With long days and warm nights, summer weekends are made for exploring. Whether you’re staying local or venturing out, here are a few events worth adding to your calendar.
Dig In at McCook Ribfest
This annual Fourth of July weekend tradition brings pitmasters from across the country, serving up saucy ribs and smoky favorites alongside live music and family fun. Top off your day with a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the night sky. Come hungry!
Date: July 4-6
Time: Fri & Sat 2PM-10PM; Sun 1PM-10PM
Cost: $15+
Location: 4750-4751 S Vernon Ave, La Grange
More Info: ticketwiz.us
Celebrate Big at 4th of July Parade
Celebrate Independence Day with small-town charm at Oak Park’s beloved 4th of July Parade. Community groups, vintage cars, floats, and costumed marchers line the route from Longfellow Park to Whittier School, waving flags and sharing treats along the way. Whether you’re cheering from the curb or riding your bike in the lineup, it’s a classic display of hometown pride.
Date: July 4
Time: 10AM
Cost: Free
Location: Ridgeland Ave and Adams St
More Info: oak-park.us
Watch the Fireworks at the Independence Day Celebration
Westmont’s Independence Day Celebration has all the makings of a perfect summer night. Arrive early for kids’ games, a petting zoo, superhero sightings, and live tunes from local bands. After dusk, settle in for the main event: a huge fireworks show that fills the sky above the park. Bring your blanket, grab a cold one, and toast to freedom under the stars.
Date: July 4
Time: 4PM-10PM
Cost: Free
Location: Ty Warner Park, 800 Blackhawk Dr, Westmont
More Info: westmontparks.org
Catch the Action at NASCAR Chicago
Watch the city streets transform into a high-octane racetrack when NASCAR takes over downtown. This unique event sends drivers speeding past iconic landmarks like Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain, blending stock car thrills with Chicago’s skyline as the backdrop. Expect music, food, and thousands of fans lining the barricades for one of the summer’s most talked-about spectacles.
Date: July 5-6
Time: 9AM
Cost: $123+
Location: Grant Park
More Info: nascarchicago.com
Show Your Spirit at 4th on 53rd Parade
Celebrate Independence Day Hyde Park-style with a neighborhood tradition more than three decades strong. Kids decorate bikes, local bands battle it out, and the parade rolls right into a lively fest with face painting, lawn games, performances, and bouncy houses. Don’t miss community groups like the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute and a magician who’ll wow the littlest festival-goers.
Date: July 4
Time: 11AM-3PM
Cost: Free
Location: E 54th St and S Lake Park Ave
More Info: 4thon53rdparade.com
Dance All Night at The July Fourth Weekender
If your holiday weekend calls for thumping beats and late nights, the July Fourth Weekender has you covered. Dance your way through sets from Jungle, Drama, Todd Terje, and more, plus plenty of up-and-coming DJs spinning fresh mixes. It’s a stacked two-day lineup designed to keep the celebration going long after the fireworks fade.
Date: July 4-5
Time: 2PM-10PM
Cost: $68+
Location: Lakefront Green, 2401 N Lakeshore Dr
More Info: frontgatetickets.com
Go the Distance at Go Run Chicago
Put your patriotic spirit to good use with an early morning run through Humboldt Park. Go Run Chicago’s free community events bring neighbors together to hit the trail at their own pace, whether you’re racing for time or just in it for the post-run high-fives. New runners and families welcome, volunteering is encouraged too.
Date: July 5
Time: 9AM-11AM
Cost: Free
Location: Humboldt Patk, 1440 N Humboldt Blvd
More Info: chicagoparkdistrict.com
Have Fun at the Block Party, Power Racing, & 4th of July Cookout
DIY meets July Fourth at this mashup of maker fair and block party in Bridgeport. Cheer on homemade electric cars in the Power Racing Series, browse creative booths, then stick around for a backyard-style cookout with fireworks. Bring your own grillables and a lawn chair!
Date: July 4
Time: 11AM-7PM
Cost: Free
Location: 37th St and Racine Ave
More Info: allevents.in
