2013 North Shore Fireworks

Looking for your fireworks or parade fix on the 4^th of July?

Here's where to go—but before you head out the door, you might want to check out the best places to go for a picnic on the go, or to grab an ice cream cone afterward:

Barrington:

July 3 - 6
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk

Barrington’s Fourth of July Brat Tent Festivities is a 4-day event from Wednesday, July 3 - Saturday, July 6. It is held in the Metra North Commuter parking lot in Downtown Barrington and includes bands, kids activities, food, and drinks.

Barrington's 4^th of July Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and will stretch along Main St. from Barrington High School to the train station.

Deerfield:

July 3 - 4
Fireworks: July 3 at 9:15

Deerfield Family Days spans July 3 - 4, with entertainment on July 3 at Brickyards Park and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Head to Jewett Park July 4 for a pancake breakfast, art & crafts/gourmet food market, bike show, dog show, rotary 10k race, petting zoo, pony rides, a parade, a flower show and food concessions!

Evanston:

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.

Evanston's 4^th of July Parade begins at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 4. The parade starts at Central Park Avenue East on Central Street and goes to Ashland Avenue. (Lawn charis can be placed on Central Ave. beginning at 6 a.m. on July 1.) The twilight concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Lakefront Fireworks go off at 9:15 p.m.  The 2013 musical fireworks extravaganza will be launched from Clark Street Beach and can be viewed from any part of the lakefront area east of Downtown Evanston.  Watch the fireworks and tune into 90.5 FM to listen to the tunes!

Glenview:

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk

Kick off Glenview's Independence Day Celebration with a children's decorated bike parade on July 4 at 11:15 a.m. with the main parade starting at 11:20 a.m. This year’s parade starts at the intersection of Harlem and Glenview Rd., hading south on Harlem, then marches west on Central ending at Johns Park.

At 7:30 p.m. the 2013 Twilight Show will begin. Taking place on the beautiful grounds of the Glenview Park Golf Club, 800 Shermer Rd., the Twilight Show begins with a patriotic concert by the 100-piece North Shore Concert Band. The show is climaxed by fireworks synchronized to the patriotic music.

Great Lakes Naval Base:

Sadly, budget uncertainty means the naval base must cancel their annual two-day celebration.

Highland Park:

July 4
Fireworks: TBD

The Park District of Highland Park presents a 10:00 a.m. Fourth of July Parade in Downtown Highland Park.

Lake Bluff:

July 4

Lake Bluff 4th of July Celebration—Parade at 10:00 a.m. from Oak Ave. on East Center Ave. The Family Fair is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Artesian Park.

Lake Forest:

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks—On July 4, you can head to Deerpath Park for live bands, including Dennis DeYoung as the main headliner.  Gates open at 5 p.m. with a $10 admission (gates opening just before the fireworks for those who only want to see the fireworks).  The display begins at 9:30 p.m.

Libertyville:

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.

Enjoy a performance on July 4 the Village Band at 7:30 p.m. in the RHW Bandshell before the fireworks displayat 9:30 p.m. at Butler Lake Park (820 Lake Street).

Morton Grove:

July 3 - 6
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

Don't miss Morton Grove Days, a 4-day festival which features carnival rides, a beer garden, live entertainment, delicious food, and a parade and fireworks display! Morton Grove Park District fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at Harrar Park, 6250 Dempster Street.

Northbrook:

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at dusk

Be sure to stop by the Village Green Park beginning at 7 a.m. for pancakes, music and family games all morning on July 4 and check out the bike parade beginning at 2 p.m.

Northbrook's 4th of July parade features floats, music and fun for all ages starting at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. It begins at Cherry and Western and ends at the Village Green Park.

Fireworks start at 8:45 p.m. at Meadowhill Park.

Skokie:

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 (Raindate July 5)

The Skokie Independence Day parade begins at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 with the party moving to the Niles West High School at 5 p.m. for food, drinks and live bands. The spectacular 3-D Fireworks Fest begins at dusk, with the first 10,000 patrons receiving a free pair of 3-D glasses. For more event information call 847-674-1500.

Vernon Hills:

July 4
Fireworks: July 4

Vernon Hills Park District  sponsors live entertainment at Century Park beginning at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks wrapping up the show at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Wilmette:

July 3 - 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

Festivities begin July 3 with live music, food and games starting at 4 p.m. at Gilson Park. The twilight concert is scheduled to begin in the Wallace Bowl at 7:15 p.m. This event closes with a firework display at 9:30 p.m. over Lake Michigan.

On July 4, you can sign up to participate in the July 4 Fun Run and Walk, beginning at 8 a.m. in Gillson Park.

Winnetka:

July 4
Fireworks: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.

Kick off Winnetka's Fourth of July Celebrations with the parade at 10 a.m. at Elm and Glendale on July 4. Activites begin on the Village Green at 11 a.m. with a children's flag parade and family races. Wrap up the evening with Fourthfest at 6:30 p.m. at Duke Childs Field. The spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m.