Fireworks in La Grange
Gather in Waiola Park (500 S. Waiola Ave.) to watch fireworks launched from LaGrange Country Club at 9:30 p.m. July 3rd
Location: La Grange
Brookfield July 4th Celebration
The Brookfield Fourth of July Parade begins at 10 a.m. July 4 from the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Garfield Avenue. Then Kiwanis Park (8820 Brookfield Ave.) hosts Party in the Park until 5 p.m NEW THIS YEAR: PARADE QUIET ZONE
New in 2026, the first block of the parade route, from Garfield Avenue to Jackson Avenue will be a quiet zone, For the first time, we’ll also be hosting an 8-team bags tournament! You can sign up your 2-person team onsite at the Party in the Park. The tournament will start at 1 p.m.
Location: Brookfield
Elmwood Park July 4th Celebration
The village’s Fourth of July parade will start at 9 a.m. July 4 at 78th and Fullerton Avenues, ending in the Circle. Gates open for the holiday celebration at Elmwood Park High School (8201 W. Fullerton Ave.) at 6 p.m., music at 7:15 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m
Location: Elmwood Park
North Riverside July 4th Celebration
Location: North Riverside
Oak Park 4th of July Parade
The many dimensions of diversity in Oak Park are on display when the annual Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on July 4 from Longfellow Park at Ridgeland Avenue and Adams Street. The parade marches north on Ridgeland to Augusta Street, turning east to disperse near Whittier Elementary School at Harvey Avenue.
Location: Oak Park
Riverside Independence Day Parade
Claim your spot along the route for our annual Independence Day Parade! The parade will kick off at Big Ball Park and travel down Longcommon Road before concluding at Guthrie Park.
Please note that Big Ball Park will serve as a designated quiet zone during the parade. If you're planning to watch from there, we ask that you help us maintain a calm and low-noise environment for all attendees.
Grab your chairs, gather your family and friends, and get ready to celebrate with us along the parade route!
Location: Riverside
Celebrate the 4th of July in Westchester
Westchester's annual 4th of July Parade is a beloved community tradition. Entries include floats, marching bands, civic organizations, community groups, and local businesses. Following the parade route, festivities will wrap up at the Westchester Park District Community Park on Bond Street, where attendees can enjoy light refreshments and a free swim for residents. Parade starts IHM High School (Mayfair & Dorchester) Post-Parade Festivities: Community Park (10201 Bond St.) featuring refreshments and a free residents' swim at the conclusion of the parade.
Location: Westchester
Bike tour of Austin and Oak Park with Brick of Chicago
Go beyond the basics in this first of its kind bike tour of Oak Park and Austin. Long lauded for its architecture, the historic suburb of Oak Park has so much more to offer and learn from than just the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Similarly, the Austin neighborhood on Chicago's west side, is an area full of grand homes, important designs, and rich history that doesn't get the same appreciation as its suburban neighbor. This tour will cover about 7.5 miles in 100 minutes.
Location: Oak Park
Wonder Bubbles
During Wonder Bubbles, children will be able to enjoy lots of activities throughout the museum, both inside and outside, all about the wonder of bubbles!
Our beloved exploration of bubbles is returning this July both inside and outside the museum for 10 days! The foam pit and Steve’s Spectacular Bubble Show will be offered on Sunday, July 19 during our Foam Fun Fest.
Location: Oak Park
Dinos After Dark
Dinos After Dark is a one-of-a-kind, after-hours Zoo and dinosaur experience that's fun for the whole family!
Not only will you get to explore the entire Zoo at night, this unforgettable evening event is filled with prehistoric encounters, treats, and live entertainment.
What's Included?
Every Dinos After Dark ticket gives you access to a full evening of after-hours adventure.
Enjoy unlimited carousel and Ferris wheel rides
Dance to live music by The Student Body
Play games and join the scavenger hunt
Join Dino Don for a tour of the larger-than-life dinos around the Zoo
Experience Zoo Chats with some of your favorite animals
It’s your chance to see Brookfield Zoo Chicago like never before: roaring with nighttime fun.
Location: Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Candycopia Guinness World Record: Largest Sour Candy Tasting
- What: Candycopia attempts the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for “Largest Sour Candy Tasting”
- When: Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 1:30–2:30 p.m. CST
- Where: Ridgeland Commons (East Entrance) 415 Lake St. Oak Park, IL 60301
- Who: Open to the public
- Why: Celebrate National Sour Candy Day and be a part of GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ history
- Registration: Sign Up Here
Location: Oak Park
Downtown Oak Park Sidewalk Sale
Oak Park's sidewalk sales are a celebration of local charm, offering a unique shopping experience that draws visitors from near and far. Picture yourself strolling through Oak Park's historic streets, discovering incredible deals on everything from apparel and accessories to home goods and art.
Location: Oak Park
Friday Shopping in Oak Park Arts District
Fridays from 4pm-7pm
in the Oak Park Arts District
Grab a card at a participating shop
Collect 6 stamps by visiting 6 shops in the Arts District and Receive 10 dollars off
•Happy Apple Pie Shop
•Mora Asian Kitchen
•Trattoria 225
•Taco Mucho
•Publican
Just grab a punch card at one or our participating shops between 4pm and 7pm on Friday and then collect 6 stamps total. Redeem the completed card at a participating restaurant for a prize. No purchase necessary.
Location: Oak Park
There Goes the Neighborhood Tour
This exterior tour visits 13 houses in these two suburbs which were previously owned by major hoodlums, including Tony Accardo, Paul Ricca, Sam Giancana, “Tough Tony” Capezio, and "Machine Gun Jack" McGurn. I will discuss the criminal careers of the former owners, the interesting features of each home (I've now been in 10 of them), the family's time there, and answer all questions from the audience. The tour lasts about two and a half hours and is a deep immersion into the history of organized crime in Chicago from Prohibition to about the 1990s. It is by coach bus with no walking required.
Location: Oak Park, River Forest
Roaring Nights - Blues Traveler
Looking for the best Chicagoland summer events? Get your tickets, bring your friends and family, and join us for a unique concert series that also supports animal care and conservation!
Known for creative onstage segues and as pioneers of the H.O.R.D.E. touring music festival, the band scored major hits with “But Anyway,” “Run-Around,” and “Hook,” the latter two from their six-million-selling 1994 album Four.
See them live on Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
Ticket Prices: $50 Members / $60 General Audience
Location: Brookfield Zoo Chicago