2021 Guide to the Fourth of July in Lake County
By: Kelli Smith 06/23/2021
“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 2021 guide to the Fourth of July in Lake County.
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 Display
- Grayslake Fireworks (6/26) INFO»
- Village of Barrington Fireworks (7/2) INFO»
- Round Lake Area Park District Fireworks (7/3) INFO»
- Fox Lake Fireworks (7/3) INFO»
- Six Flags Great America in Gurnee Fireworks (7/3) INFO»
- Lake Forest Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Village of Mundelein Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Lincolnshire Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- City of Waukegan Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Antioch Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Six Flags Great America in Gurnee Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
Fourth of July Festivals & Parades
‘The rocket’s red glare’ and ‘the bombs bursting in air’ appear early in Grayslake. The Taste of Grayslake festivities includes live entertainment from Vinyl Gold Mine and GOOROOS, carnival rides, beer, wine and local food vendors and so much more. Contact the Village of Grayslake to rent a tent for the whole family during the fest. The June 26 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 4 p.m. and live performances by In The Stix (5 p.m.) and Karma Committee (7:30 p.m.) and fireworks at dusk over Nippersink Lake.
This Mundelein festival includes a carnival, pet parade, car show, several activities for adults and kids, local eats, and more. The red, white and blue holiday launches with a Freedom Classic 5k, pony rides and petting zoos and ends with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. The Mundelein Parade, Salute to America's Heroes, will run down Hawley Street on Monday, July 5. The Mundelein Community Days music entertainment includes local artists and bands Serendipity, Brass from the Past, Bella Cain and more.
Celebrate our independence in Antioch with the village's annual parade down Main Street and the Blooze Brothers free entertainment in the Williams Park Pavilion. At 9:15 p.m. keep your eye on the skies as fireworks light up the sky over downtown Antioch.
Spend the day of freedom under the stars at Lake Forest's Friends Festival. The evening fest features local bands Hello Weekend and 16 Candles. Sit back, relax and enjoy the North Shore light show set to a patriotic playlist at 9:40 p.m.
Visit Paulus Park in Lake Zurich to celebrate Independence Day. The festivities include live music and entertainment, kid games and local food and drink vendors. The celebration concludes with a fireworks show launched by pyrotechnic experts from a barge on Lake Zurich.
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, games and a classic car show. The Monday schedule is highlighted by the 39th annual 5K, the annual parade, a throwback cruise night, more live music and more fun. The festivities end with a stunning fireworks extravaganza at 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate Independence Day at the Gurnee amusement park. Besides the exciting 17-roller coaster, the splashtastic slides at Hurricane Harbor and other fantastic thrills at Six Flags Great America, the two-day fest will feature a Coca-Cola® July 4th Zone with a live DJ, delicious eats, live performances and a fireworks display each night before the park closes.
Other Red, White & Blue Things To Do for the Fourth
- Concert in the Park with Zion Park District: Big Dog Mercer (7/1) INFO»
- Independence Day Outdoor Movie at Brother's Field in Long Grove (7/2) INFO»
- Movies in the Park: Hidden Figures with the Waukegan Park District (7/2) INFO»
- Lake County Symphony Orchestra America Salute Celebration at Buffalo Creek Brewing (7/3) INFO»
- Buffalo Creek Brewing Presents Aimee Gwen Group (7/3) INFO»
- Social Saturdays with Joey Halbur at Harbor Brewing Lakefront Biergarten (7/3) INFO»
- Ravinia Festival Presents: Chicago Festival, Celebrating and Thanking Our Community (7/3) INFO»
- Mr. Myers at Blarney Island (7/3) INFO»
- Sunday Funday with Lucas Jon Acoustic at Harbor Brewing Lakefront Biergarten (7/4) INFO»
Celebrate the summer all throughout July and August at the various Lake County Summer Festivals. To learn more about the fests, click here.To see what else is going on in the land of lakes, continue here.
