Chicago Southland's 4th of July Celebrations

Fourth of July is one my favorite holidays. I love traveling to visit family and friends while eating local festival food. It's also interesting to see how other towns celebrate America's Independence. You'll be glad you celebrated Fourth of July in Chicago Southland because the crowds are more manageable. We also have free parking. Below are 16 spots in Chicago Southland to experience the "Ooohhs" and "Aaahhs" of watching fireworks.

1. BEECHER 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Friday July 1st - Monday, July 4th
Firemen's Park
673 Penfield Street, Beecher
Beecher's 4th of July celebration is family friendly and party friendly! There's a kiddie and pet parade starting everything off on Friday, July 1st and then you can rock out and dance with the popular band Maggie Speaks on the main stage at 7:30PM. The concerts continue throughout the weekend with "ARRA", "Replay", "Wild Daisy" and "KingFish". On Sunday, July 3rd, there is a 4-H Farm Expo starting at 12PM. On the big day, Monday, July 4th, start the day off with the Lions Club 5K Run / Walk, then prepare for the parade at 4PM. Fireworks will occur at 9:30PM. Don't miss the chance to win a 2016 Dodge Challenger that is being raffled off. The drawing will be held after the fireworks on July 4th. More information is available here.
F 6pm-12AM; Sa - M 12PM-12AM

2. CHICAGO HEIGHTS SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS
Sunday, July 3rd
Bloom High School's North Soccer Field
101 West 10th Street, Chicago Heights
The City of Chicago Heights will put on its annual fireworks show, starting at dusk, on Bloom High School's North Field. Pre-show entertainment will begin at 7PM. It's great to bring a blanket to lay down on the soccer field and watch the fireworks in the sky.
6PM

3. CRESTWOOD'S "SPARKS AT THE PARK" MOVIE & FIREWORKS
Sunday, July 3rd
Standard Bank Stadium
14011 South Kenton Avenue, Crestwood
Watch the night sky light up on Sunday, July 3rd at Standard Bank Stadium as the Village of Crestwood and the Crestwood Rec Commission present “Sparks at the Park!” Fans are welcome to walk onto the field and enjoy a picnic in the park as we show a movie on the new videoboard! Disney's “Angels in the Outfield” will be the feature film. After the film, an Independence Day Fireworks show will be put on that is sure to amaze! This event is FREE to the public! Gates open at 7PM with the movie starting at 8PM.
7PM

4. EVERGREEN PARK 48th ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Friday, July 1st
Parade starts on 95th Street ending at Duffy Park
9101 South Ridgeway Avenue, Evergreen Park
The 48th Annual Independence Day Parade kicks off at 6:30PM on 95th Street, followed by fireworks at Duffy Park at Dusk. Click here for some tips from a local who always attends the Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade.
6:30PM

5. FRANKFORT 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Monday, July 4th
Main Park
200 South Locust Street, Frankfort
The kids will love celebrating America's Independence in Frankfort. They can jump in the giant inflatables, laugh and request balloon shapes from Rainbow the Clown and play in several carnival games. This is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Frankfort with face painting sponsored by the Frankfort Area Jaycess. Live music is from 7:30-9PM and the fireworks start at dusk.
5-9PM

6. GLENWOOD 4TH OF JULY "WE THE PEOPLE" FESTIVAL
Monday, July 4th
Glenwoodie Golf Club
19301 South State Street, Glenwood
Glenwood's 4th of July "We the People" Festival begins with a parade at 1:30PM leaving from Glenwood Oaks Restaurant and proceeds east on Main Street. Then from 2-6PM, local restaurants and Glenwood organizations will serve great food and drinks. There will be musical entertainment from DJ Galaxie, a water slide, game tents and Foam Bubbles sponsored by Glenwood Fire Department. There will also be a chess tent and shopping at over 30 participating artisan booths. Glenwoodie Golf Club will host pre-fireworks entertainment with a beer garden and dancing from 6-9PM. The fireworks will begin at 9:15PM

7. HARVEY 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND FIREWORKS
Saturday, July 2nd
154th and Page, Harvey
The parade will travel eastbound from 154th and Page to 154th and Broadway. After the parade refreshments will be served at Harvey City Hall. Fireworks will be at the football field at Thornton High School at 15001 Broadway in Harvey.
Parade begins at 10AM and fireworks at Dusk

8. HOMEWOOD INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE AND FAMILY FUN FEST
Monday, July 4th
Izaak Walton Preserve
1100 West Ridge Road, Homewood
The Independence Day parade is a tradition in Homewood. The parade begins at 17957 Dixie Highway and proceeds to Ridge Road and then to Izaak Walton Preserve. Enjoy lots of entertainment with clowns, stilt walkers, floats and more! At the Family Fun Fest there will be games, activities, music and more from the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District.
Parade begins at 11AM and Family Fun Fest is 11AM - 2PM

9. LANSING GRAND OLE FOURTH
Monday, July 4th
Lan-Oak Park
180th and Arcadia Street, Lansing
There will be food, a bounce house, games, DJ and the best fireworks in the area presented by Melrose Pyrotechnics!!
5-10PM

10. MOKENA 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Monday, July 4th
Downtown Mokena
Wolf Road and LaPorte Roads, South of 191st Street, Mokena
This year's parade theme is "America's Great Landmarks." The parade kicks off at 10AM from Wolf & LaPorte Roads and heads north on Wolf Road to Granite Drive. After the parade join in the fun at the Main Park Activities including the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry demonstrating civil war artillery pieces. There will be a FREE concert by The Encore Band. At dusk (approximately 9:30PM) fireworks will be set to music concluding with a grant pyrotechnic finale!
Parade begins at 8:30AM

11. NEW LENOX 4TH OF JULY CONCERT AND FIREWORKS
Monday, July 4th
New Lenox Village Hall
101 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox
Rock out before the fireworks to the band Wildfire and then treat yourself to the music from the Joliet American Legion Band. Fireworks to follow.
7PM

12. 29TH ANNUAL OAK FEST
Thursday, June 30th - Monday, July 4th
159th and Central, Oak Forest
There truly is something for EVERYONE at Oak Forest's Oak Fest. There will be concerts, bingo, carnival rides, a Crafters Showcase, bean bag tournament and of course Fireworks. New this year is the Craft Beer Tent. Saturday's Family Fun Day will have a watermelon eating contest in the evening. On Sunday, check out the Car & Bike show from 10AM-4PM and stay for some great entertainment.
Th 6-10PM; F 6PM-12AM; Sa 3PM-12AM; Su 11AM-12AM; M 3-10PM

13. OAK LAWN'S JULY 4TH STAR SPANGLED CELEBRATION
Monday, July 4th
Centennial Park
94th Avenue and Nashville, Oak Lawn
Enjoy a full day of Old-Fashioned holiday fun for the family and friends. There will be a DJ, treasure hunt, bingo, games and crafts, a giant inflatable slide and more. $5 wristband for daytime activities for ages 3 and up. Then head over to Richard's High School (106th and Central Avenue) for music and fireworks.
11AM

14. ORLAND PARK LIBERTY FAMILY FUN RUN AND INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION
Friday, July 1st - Monday, July 4th
Centennial Park
15600 West Avenue, Orland Park
The Liberty Family Fun Run and Walk is scheduled for Friday, July 1st and it includes a 2 mile run, 1 mile walk and a free 50 yard dash for kids ages 4-8 years. Registration begins at 5:30PM with a 7PM start. The festivities continue on Sunday, July 3rd with the free outdoor concert featuring The City Lights Orchestra at Centennial Park West from 5PM to 7PM. Also on Sunday, the village’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center will host its Flick-N-Float event at 8:30PM showing “Kung Fu Panda 3,” sponsored by Central Credit Union of Illinois. The holiday weekend comes full circle on Monday, July 4th with more festivities at the village’s Centennial Park, 15600 West Avenue. Live music will be provided by The Breakfast Club from 7:15PM until 9:15PM followed by the presentation of colors and the village’s annual fireworks show.
F 7PM; Su 5PM; M 7:15PM

15. PALOS HEIGHTS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AND PARADE
Sunday, July 3rd - Monday, July 4th
Memorial Park
Route 83 and 76th Avenue, Palos Heights
Join friends, family and fellow residents in Memorial Park (Rte. 83 & 76th Ave.) to enjoy many family festivities! The kids will love the petting zoo, pony rides, moonwalk, giant slide, climbing wall, obstacle course and more! Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and wristbands for unlimited rides are $15. Tickets and wristbands go on sale in the Gazebo starting at 4:30. The fireworks display begins at dusk at Lake Katherine and there is free entry for all. Optional tickets will be available for 7PM drink and snacks in the clubhouse afterwards. Then on July 4th the annual parade on Harlem Avenue starts from First Midwest Bank (126th Street) and heads north to 119th Street. Decorate your bicycles, wagons and strollers and be a part of the holiday fun!
Su 4:30PM; M 12PM

16. TINLEY PARK STARS AND STRIPES 5K RUN/WALK & CELEBRATION
Monday, July 4th
McCarthy Park
16801 South 80th Avenue
Start the Fourth off in the Stars and Stripes 5K / Walk. Awards will be given for first, second and third place runners in all age categories, male and female, based on chip timing. Then the batting cages and miniature golf open from 11AM-8:30PM. The opening ceremonies kick off at 4PM. There will be bingo, a craft table, inflatable moonwalk, giant slide and more fun the kids will love! The adults will love the food and beer tent. Then dance to the main stage entertainment from the band Final Say from 5:30PM-9:15PM. The Grand Finale Fireworks Extravaganza will be around 9:15-9:30PM.
8AM



What are you planning on doing this 4th of July weekend in Chicago Southland? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Click here for a list of more events in Chicago Southland.