Local Fourth of July Fireworks Guide

The Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday this year.

That means you will have the chance to catch festivities the weekend before, the weekend after and, of course, on July 4.

We've got a list below of fireworks displays in the Chicago suburbs and special celebrations for the Fourth of July. Did we miss one? Let the community know in the comments' section.

Fourth of July Fireworks

Arlington Heights: Head on over to Arlington Park on the Fourth of July for a day filled with music, food and, of course, horse racing. Post time is 4 p.m., and gates open at 1 p.m.

After the races, stick around for a major fireworks display. The first 10,000 in attendance will receive 3D Fireworks Glasses, and the first 1,000 kids will receive a complementary Firecracker Popsicle.

Barrington: The 28th annual Barrington Fourth of July Celebration on July 4 will include a Fourth of July parade beginning at 10 a.m. at Barrington High School, music presented by Barrington's community band from noon to 2 p.m., and of course a fireworks display.

Fireworks can be seen best from the lawn of , at Lake Cook and Hart roads.

Bartlett: Bartlett's Fireworks Extravaganza will start at 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Apple Orchard Park.

Bartlett will hold a Fourth of July Fest that will run from July 4 to July 8. Some of the most notable events include a plastic turtle race fundraiser and a free Carnival Day for children with physical and developmental disabilities and their families from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 6.

Check-in begins at 2 p.m. All special needs children must be accompanied by a family member 16 years or older.

Cary: If you want to catch fireworks a day early, head out to on July 3 for music, food and fireworks. The park will open at 6:30 p.m. and the band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow. Parking is $5 (grass), or $10 (pavement).

Chicago: Navy Pier is one of the ultimate stops for fireworks spectacles all summer long.

Every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:15 p.m., the fireworks are set off from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. On the Fourth of July, a fireworks display will be synchronized with music at a special time of 9 p.m.

Crystal Lake: Dig your feet into the sand at Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, and enjoy a fireworks concert on July 1. Concessions will be available.

The fireworks display will wrap up Crystal Lake's four-day Lakeside Festival that runs from June 28 through July 1. The festival includes carnival rides, a beer garden, baggo tournament, a kids’ ice-cream-eating contest and children’s bike parade. 

Elgin/Hoffman Estates: The Northwest Fourth-Fest, which claims to be the ’burbs' biggest Fourth of July celebration, is sponsored by Hoffman Estates, the city of Elgin, Hanover Park and Hanover Township at the Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. The celebration runs from July 4 to July 8.

With food, a carnival, entertainment and fireworks on July 4 at 9:30 p.m., you won't run out of things to do. Some of the most notable events include a bags tournament at 3 p.m. July 4, an ABBA tribute band at 9 p.m. July 6, and pony rides from 1 to 3 p.m. July 7.

Elk Grove: A fireworks display will be held at Lions Park on the Fourth of July and will start at 9:15 p.m. Concessions open at 6 p.m.

Fox River Grove: Did you miss the fireworks on Independence Day? Don't fret! Fox River Grove is setting off fireworks at dusk on July 7 in Picnic Grove Park.

Glen Ellyn: Glen Ellyn will hold its annual Fourth of July Celebrations, which will begin on June 30 — the weekend before the Fourth of July — with the Lake Ellyn Cardboard Regatta, in which participants either will sink or float in their vessels constructed of cardboard.

On July 4, grab a blanket and head out to to be dazzled by fireworks, which begin at dusk.

Glenview: Glenview will host its 40+ year Independence Day celebration on July 4. The daylong celebration begins with a bike parade at 11 a.m., and then a main parade at 11:30 a.m.

A Twilight Show will be held at , 800 Shermer Road. The North Shore Concert Band will start off the show with a patriotic concert and fireworks will be synchronized to patriotic music.

Huntley: The village of Huntley will set off fireworks across the Huntley Outlet Center at dusk on July 4. A rain date has been scheduled for July 7.

Lake Zurich: Fireworks will be set off at  on Rand Road on Independence Day.

Libertyville: The will light up the sky at about 9:30 p.m. at .

Palatine: Do you want to help set a world record? Then head out to to attend the Hometown Fest. On July 1, an attempt will be made to break the world record for "most handheld games played at one time." There is a $2 registration fee, but all proceeds go to Relay for Life. Other fest activities include a carnival, blood drive, and of course, fireworks at 9:30 p.m. July 3!

Rolling Meadows: For fireworks and a fun parade, Rolling Meadows will have you covered on July 4. The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. and will follow this route: Central Road to Jay Lane to Grouse Lane to Meadow Drive to Kirchoff Road. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. at Salk Park.

Vernon Hills: The Vernon Hills Park District will sponsor live entertainment from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Century Park. Then, the fireworks will begin at about 9:30 p.m. over Big Bear and Little Bear Lakes. The village will also hold its annual July 4th parade at 9 a.m. It'll start at Deerpath and Atrium Drive, just south of Highway 60, and travel south to Sullivan Drive and west to Aspen.