Have a Blast this 4th of July

Celebrate the 4th of July Chicago Southland-style this year! There are plenty of fireworks displays, patriotic parades and much more happening this Independence Day! 

Fireworks and Other Celebrations

With so many celebrations taking place this year, it’ll be hard to pick just one. Check out what’s going on in towns all over the Chicago Southland this 4th of July!

The Village of Crestwood will be hosting their annual “Sparks in the Park” event on July 2. Head to Ozinga Field, located at 14011 Kenton Avenue, for a movie and fireworks display. Don’t forget to grab your blankets, lawn chairs and coolers as you sit on the field and watch Raya and the Last Dragon, beginning at 7:00 PM. Fireworks will follow! The concession stand will also be open. For more information, click here!

Catch a dazzling fireworks display in Lansing on July 3! The fireworks show will be held at Lan-Oak Park (180th Street and Arcadia Avenue). The park will be open to spectators beginning at 7:30 PM. For more information, click here.

Don’t miss the Palos Heights Independence Day Celebration! On July 3 at Memorial Park, Palos Heights will have a DJ, a live band, food vendors, a beer tent and, of course, fireworks! Make sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Gates open at 5:00 PM and fireworks begin at 9:15 PM. For more information, click here. 

The Bridgeview Park District will be celebrating on July 3. Featuring live music, a family-friendly wrestling performance, food trucks and fireworks, the fun begins at 5:30 PM at Commissioners Park (8100 South Beloit Avenue). The Luke Repass Band will take the stage at 5:30 PM and the POWW wrestlers will perform at 7:00 PM! Fireworks will begin at dusk (around 9:15 PM) and food trucks will be available all night. For more information, click here or call 708-594-1818.

Celebrate with Country Club Hills this July 4! Head to the Country Club Hills Theater (4116 West 183rd Street) for live music and fireworks. Gates open at 4:30 PM! Join emcee DJ James McGee as he hosts this event, featuring Jonathan Joseph at 5:00 PM, Hollywood Swinging at 5:30 PM and Shining Star at 7:00 PM. Fireworks begin at dusk! Light snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information, please call 708-798-8497. 

Orland Park will be celebrating the 4th of July with their Independence Day Fireworks. Come out to Centennial Park on July 4 to see the show! Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and plenty of snacks! Before the fireworks, catch a live performance by Mellencougar, as they play the best of John Cougar Mellencamp and more. The concert begins at 7:15 PM and the fireworks begin at 9:30 PM. For more information, please click here.

Enjoy the sounds of the Frankfort Brass Band on July 4. Visit Breidert Green (Kansas Street and Ash Street) for a special 4th of July concert. The concert will take place from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Plus, Frankfort will also be putting on a fireworks display at Main Park, located at 400 West Nebraska Street. The park will open at 8:00 PM and the fireworks will begin at 9:15 PM. Concessions will not be available, so make sure to bring snacks! Face coverings are encouraged for those who are not vaccinated. For more information, click here.

On July 4, Thornton will host a fireworks display in Hubbard Park, near the Thornton Quarry! The event begins at sundown and concessions will be available. For more information, please call 708-877-4454.

Glenwood will be hosting 4th of July festivities beginning at 2:00 PM at Bicentennial Flag Park (Main and Rebecca Streets). From 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM, families can enjoy the Family Fest at Glenwoodie Golf Club. Activities include a live musical performance by smooth jazz saxophonist Harold Dawson (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM), mobile video gaming (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM), a live DJ session by DJ Will Hardy (6:00 PM to 9:00 PM) and food vendors (available 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM). Food trucks, gourmet popcorn, shaved ice and more treats will be available. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 PM. For more information, please click here.

This year, Mokena will be hosting a fireworks display. Fireworks will begin at dusk on July 4 at Ozinga Brothers, located at LaGrange Road and 191st Street! For more information, click here.

In Tinley Park, catch a live performance by Libido Funk Circus at McCarthy Park on July 4. From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, listen to LFC play fan-favorite songs of all genres, including disco, rock, pop, country, hip-hop and more. After the live music performance, don’t miss fireworks beginning at 9:15 PM! Tinley Junction Miniature Golf and Batting Cages will be open on July 4 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM for golf and batting cages. Plus, there will be a concession stand available until 9:00 PM. Please click here for more information!

New Lenox will be hosting a 4th of July celebration featuring live music and fireworks. Beginning at 6:00 PM, catch a performance by Mistaken Identity, a rock cover band. This will be followed by a patriotic performance by the Joliet American Legion Band at 8:30 PM. The night will conclude with fireworks, starting at 9:15 PM! Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. All of this takes place at the New Lenox Village Commons, located at 101 Veterans Parkway. For more information, click here.

A live concert will take place in Park Forest on July 4, followed by fireworks. At 7:30 PM, head to the Village Green for a live performance by Carla Prather and Company, plus other special guests! A fireworks display at Central Park will follow the concert, beginning at 9:15 PM. For more information, click here!

South Holland will host their Independence Day Fireworks on July 5 at South Suburban College. This drive-in style fireworks show will begin at 9:00 PM (the lot opens for parking at 7:00 PM). Please arrive in a vehicle (no walk-ups will be permitted), but feel free to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the festivities outside of your car. No tents, grilling or personal fireworks, and don’t forget to bring some snacks! Click here for more information.

Parades

This year, catch a patriotic parade!

Midlothian will host their annual Independence Day parade on Saturday, June 26. The parade begins at 11:00 AM and steps off at 147th Street and Kilpatrick Avenue and will end at the Village Green, located at 147th Street and Springfield Avenue. For more information, please click here.

Join Lynwood on July 3 for their Independence Day Parade, beginning at 12:00 PM! The parade will kick off from Benny’s Place, located at 2549 Glenwood-Lansing Road. Attendees are encouraged to bring the whole family and join elected officials, youth organizations and local businesses to celebrate! Call 708-758-6101 for more information, or visit the village’s website here.

The Mokena Chamber of Commerce will be presenting their annual 4th of July Parade! This is one of the largest 4th of July parades in the Chicago Southland area. Taking place in downtown Mokena, the parade will travel down Wolf Road between LaPorte Road and 192nd Street. The parade steps off at 12:00 PM on July 4! Click here for more information.

The Palos Heights Independence Day Parade will begin at 12:00 PM and travel down Harlem Avenue! For more information, click here.

Glenwood will be hosting a parade in conjunction with their other 4th of July festivities. The parade will step off from the intersection of Strieff and Halsted Streets at 1:00 PM on July 4. It will travel down Streiff to Pleasant to 187th and will end at Main and Rebecca Streets. For more parade information, click here. The parade will be followed by a ceremony and festivities; check out the “Fireworks and Other Celebrations” segment of this blog post for more information! 

Don’t miss the evening parade in Park Forest on July 4! The parade begins at 6:00 PM. For more information, please click here or call 708-748-1112.

Food and Drink

Grab some grub to help you celebrate Independence Day.

The 4th of July is the perfect time for a cookout! Enjoy a take-and-bake package from Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company in New Lenox, which has everything you need for a perfect BBQ! For $60, the Half Patio Package includes four tri-blend burger patties, eight Proud American beer brats, ¼ pan of BBQ pulled pork and two sides. For $120, the Full Patio Package comes with eight tri-blend burger patties, 16 Proud American beer brats, ½ pan of BBQ pulled pork and four sides. Cooking instructions will be included with all packages! Orders must be placed by June 30. Call 815-717-6068 to order by phone or click here to order online!

Stop by Brothership Brewing in Mokena for a 4th of July party! There will be a fantastic view of Mokena’s fireworks display. Plus, plenty of draft beer will be on tap. Cultivate Community Table will be on-site serving delicious food like bison brats and Cajun shrimp roll salad. Seating is first come, first served. Don’t forget your lawn chair! Click here for more information.

Enjoy a special Independence Day-themed bottle of wine from Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. This year, two special etched bottles are available: the American Flag or the Land That I Love. Order yours today!

Other Fun Events

Looking for other events? Check out these fun Independence Day happenings!

On Friday, July 2, the Village of Matteson will host the Concerts at the Hall music festival. This concert will feature TL Williams, Delivery Point and KJon performing R&B and jazz hits like “On the Ocean” and “Gettin' Mo Money Than You.” Bring your blanket or lawn chair and head to the Greens at the Matteson Village Hall (4900 Village Commons) for this free concert at 5:00 PM! 

Head to Orland Park for the Veterans Liberty Run on July 2. Sprint, jog or walk the 1- or 2-mile course that winds through beautiful Centennial Park. All racers will receive a race shirt, a USA hand flag and a pass for one free admission to the Centennial Park Aquatic Center. Post-race refreshments will be available for participants. Plus, prizes will be awarded to the top finishers! A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to local veterans’ organizations. Registration is required! Please click here for more information or to register.

Bring the kiddos over to Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland for their program “Nature for Little Ones: Red, White, Blue (and Green!)” on July 3. This family-friendly event will take participants on a color-themed outdoor scavenger hunt. Registration is required and may be done by calling 708-868-0606, visiting the nature center in person (open seven days a week, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) or by emailing [email protected]!

On July 4, Accelerate Indoor Speedway & Events (home of indoor electric go karts capable of speeds up to 50 MPH) is doing something it only does three times a year: they are offering All You Can Race packages! This special offer will begin at 6:00 PM and will run until close at 10:00 PM. Reservations are highly recommended. For more details, please click here! 

Lace up your running shoes and get over to Tinley Park for the Stars and Stripes 5k Run/Walk on July 4! The race kicks off at McCarthy Park (16801 South 80th Avenue) at 8:00 AM. Pre-registration is $22 and includes a shirt ($16 without a shirt). Race day registration is $30. Prizes will be award to runners in each age category. Plus, an award will be presented to the best overall male and female resident and non-resident runner! Click here for more information and to register.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July! 

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