Chicago Festivals

Whether you’re looking to grill out at home, hit the beach or enjoy a picnic with friends and family this July 4th, Chicago has you covered. With fireworks at Navy Pier, cookouts at the city’s top BBQ joints and a host of other fun Fourth of July activities to choose from, there’s something for everyone!

Navy Pier Fireworks

If you’re looking for a fun Fourth of July fireworks show in Chicago, there aren’t many better options than the Navy Pier Fireworks. These twice-weekly displays will be blasting over Lake Michigan from May 28 to Sept 4.

In addition to being a fun way to spend an evening, these fireworks are also incredibly impressive! The shows are perfectly synchronized with music over the lake, making them one of the best Chicago firework displays in town.

The shows can be seen from any part of the city, but NEMA Chicago residents have a direct view right from their own homes! NEMA’s South Loop apartments offer a breathtaking view of these fireworks shows from their spacious outdoor terrace.

Cookouts at Home

A cookout is a fun way to spend a summer evening with friends and family. The key is planning, so start thinking about your menu and guest list a couple of weeks in advance.

Then go shopping and thaw frozen foods a few days before the event. You can even ask guests to bring dishes.

A great menu for a cookout includes classic favorites such as burgers, hot dogs, potato chips and corn on the cob. You can also add a few unique spins to the menu with dishes like sugar snap pea fries, watermelon pizza and grilled squash bread.

Picnics

Whether you are celebrating the 4th of July or Canada Day with friends and family, a picnic is a great way to spend time outdoors. Just make sure you have the right supplies, and it will be a successful outing!

Picnics have been a part of life for centuries. They were popular in Medieval times, when the leisure class would stage elegant post-hunt fresh-air feasts.

The word ‘picnic’ has French origins, and the first appearance of the word outside the French language was in 1748. The word was rarely used in English before that.

Boat Tours on the Chicago River

One of the best ways to see a fireworks display in Chicago is to take a boat tour on the Chicago River. There are plenty of options available and each cruise offers different things to see and do.

This is a fantastic way to see the city and hear about its history and architecture. The tours are available throughout the year, so you can choose one that fits into your schedule.

A popular choice is the architectural boat tour. Its tour guide takes you on a narrated ride along the city’s river and highlights the buildings that have made Chicago famous.

The tour also includes a meal and drinks. Depending on the cruise, you can enjoy some music or have an architect-led lecture about the history of Chicago’s architecture.

Patriotic Parades

The 4th of July is the day when Americans celebrate our nation’s independence. If you’re looking for a way to really get into the spirit of this holiday, we recommend incorporating a patriotic parade into your trip.

This city is a great place to celebrate Independence Day, as it hosts a long-running parade that features military and civic floats, a drum-and-bugle corps competition and more. It’s also home to a large variety of fireworks displays across the area.

While Navy Pier is the most popular location for viewing fireworks, there are plenty of other locations around town. You’ll want to arrive early to get a good spot, and you may even be able to score some “diffraction glasses” for an extra layer of visual interest.

Other events that may be of interest:

Chicago Christmas Tree

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

New Year’s Eve Chicago

Chicago 4th of July

Celebrate Independence Day in Chicago.

Event Meta

Name

Navy Pier

Event Status

Scheduled

Start Date

July 3, 2024 12:33 pm

End Date

July 5, 2024 12:33 pm

Event Location

Attendance Mode

Offline

Street

600 E Grand Ave

Postal Code

60611

Locality

Chicago

Country ISO Code

Region ISO Code

IL

St. Patrick's Day Chicago 2024

Enjoy all the fun, food, and celebrations.

Event Meta

Name

Chicago Green River

Event Status

Scheduled

Start Date

March 17, 2024 9:54 am

End Date

March 18, 2024 9:55 am

Event Location

Attendance Mode

Offline

Street

301 E North Water Street

Postal Code

60611

Locality

Chicago

Country ISO Code

Region ISO Code

IL

Chicago has a deep connection to Ireland and Irish heritage. The city’s parades are a big part of the celebration, but there are plenty of other ways to get into the spirit and celebrate your Irish roots.

The Irish American Heritage Center aims to highlight Irish culture all year long, not just on St. Patrick’s Day, said its director. That’s why it hosts cultural events, classes and exhibits.

The South Side Irish Parade

The South Side Irish Parade is an important part of Chicago’s irish heritage. Residents of the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods celebrate the holiday by holding a one-mile parade that celebrates the culture, history and heritage of the Irish.

The parade, which has been held since 1979, is one of the city’s most popular and long-lasting. Despite two attempts at relocation and cancellation, it’s an important event that celebrates the Irish heritage in Chicago’s South Side.

During the parade, you’ll see many colorful floats waving the Irish flag high and a large contingent of bagpipers and marching bands. You’ll also find troops of Irish step dancers and other traditional Irish music groups performing.

The parade is a huge fundraising event for the South Side Irish organization, which also holds a home decorating contest to encourage the neighborhood to dress houses and light poles in shamrock green. The event kicks off with a pre-parade party to inspire the Spirit of Saint Patrick on Saturday, February 25 from 3 to 8 p.m.

The Loop’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Chicago has always had a rich Irish heritage. But it was not until Mayor Richard J. Daley resurrected an idea that had been in decline for decades in the mid-1950s that it truly began to thrive.

The first parade in downtown Chicago took place on March 17, 1843. It drew about 775 people and began on Clark Street with “Smiling John” Davlin as grand marshal.

In the early days, it was a way for the city’s Irish immigrants to show they were free of repression in their homeland. That was because, in the 19th century, Catholics in Ireland had been repressed by British government policies that had made them outcasts in their own country.

The repression in Ireland was also paralleled by the repression that older-stock Protestants in the United States made against Catholic immigrants. This was particularly true in Chicago, where Irish clubs and societies were formed to defend their rights against the repression of older-stock Protestants.

The Irish American Heritage Center

Throughout Chicago’s history, the Irish have contributed to its rich cultural heritage. Whether it’s through their contributions to the city’s industrial revolution or helping to create Chicago’s unique architecture, Chicago has a long and storied relationship with Ireland.

As the oldest Irish community center in Chicago, the Irish American Heritage Center provides the very best in Irish culture through the arts, history, education, dance and social outlets. It also promotes the spirit of Irish pride among non-Irish Americans.

The Irish are a proud people, with a deep sense of identity and loyalty that’s reflected in their strong community, solidarity and hard work. Despite having a relatively small population in the early days of the city, the Irish have helped make Chicago what it is today.

This year, the Irish American Heritage Center is putting on a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day Festival following the downtown parade on Saturday, March 11. The large-scale event is a fun way to celebrate the holiday, with music, dance and children’s activities. Tickets are $15 for adults, and kids 12 and under get in free.

Old St. Pat’s

Chicago has a long and rich history with the Irish. That’s why it’s no surprise that the city turns green every year to celebrate their cultural heritage.

One of the best ways to learn about your ancestry is by exploring the many Irish museums and landmarks around Chicago. Some of these are more focused on the culture than others, but they all have their place and will help you get in touch with your roots while still enjoying all the fun and festivities of St. Patrick’s Day!

A few of these places also offer events that are meant to deepen your connection with Ireland, such as learning how to speak the language or checking out Celtic music. While you’re at it, be sure to try a classic dish like corned beef and cabbage!

You can also learn about Chicago’s rich Irish heritage by visiting Old St. Pat’s Catholic Church, which is considered the cornerstone of the Chicago-Irish community. This landmark features stunning stained-glass windows that were inspired by a Celtic art exhibit at the 1893 World’s Fair.