2023 Lake County Fourth of July Guide
By: Jonathan Jones 06/15/2023
“Hurrah for the flag of the free. May it wave as our standard forever,” (cue the wicked piccolo solo).
You’ll be humming everyone’s favorite Sousa “smash single,” (Stars & Stripes Forever) as you scour through our 2023 Lake County Fourth of July guide.
We all live for that moment when we look to the sky and anxiously await our favorite brand of boom and color spatter from a Lake County fireworks show. Then viewers their starry-eyed “ooh’s and ahh’s,” (some of us get 3D glasses to see if they work, but they never do) as we hope our favorite kind of firework will be the next one to light up the smiling faces around us. (Mine are those white ones that look like fairy dust and make that uber-loud bang! I also like the weeping willow style of cracker that blossoms in assorted colors in the sky).
From neighborhood block parties and backyard cookouts to community festivals to parades, to live music and fireworks, honor Independence Day by donning your red, white and blue garb in Lake County.
Fourth of July Fireworks Displays, Programs and Parades
- Grayslake Fireworks (June 24) INFO»
- Zion Fireworks (June 29) INFO»
- Fox Lake Fireworks (July 1) INFO»
- Round Lake Beach Fireworks (July 1) INFO»
- Waukegan Independence Day Parade (July 2) INFO»
- Six Flags Great America Fireworks (July 1-4) INFO»
- Mundelein Parade and Fireworks (July 2) INFO»
- Deerfield Fireworks (July 3) INFO»
- Lincolnshire Fireworks (July 3-4) INFO»
- Waukegan Fireworks (July 4) INFO»
- Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks (July 4) INFO»
- Fourth of July Celebration - Lake Zurich's Annual Independence/Family Day INFO»
Fourth of July Festivals and Events
‘The rocket’s red glare’ and ‘the bombs bursting in air’ appears early in Grayslake. The Taste of Grayslake festivities includes live entertainment, a moonwalk, carnival rides, face painting, an obstacle course, wall climbing and so much more. The June 24 fireworks show begins at dusk.
The "Heart of the Chain O' Lakes" will party American style with their red, white and blues at Celebrate Fox Lake located in at Lakefront Park. The Independence Day party will feature a parade at 11 a.m., a watermelon eating contest, live performances by Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Michael Charles and His Band and fireworks at dusk. The Fox Lake event serves fare and drinks for purchase.
Experience fireworks, live music from Fast Times and Six Speed Tranny, children's entertainment, eats and drinks and more. Check back for the full entertainment schedule at RLBCivicCenter.com.
Celebrate Independence Day at the Gurnee amusement park. Besides the exciting 17-roller coasters, the splashtastic slides at Hurricane Harbor Chicago and other fantastic thrills at Six Flags Great America, the four-day fest will feature a Coca-Cola® July 4th Zone with a live DJ, delicious eats, dance contests, live performances and a fireworks display each night before the park closes.
The Village Plaza Circle fest includes musical performances, food, drinks, arts and crafts, a car show, a carnival, a "Through the Decades" parade, activities for kids and adults and much more. There will also be a parade. The Independence Day Fireworks Show is held on July 4 at 9:30 p.m, while the parade steps off at 2 p.m on July 2. The Mundelein Community Days musical entertainment lineup includes
Yankee Doodle went to Lincolnshire riding on a pony. His adventure to the Lake County village ended when he arrived at the Red, White and Boom Fest (sans the cap, feather and macaroni). This annual celebration’s Sunday festivities include live entertainment, food & beer tent, a carnival, games and a classic car show. The Monday schedule is highlighted by a pancake feast, 5K, the annual parade, the cardboard regatta, more live music and more fun. The festivities end with a stunning fireworks extravaganza. The Lincolnshire fest is highlighted by live entertainment TBA.
Deerfield hosts its annual Family Days at Jewett and Shepard Parks. The two-day celebration includes fireworks, a parade, arts and crafts tents, a 10K Race/5K Walk, rides, the bike parade and a slew of other family fun-tivities. This Fourth of July, visit Deerfield to mingle, share, reacquaint and relish in the festivities.
The City of Highland Park and the Park District of Highland Park provide myriad events to focus on the imnportance of coming together as a community to chart a new path forward, reclaiming beloved traditions and making new memories with the theme "We Are Highland Park." The Independence Day event features The Remembrance Ceremony from Mayor Nancy Rotering, the city's Poet Laureate, a performance by the Highland Park Strings, interfaith clergy and a moment of silence at 10:14 a.m. when the tragic events occurred last year. The vent also features a community walk (click the button below to view the route), an Independence Day Community Picnic, live entertainment from Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band Concert and Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, family activities and more.
Other Lake County Fourth of July Happenings
- Barrington Fireworks INFO»
- 4th July Cup - Barrington Hills Polo Club
- Lake Forest Fireworks
- 4th of July Picnic in Lake Villa
- March With us in the Lake BLuff 4th of July Parade
- Wauconda Big Bang (July 3) INFO»
For more to do Fourth of July weekend, continue here. To learn about summer festival season in the land of lakes, click here.
