The first week of July is here bringing pony rides, live entertainment, carnival games and the echoes of fireworks to end the night. If you are still looking for a place to celebrate Independence Day check out what neighborhoods in the Chicago area have planned festivities.
Lake Forest Festival
When: July 4, 3-10 p.m.
Where: Deerpath Park, Lake Forest
What: Event features food, a beer garden, live music, activities for kids and fireworks display.
Fourth Fest
When: July 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where : Sunset Woods Park, Highland Park
What: Free fest featuring carnival games, inflatables, train and pony rides, petting zoo, food and live entertainment.
Glen Ellyn 4th of July Fireworks
When: July 4, Dusk
Where: Lake Ellyn Park, Glen Ellyn
What: Bring your blanket for a traditional fireworks display. Visit GlenEllyn4thofJuly.com for information on special "Boomer Booster Seats" on the Lake Ellyn boathouse dock.
Glen Ellyn 4th of July Parade
When: July 4, Noon
Where: Glen Ellyn 4th of July | Glen Ellyn Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Rd
Independence Day Celebration
Where: Cantigny Park | Wheaton
When: July 4, Noon-4 p.m.
What: Arts and crafts for the whole family, Revolutionary War reenactors, Inflatables for children to play on and 30 minute magic shows performed by John Measner.
Fourth of July Celebration I FREE
Where: Chicago History Museum | Chicago
When: July 4, 10 a.m.-noon
What: A day filled with patriotic musical performances, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and the World's Tallest Uncle Sam leading a children's parade.
Aurora Independence Day Parade
Where: Aurora Independence Day Parade | Begins at Benton and River streets, heads east on Benton, North on Broadway, West on Galena and South on River Street.
When: July 4, 9:15 a.m.
What: Performance by the Legacy girls, concerts, food and drinks.
Naperville Ribfest
When: July 3 - July 7, Noon-10 p.m.
Where: Knoch Park, Naperville, 700 S West St.
What: After eating your fill (and maybe a few other people's fill too) of ribs, settle in for Naperville's July 4th fireworks show, a 30-minute celebration kicking off at 9:30 p.m. Residents can also tune into 95.9 FM The River to hear a musical simulcast during the fireworks show.
Plainfield Patriotic Picnic and Fireworks
When: July 3, 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
What: Face painting, games and an inflatable obstacle course.
Where: Plainfield Central High School 24120 W Fort Beggs Dr, Plainfield
Navy Pier Fireworks
When: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Navy Pier
What: Fireworks will boom to Patriotic music with a clear viewing area. Cruises out to Lake Michigan are also available during the celebration.
Arlington Heights Fireworks
Where: Arlington Park Race Track, 2200 Euclid Ave.
What: Viewing area for fireworks
When: July 4, at dusk
Downers Grove Fireworks
Where: 75th St and Lemont Rd.
When: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
What: Independence Day parade followed by fireworks to end the night.
Evanston
Where: Clark St. Beach, 1811 Sheridan Rd.
When: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.
What: Live Music will be performed 7:30-9 p.m. leading up to the fireworks kickoff.
Local
Highland Park
Where: Highland Park, 1707 St. Johns Ave.
When: July 4 at 6 p.m.
What: Carnival rides, petting zoo, live entertainment, children's bike and pet parade and fireworks.
Itasca
When: July 4 at 9:45 p.m.
Where: Hamilton Lakes Office Campus, Illinois Rt 53 and Thorndale Ave.
What: the US Army will present at the event, food, drinks and alcoholic beverages will be available ending with a fireworks show.
Skokie Park District Fireworks
Where: Niles West High School, 5701 Oakton St, Skokie.
When: July 4, at dusk.
What: This fireworks show is given dimension with 3-D glasses to intensify the fireworks show! The first 10, 000 people will receive free glasses beginning at 5 p.m.
Independence Day Fireworks
Where: Oak Park, Ill., Oak Park-River Forest High School, East Ave. and Lake St.
When: July 4 at dusk.
Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade and Fireworks
Where: Duffy Memorial Park, 92nd St. and Millard Ave., Evergreen Park, Ill. The parade begins at 9500 S. Pulaski Rd.
When: July 3, parade begins at 6:30 p.m. fireworks start at dusk.
What: An evening Independence Day parade followed by a fireworks show.
Libertyfest
Where: Redmond Park, 735 E. Jefferson Street, Bensenville.
When: Parade begins at 10 a.m. activities run noon-5 p.m. music and entertainment 3-9:30 p.m. fireworks end the evening.
What: A full day of celebration starting with a parade in the morning and activities throughout the day wrapping up with hours of music and nighttime fireworks.
Channahon 4th of July Fireworks
Where: Community Park, Channahon, 23200 W. McClintock Rd.
When: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.
What: Fourth of July fireworks!
Joliet 4th of July Fireworks
Where: 3000 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.
When: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.
What: The area will be open beginning at 5 p.m. concessions will be available on site and live patriotic music will play before the fireworks show.
Oswego Fireworks for Fourth of July
Where: 4120 Plainfield Road, Oswego, Prairie Point Park.
When: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
What: Oswego fireworks show, in case of rain the event will be moved to July 5.
Bolingbrook July 4th Fireworks
Where: Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Dr., Bolingbrook.
When: July 4 at dusk.
What: Bolingbrook’s fireworks show!
Barrington Fireworks
Where: Downtown Barrington, North Train Commuter Lot at Spring St.
When: Parade at 10 a.m., noon-2 p.m. performance by Barrington Community Band, fireworks at dusk.
What: A full day of celebration with a parade, live music entertainment and fireworks.
Antioch
Where: Williams Park and Main Streets, Antioch.
When: July 4 at dusk.
What: Fireworks show.
Buffalo Grove Fireworks
Where: Village Hall Campus, 50 Raupp Blvd., Buffalo Grove.
When: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.
Gurnee Fireworks
Where: Six Flags Great America, I-94 and Grand Avenue, Gurnee.
When: July 4 at 9:50 p.m.
What: Fireworks at night and normal park fees apply.