The city of Wheaton, located 25 miles (40 km) west of Chicago, holds a vibrant Independence Day Celebration, featuring a spectacular fireworks display at Graf Park and a highly anticipated parade in Downtown Wheaton. Elk Grove Village invites you to The Beach Boys concert and Warrenville with Glen Ellyn organize active ways to celebrate Independence.
Wheaton 4th of July Celebration (July 3-4, 2024)
Festivities start with a community celebration in Graf Park. The event usually kicks off at 5:30 pm. Entertainment includes lawn games, carnival rides, DJ sets, and giveaways. A flag-raising ceremony is traditionally performed by a local scout troop. Food and beverages are also offered at the park. The culmination of the festivities comes at the onset of darkness. The fireworks display normally starts at dusk.
Independence Day Parade (July 4)
The 4th of July Parade in Downtown Wheaton starts off at 10 am. For most local residents, July 4th is a special day, commemorating the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and the parade reflects all the things Americans are proud of. Best float entries get awards: for the most patriotic, best political, musical entry, and the best use of theme.
The procession sets off from Main Street and Hawthorne Boulevard, turns south on Main Street, then ventures west to Union Avenue and reaches the finish line at Cross Street. Hundreds of spectators line up the streets of Downtown Wheaton and cheer the participants on.
Elk Grove Village 4th of July Mid-Summer Classics Concert (July 4, 2024)
If you venture 15 miles northeast of Wheaton, you'll stumble upon a cozy Elk Grove Village residential community. The citizens know how to celebrate the 4th of July here and, traditionally, put up a series of Mid-Summer Classics Concerts, one of which usually takes place on Independence Day.
This year, the stage at Rotary Green Park will be booming with the presence of The Beach Boys. A legendary band will perform their iconic "California Girls" and "Surfin' USA" at 8 pm. The musical act will be followed by the fireworks display starting at dusk.
Warrenville Firecracker 5K (July 4, 2024)
Situated in DuPage County, 7 miles from Wheaton, Warrenville begins its 4th of July festivities early with a sports event, Firecracker 5K, at the Warrenville Park District Recreation Center. The route of the race follows scenic landscapes of the Warrenville Grove Forest Preserve and the Illinois Prairie Path.
The event begins at 7:45 am with a National Anthem, while the 50 and 100-yard dashes start off at 7:50 am. The 5k race, the pinnacle of the whole function, begins at 8 am and is followed by the Sparkler 1 miler. To participate in the competition, you need to pay a fee of $5 for 50 and 100-yard dashes, $35 for 5K run and $20 for Sparkler 1 Miler.
Freedom Four 4-Mile Run & Walk in Glen Ellyn (July 4, 2024)
To contribute to a good cause, consider joining another 4th of July sports event. This time, it's taking place in Glen Ellyn, a suburban village west of Downtown Chicago. Some of the funds raised at the race are donated to the Friends of Glen Ellyn Parks’ Scholarship Fund to cover the cost of recreation and educational programs for families in need. The run & walk begin at 7:30 am at Lake Ellyn Park. The best runners will be presented with their awards at 8:30 am.
