This July, be sure to check out the Fourth of July events and the summer festivals happening this month. Also, find movies in the park and music in the park events great for your family.
Keep on scrolling to see our top picks of kid-friendly July 2024 events in Chicago and the suburbs. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @chicagoparent if you check any of them out!
This article was recently updated June 28, 2024, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding new Chicagoland events to the ChicagoParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best family events this mont. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagoparent.com.
Best July family events in Chicago
There are a lot of great summer festivals to check out with your kids this month. Be sure to enjoy the summer fireworks at Navy Pier happening all summer long on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Be sure to check out Broadway in your Backyard at various Chicago Park Districts. Get your tickets ahead of time because this anticipated event will sell out fast! Find even more July events in Chicago on our calendar.
Broadway in your Backyard
July 2, 9, 11, 16, 2024
- Address: Chicago Park Districts
- Cost: Free
Join Porchlight Music Theatre at various Chicago Park Districts for a free summer series that will feature hits from the Broadway songbook.
4th on 53rd Parade and Free Festival at Hyde Park Bank
July 4, 2024
- Address: 1525 E. 53rd St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
The day will begin at 11 a.m. with the parade and feature floats, community groups, marching bands and kids on decorated bikes and scooters. Afterwards, there will be a free festival at noon with performances, face painting, bounce houses, petting zoo, magician and much more.
Civic Season | Independence Day at Chicago History Museum
July 4, 2024
- Address: 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Illinois residents/free; Nonresidents: $19/adult, $17/senior and students, free/ages 12 and under
Join the museum for their Fourth of July event featuring community-serving organizations, take part in art workshops and more.
Old Town School of Folk Music Happy Hour at Gallagher Way
July 9, 16, 2024
- Address: 3635 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a summer concert featuring rock, pop and folk music, free dance lessons and other interactive music experiences. For all ages. July 9 is The Hoyle Brothers and July 16 is Los Gallos.
Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration
July 18-21, 2024
- Address: Millenium Park, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy four days of free activities, performances by Award-Winning Artists and more to celebrate Millennium Park’s 20th Anniversary.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
July 19-21, 2024
- Address: 2000 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
Come out to this festival to try and vote for Chicago’s Best Burger. In addition to food, there will be music, arts/crafts and a “Kids’ Zone” for children and families to enjoy.
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
July 26-28, 2024
- Address: 2500 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
Enjoy a main stage with local and regional entertainment, food, arts and crafts and more.
Wicker Park Fest
July 26-28, 2024
- Address: Milwaukee Ave. from Damen Ave. to Paulina St., Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
This event returns to Wicker Park and features over 50 local bands, over 200 participating small businesses, kid-friendly areas, local food vendors and more.
Chinatown Summer Fair
July 27-28, 2024
- Address: Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road, Chicago
- Cost: Free
There will be a lion dance procession, Asian performances, Kung Fu demonstrations, food, arts & crafts exhibits, street vendors, children’s area, a breakdancing competition and more.
Best July family events in the North/Northwest Suburbs
Enjoy plenty of great Fourth of July events, including Evanston’s 4th of July Celebration and Glenview Fourth of July. Find even more July events in the North/Northwest suburbs on our calendar.
Glenview Fourth of July
July 4, 2024
- Address: Harlem Avenue & Glenview Road, Glenview; Gallery Park, 2001 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
- Cost: Free
Join the Fourth of July celebrations with a bike parade, floats music with live DJ, live entertainers, food vendors and more. End the evening with a fireworks show, synchronized to music in Galley Park.
Lincolnshire Art Festival
July 6-7, 2024
- Address: 100 Village Green, Lincolnshire
- Cost: Free
Lincolnshire Art Festival showcases the work of more than 80 juried artists from around the world in a variety of mediums. There’s also live music, a selection of beers, festival food, a kids art zone and more.
Itasca Fest 2024 at Washington Park
July 11-14, 2024
- Address: 350 W. Irving Park Road, Itasca
- Cost: Contact for prices
Celebrate the weekend-long event, which features live music, games, BINGO, food, drinks and interactive shows and activities for kids of all ages.
Glencoe Festival of Art
July 20-21, 2024
- Address: 700 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
- Cost: Free
110 juried artists from across the country will showcase their work in a variety of different mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry and wood. There will also be live music, food and activities for kids.
Summer Insect Extravaganza at Spring Valley Nature Center
July 20, 2024
- Address: 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg
- Cost: $3/person, $12/family, free/ages 2 and under
Search for insects in the prairie and at the pond and enjoy games and crafts at this event. Admission is paid at the event.
Lincolnwood Fest at Henry A. Proesel Park
July 25-28, 2024
- Address: 6915 Kostner Ave., Lincolnwood
- Cost: Free
This fest features live music, carnival rides, games, BINGO, classic car show, arts and crafts and more.
Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival 2024 at Busse Woods & Ned Brown Meadow
July 27, 2024
- Address: E. Higgins Road & Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village
- Cost: Contact for prices
Take part in the 11th Annual Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival. It blends ancient culture with the excitement of sport and competition. Registration required.
Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony at Ravinia
July 27, 2024
- Address: 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park
- Cost: $20 | Get tickets
See Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony in concert at the pavilion at Ravinia. It is a part of the kid’s concert series.
Best July family events in the South Suburbs
This month, Centennial Park West has some great outdoor movies and music in the park events. Also, check out the 4th of July Parade in downtown Homewood. Find even more July events in the South Suburbs on our calendar.
Movie Nights at Village Commons Lawn
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2024
- Address: 1 Veterans Pkwy., New Lenox
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a movie night at Village Commons on the lawn. Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase. For all ages. July 3 is Elemental (PG), July 10 is Trolls Band Together (PG), July 17 is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (PG), July 24 is Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG) and July 31 is The Wizard of Oz (G).
4th of July Parade in Homewood
July 4, 2024
- Address: Downtown Homewood
- Cost: Free
The route of the parade begins at St. John Neumann Church and travels east along Ridge Road, finishing at Izaak Walton Preserve. Post-parade activities include games, entertainment and delicious summer fare.
Forge Fest at The Forge: Lemont Quarries
July 13, 2024
- Address: 1001 Main St., Lemont
- Cost: Free
Celebrate the 4th Annual Forge Fest, which features workshops and activities for all ages, vendor village, performances and more. Fireworks will take place at 9:15 p.m.
Kids’ Fest at Wampum Lake Forest Preserve
July 13, 2024
- Address: 598 Thornton Lansing Road, Thornton
- Cost: Free
Highlights for this fest include canoeing, climbing, archery, art making, games, nature exploration and more. Canoe slots limited. Registration recommended.
Touch a Truck at Oak Forest Park District
July 18, 2024
- Address: 15601 S. Central Ave., Oak Forest
- Cost: Free
Children can climb on dump trucks, firetrucks and more at this Touch a Truck event. It will be horn-free from 6:45-7:15 p.m. for those with sensitive ears.
Sand Ridge Campus Block Party at Camp Shabbona Woods
July 20, 2024
- Address: 15810 S. Torrence Ave., South Holland
- Cost: Free
Come out to Camp Shabbona Woods with you family and friends to enjoy nature play, music, artmaking and more.
Outdoor Movie Series at Centennial West Park
July 22, 2024
- Address: Jillian Road and Park Station Blvd., Orland Park
- Cost: Free
Bring blanks and lawn chairs to see a showing of Elf (PG). The movie begins at dusk.
Bubbleology at Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center
July 25, 2024
- Address: 20000 S. Western Ave., Olympia Fields
- Cost: $10/resident child, $12/non-resident child, free/adult | Register
Ages 3-10 can enjoy a bubble extravaganza at Bubble-Ology! Bring a towel and wear clothes that can get wet and soapy. Registration required.
Best July family events in the Western Suburbs
This month, be sure to check out the Fourth of July Fireworks and Fourth of July Parade in Aurora. Also, be sure to enjoy Wonder Woods Mini Golf at The Morton Arboretum all summer long. Find even more July events in the Western Suburbs on our calendar.
Aurora Fourth of July Fireworks
July 3, 2024
- Addresses: RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora; McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora; Wilder Park and Promenade, 350 N. River St., Aurora
- Cost: Free
Join the city of Aurora for their annual firework show with the theme, “City of Lights” this year. DJ Suave Smooth will be spinning at RiversEdge and DJ Pena will be spinning at McCullough Park. Wilder Park and Promenade will host a food truck court beginning at 5 p.m.
Movies on The Lawn at Oakbrook Center
July 3, 10, 17 24, 31, 2024
- Address: 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
- Cost: Free
Every Wednesday, Oakbrook Center will host a free outdoor movie series, with refreshments provided by The Table at Crate. In July, watch Field of Dreams (PG), Hotels for Dogs (PG), High School Musical (G) and Trolls Band Together (PG).
Glen Ellyn 4th of July Parade & Festival
July 4, 2024
- Address: Downtown Glen Ellyn and Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn
- Cost: Free
Downtown Glen Ellyn will host their 4th of July Parade at noon with music, floats and American pride. Later in the evening, head to Lake Ellyn Park to see their fireworks display at dusk.
Glendale Heights Fest at Camera Park
July 11-14, 2024
- Address: 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights
- Cost: Free
This event features games, carnival rides, live music, family fun and delicious food. Also, a fireworks display on Sunday evening.
Touch-a-Truck and Kids IDs at Bartlett Metra Parking Lot
July 13, 2024
- Address: 138 E. Bartlett Ave., Bartlett
- Cost: Free
All ages can come check out emergency vehicles, construction trucks and more at Bartlett Metra Parking Lot. There will also be a free Kids ID station by Illinois State Police.
Unplug Illinois – Come Fly A Kite at Memorial Park
July 13, 2024
- Address: 132 West Oak Ave., La Grange Park
- Cost: Free
Kids can “unplug” from technology and fly a kite in Memorial Park. Bring your own kite or purchase one from the Park District.
Transportation Zoo at DuPage Children’s Museum
July 20, 2024
- Address: 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
- Cost: Free w/museum admission
Explore exciting vehicles and take part in transportation-themed activities at DuPage Children’s Museum. This is a touch-a-truck experience for the whole family. There will also be a family-friendly DJ, a big van wash and a mini muddy car wash.
Voyage en France at Cantigny Park
July 20, 2024
- Address: 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
- Cost: $15-plus/adult, free/ages 15 and under | Get tickets
Join Cantigny Park for a day filled with French-inspired delights and cultural experiences. There will be photo stations and iconic sights including an Eiffel Tower replica.
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