Celebrate Independence Day with a Parade, Games, Concert, and Fireworks

The Evanston Fourth of July Association, in cooperation with the City of Evanston, invites the community to enjoy a full day of festivities on Saturday, July 4. This year’s celebration will feature the Association’s family-friendly games in the morning, tennis finals, a Kids' Fun Run, an award-winning parade along Central Street in the afternoon, and an evening concert and fireworks display at the lakefront.

This year’s Celebration theme is “Home of the Brave Since 1776” in honor of the United States’ 250th birthday and the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The parade’s grand marshal this year will be U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, the Evanston-based congresswoman who has served Illinois' 9th congressional district since 1999 and announced she will retire at the end of her term in January 2027. 

Founded more than a century ago, the Evanston Fourth of July Association was established after a young child was injured playing with fireworks. In response, local parents came together in 1922 to create a safe, supervised way to celebrate Independence Day, a tradition that continues today. This year's Celebration includes:

Morning Games

Family playground activities and games will start at 9 a.m. at five locations:

• Baker Park – Forest & Keeney
• Kamen Park – East – South Blvd & Barton
• Lincolnwood School – McDaniel & Grant
• Robert Crown Community Center – Main & Dodge
• Willard School – Central Park & Park Place

The morning games, including classic favorites like sack races, penny drop, and egg races, and the ever-popular pie-eating contest, have become a cherished Evanston tradition. 

Fun Run

Children aged 10 years and younger are invited to take part in the 0.7-mile Evanston 4th of July Kids' Fun Run. Participants can register online or on race day from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the race's starting line. The run begins at 12:45 p.m. at Ackerman Park, located at Central Street and McDaniel Avenue.

Parade

The parade begins at 2 p.m. on Central Street at Central Park Avenue, and then travels east to Ashland Avenue (Ryan Field).

Concert & Fireworks

The Palatine Concert Band will perform from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Arrington Lakefront Lagoon at Dawes Park, located at Sheridan Road and Church Street. Lakefront fireworks, set to popular music, will begin at about 9:30 p.m. Fireworks are visible from most lakefront parks.

Volunteers Still Needed

Additional City Reminders

Parking: Free parking will be available in downtown Evanston's public parking garages. Visit the City's website for locations and more information.

Traffic and safety updates: Updates regarding traffic, parking, and more can be found on the Evanston Police Department's X account @EvanstonPD.

City chair ordinance: As a reminder, chairs may not be placed out along the parade route until 6 a.m. on July 1.

Firework safety: The use of fireworks is illegal in Evanston, which includes sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles. Unauthorized fireworks pose serious risks of injury, fire, and noise disturbances, especially for children, pets, and veterans. Evanston Police will be enforcing laws prohibiting fireworks. Community members may report illegal fireworks by calling 847-866-5000 (police non-emergency line).

For more information about the celebration, visit evanston4th.org. For more information regarding City reminders, call 847-448-4311 or simply dial 3-1-1 while in Evanston.