The Chicago Department of Aviation is expecting record numbers of travelers to go through Midway and O’Hare Airports over the Fourth of July holiday.
According to the department, more than 2.1 million passengers are projected to travel through Chicago’s airports during the seven-day holiday period beginning on July 2.
Of those travelers, 1.6 million are predicted to use O’Hare, with nearly 500,000 passing through Midway Airport.
nWhere: Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway
nAdmission: $53.99 when purchased on the Six Flags site
nWhy Go: Independence Day at Six Flags Great America began early with holiday classics like fireworks every night and festive foods, as well as exclusive ride times and special ticket prices when attendees show up with Coca-Cola products and purchase tickets online.
nWhere: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph Street
nAdmission: Free
nWhy Go: July 4th will bring the Grant Park Orchestra front and center at Millennium Park with an Independence Day salute. Enjoy the sounds orchestra music with free seating in the Seating Bowl, on the lawn, or if you wish to be closer, tickets start at $26 (rain or shine).
nWhere: North Riverside Parks and Rec.,2401 Desplaines Ave.
nAdmission: Free
nWhy Go: North Riverside's 4th of July Festival in the park celebrates US Independence with a parade, t-ball, food, soda for the children and beer for adults, music, and fireworks at 9 p.m.
nWhere: Uihlein Plaza, 1601 N. Clark Street
nAdmission: Free for IL residents
nWhy Go: July 4th at the Chicago History Museum will showcase a reading of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic music, Illinois Supreme Court Justice and keynote speaker Anne M. Burke, as well as a parade tailored for children, led by the World’s Tallest Uncle Sam.
nWhere: Intersection of I-390 and Park Boulevard, Itasca
nAdmission: Free
nWhy Go: Hamilton Lakes' fantastic fireworks will also have live music by Pat McKillen and Maggie Speaks with Fran and Anton performing some classic covers. Restaurants will offer picnic-style items and the Itasca Brewing Company will host a craft beer tent. The night will culminate with fireworks synchronized to music at dusk.
nWhere: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave, Chicago
nAdmission: Free
nWhy Go: The Pier hosts biweekly Aon Summer Fireworks throughout the summer on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and will of course have a show ready for Fourth of July. The holiday will include live music in front of Lake Michigan. Gates will close when the venue reaches maximum capacity!
nWhere: RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway
nAdmission: Free
nWhy Go: See fireworks and enjoy other festivities, including The American Legion Band starting at 6:15 p.m., followed by the Fox Valley Orchestra. After dark, Aurora promises a dazzling fireworks display.
nWhere: Varying locations (see below)
nAdmission: Varies
nWhy Go: Get a head start on Independence Day fireworks or enjoy the day of. For a full list of times and locations around the city and suburbs click here.
nWhere: 54th and Old Lake Park Ave., Hyde Park
nAdmission: Free, but donations welcomed
nWhy Go: The 4th on 53rd celebration is known as the "everybody marches nobody watches parade." In its 27th year, it features a lively, old fashioned holiday party.
nWhere: Tavern at the Park,130 E. Randolph Street
nAdmission: Free, pay to dine
nWhy Go: Overlook the city and Millennium Park at The Tree House, a rooftop extension of Tavern at the Park. It may be a good spot to dine as you view fireworks in areas nearby this holiday week.
nWhere: Burnham Park, La Villita Park, Oz Park, and others
nAdmission: Free
nWhy Go: The Movies in the Parks program takes a break on July 4th, but you catch some flicks before and afterwards at various Chicago parks. Titles vary from classics like "The Truman Show" (Burnham Park) to recent releases like "Wonder Woman" (Dunbar Park). Full schedule
nWhere: Parkway Bank Park, Rosemont
nAdmission: Free
nWhy Go: The Parkway Bank Park entertainment district will celebrate summer and independence with the Rockin’ in the Park free concert series. Free concerts are on Thursdays, featuring music by numerous cover bands, food vendors on the park’s lawn, and a fireworks show after the music!
To celebrate the holidays, Midway will offer free lemonade to passengers on July 3 from 11am to 2 pm and will give out frozen popsicles on the Fourth of July.
Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least two hours before traveling to ensure they get through security, get boarding passes, and checking bags in enough time to fly.
