Lake Forest July 4th Fireworks, Parades And More: 2018 Guide

The Fourth of July celebrates the nation's 242nd birthday in 2018. 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.

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...

More information from the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation:

The music starts at 6:00pm, when local favorite “97Nine” takes the stage. The main headliner, “Hairball” begins at 8:00pm. At approx. 9:40pm the greatest fireworks display on the North Shore begins filling the skies. A variety of food, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water will be available for sale (cash only), or you may bring your own. Parking is available for $25 (cash only). Parking is also available at the downtown Lake Forest Union Pacific North Line train station which is a five minute walk to the festival.

“The Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks is a wonderful July 4th family event, and we invite everyone on the North Shore to come out and enjoy great music, food, games and activities for the entire family” said event director Rick Amos.

Tickets can be purchased at www.FriendsLFPR.org or at the Lake Forest Recreation Center through July 3. Tickets will be available at the gate. Tickets are $15.00 for Lake Forest/Lake Bluff residents, $20 for non-residents. VIP tickets are also available and include admission, food, beverages, and early setup at 3:00 pm. VIP tickets are $75 adult / $25 child (12 years & under - must be accompanied by adult VIP). The best value is the VIP Family Ticket Package for $250 which includes 2 Adult VIP tickets, 4 Child VIP tickets and premier parking. Premier parking ($50) and VIP tickets are limited and are only available for purchase in advance. For those who just want to watch the fireworks, the gates open at approximately 9:30pm. Please note that all food, drinks, and parking is cash only.

"We're excited to support the Parks and Recreation Department and their programs as they are an important role within our Community. The funds raised at this event go to support their hard work”, commented P.J. O’Neil, president of the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation. Sponsorship by Lake Forest Bank and Trust and Fields Auto Group helps to make this an affordable and family-friendly event.

Proceeds from the event help support the enhancement of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Department’s programs, services, facilities and need-based activity scholarships for families in the community. Through funds raised by tax-deductible donations, events including the Fred Jackson Annual Golf Classic, Festival & Fireworks, Oktoberfest, and Dinner with Santa, the Friends have provided substantial funding dedicated to beautify parks, make structural improvements, and expand recreational programming.

Schedule of Events

• 3 p.m. — VIP ticket holders allowed access to set up their lawn chairs/blankets and must leave the park once their equipment is set-up.
• 5 p.m. — Gates open. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. No tents or stakes, no pets, no smoking.
• 6 p.m. — 97Nine starts the evening
• 8 p.m. — Hairball takes the stage
• 9:40 p.m. — Fireworks Display

Elsewhere on the North Shore...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.
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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.
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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...

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.
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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...

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