Fourth of July fireworks season is already starting across the Chicago area, with a published list of shows in Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana giving people an early map of where to go and when to arrive.
That matters now because the first display on the list is set for June 27 in Wheeling, and more communities are lining up events through July 4. For anyone searching fireworks near me, the dates are spread out enough that one neighborhood’s celebration can follow another a day later, or even the same night at nearby parks and schools.
The schedule begins with Wheeling at 9:15 p.m. June 27 at the Chicago Executive Airport, followed by Burbank at 9:45 p.m. June 28 at Narragansett Park. Des Plaines Independence Day Celebration is also set for June 28, with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. after gates open at 7 p.m. at Oakton College. From there, the calendar keeps filling in: Mount Prospect plans fireworks for July 1 and July 4 at 9:30 p.m. at Melas Park, while Burr Ridge will hold pre-fireworks festivities at 5:30 p.m. July 3 before fireworks at dusk at Walker Park.
Several other suburbs are clustered on July 3 and July 4. Glencoe is scheduled for 9 p.m. July 3 at Lakefront Park, Palos Heights for 9:15 p.m. at Memorial Park, and Lemont for 9:30 p.m. at Centennial Park. On July 4, Morton Grove, Barrington, Elgin, Elk Grove, Evanston, Glenview and Northbrook all have their own celebrations, most at about 9:30 p.m. or at dusk, with some adding a concert or parade before the fireworks. Elgin’s event is listed at Festival Park, 133 S. Grove Ave., and Elk Grove’s at Rotary Green, 164 Lions Drive.
The catch is that the list is not complete. Other fireworks shows may be happening around the Chicago area, which means the best option for readers may be the one not yet on this roundup. Still, the published schedule gives a usable head start for planning travel, parking and timing before the holiday weekend crowds arrive. The next displays begin June 27, and more local announcements could still add to the map as July 4 gets closer.
