks are set for around 9:15 p.m. Then on Wednesday, July 4 at Jewett Park between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., a variety of family events are planned throughout the day.
Learn more..

Glencoe

Glencoe's July 4 festivities include parade, talent show and live music. The Glencoe Rotary Fun-Run is set to begin the day at the train station at 8 a.m.. That will be followed by kids games and Glencoe's Got Talent at noon in Kalk Park before a 2 p.m. parade through downtown Glencoe. In the evening, there will be live music at Lakefront park ahead of the start of fireworks at 9 p.m.
Learn more...

Glenview

Glenview's Independence Day parade will return to its traditional route and begin at Harlem Avenue and Glenview Road at 11:20 a.m. Kids aged 4 to 9 are invited to bring a decorated bicycle to ride ahead of the main parade. A concert and fireworks display will take place at Gallery Park. The Glenview Concert Band will perform at 7 p.m. before fireworks are shot from the middle of Lake Glenview to prerecorded music.
Learn more...

Highland Park

The theme of Highland Park's 2018 4th of July festivities is "Your Vote Counts!" in honor of the 90th anniversary of the League of Women Voters. A 10 a.m. parade is followed by Fourth Fest at Sunset Park, with food, ridges, family fun and more. The finale of the Bitter Jester Music Festival starts at 4 p.m. at Wolters Field. The city's fireworks display is set for 9:30 p.m.
Learn more...

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff

Celebrations begin with a 10 a.m. parade through around central Lake Bluff (Parade Route) and concludes with Lake Forest's annual Festival and Fireworks evening event featuring live classic rock and a 9:45 p.m. fireworks show at Deerpath Community Park.
Learn more...

Morton Grove

Five days of Morton Grove Days events will wrap up with a fireworks show at after sundown on July 4 at the American Legion Memorial Civic Center at 6150 Dempster Street. An Independence Parade is set for 2:30 p.m. The multi-day community festival will also include carnival rides, entertainment and more than a dozen bands.
Learn more...

Niles

The village is holding a parade and celebration from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 4. The event begins at Niles Notre Dame College Prep and heads to Grennan Heights Park for post-parade festivities, family fun and musical entertainment.
Learn more...

Northbrook

Independence Day events in Northbrook begin at 7:30 a.m. with the Liberty Loop 5K run at Techny Prairie Park. At 10 a.m. there will be a mini-golf tournament and a cookout at Sportsman's County Club and a softball game between members of the Northbrook police and fire departments at Village Green Park. A mile-long parade is due to begin at Cherry Lane and Western Avenue at 2:30 p.m. and head to Shermer and Meadow roads. There will be marching bands, dancers, tumblers and more. Musical entertainment gets underway at the Meadowhill Park velodrome at 7 p.m. ahead of a fireworks show.
Learn more...

Winnetka

The village's annual Fourth of July parade begins at Elm Street & Glendale Avenue and heads east to the Village Green. Those interested in participating in the parade were asked to submit forms by Wednesday, June 20. A flag-raising ceremony, children's parade and competition for the coveted family trophy will follow the parade around 11 a.m. at the Village Green, 525 Maple St. in Winnetka. At 6 p.m. will be hosting its 131st celebration of Independence Day during its annual Fourthfest at Duke Childs Field, 1321 Willow Road in Winnetka. There will be music, food, family activities and the "most spectacular fireworks on the North Shore" at 9:30 p.m., according to the Winnetka Park District.
Learn more...

For more local events and information, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts or download the iPhone or Android app.