Ready to celebrate Independence Day with a dazzling display of fireworks? Looking for live music, carnival rides, and festive fun? Anticipating a round of parades? Look no further! Our updated July 4th Guide for McHenry County has the details on local fireworks, parades, festivals, and more!
Of course, these festivities not only take place on or around the 4th, but often start end of June and stretch across July. Our guide to the 4th helps to make sure you don’t miss any of the events or fireworks near you.
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Make Your July 4th Plans Now
Don’t wait until the last minute to make your plans for the 4th. Between getting together with family and friends, BBQ’s, festivals, and fireworks displays, a lot is going on this time of year. We can’t do everything, but we’ve tried to pull together the most comprehensive list of fireworks displays, parades, and other festivals in McHenry County.
Below you’ll find, by city, the list of Independence Day fireworks shows, parades, and festivals across McHenry County. These events are highly subject to change, so be sure to visit the links we provide for the most up-to-date information.
Some of these shows are part of larger festivals, so also be sure to check their websites for more details on other dates and festival events.
Click to Submit Others, Information, or Corrections
Did we miss one or include one that is no longer relevant? Or maybe you have information to add or we need to correct our information? We greatly appreciate any help that others can provide. Please provide as much information, including links to other sources, as you can in the form below. Thanks!
Events that have not been confirmed are highlighted.
McHenry County Fourth of July Fireworks Shows, Parades, & Festivals
Cary
Stars N’ Stripes Fest
Date & Time: Saturday 6/28/2025, 3:00 pm
Address: Cary-Grove Park, 3 Oaks Rd &, N 1st St, Cary, IL 60013
Host: Cary Park District
Phone: 847-639-6100
Information: Details, Article
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake’s Annual Independence Day Parade
Date & Time: Sunday 7/6/2025, 1:00 pm
Address: North Dole Ave, Country Club Road, and Golf Road, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Host: Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 815-459-1300
Information: Details, Article
Crystal Lake Fireworks & Concert
Date & Time: Sunday 7/6/2025, beach opening 9:00 am; fireworks at dusk.
Address: 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Lakeside Festival
Date & Times: Thursday 7/3 – Sunday 7/6/2025, times vary by day, see details.
Address: 401 Country Club Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Host: Lakeside Legacy Foundation
Phone: 815-455-8000
Information: Details, Article
Fox Lake
Celebrate Fox Lake Parade
Date & Time: Saturday 6/28/2025, 10:00 am.
Address: Grand Ave, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Host: Village of Fox Lake
Phone: 224-225-1404
Information: Details
Celebrate Fox Lake Fireworks
Date & Time: Saturday 6/28/2025, 5:00 pm, fireworks at dusk.
Address: 10 Riverview Ave, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Host: Village of Fox Lake
Phone: 224-225-1404
Information: Details
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Fox River Grove
Fox River Grove Fireworks Display
Date & Time: Saturday 7/6/2024, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Address: 598 Birch Ln, Fox River Grove, IL 60021
Host: Village of Fox River Grove
Phone: 847-639-3170
Information: Details
Hebron
Hebron’s Annual Independence Day Parade
Date & Time: Saturday 7/5/2025, 10:00 am – noon
Address: Moraine Rd & Price Rd, Hebron, IL 60034
Host: Village of Hebron
Phone: 815-648-2353
Information: Details, Article
Huntley
Independence DayParade & Fireworks Show
Date & Time: Friday 7/4/2025, 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Address: 11419 IL-47, Huntley, IL 60142
Host: Village of Huntley
Phone: 847-515-5200
Information: Details
{ See more fireworks details below tips. }
BONUS: Top 20 Tips for a Great Time
- Check weather and details on the day of for any critical changes.
- Be aware of what is and isn’t allowed: food, drink, alcohol, glass, coolers, grills, lawn chairs, wagons, sparklers, etc.
- If beverages are allowed, bring more water than you think you’ll need, and pre-freeze some bottles or jugs if you will be there throughout the afternoon.
- Bring compact but filling and satisfying snacks…granola bars, a bag of almonds, etc.
- Napkins and wet wipes.
- Check ahead of time on fees: admission, parking, per person or by vehicle, cash or card, discounts, etc.
- Be aware of entrances and exits, both people and vehicles, and traffic routes; especially as these may not be the same as normal operations.
- Bring some compact umbrellas for emergency sunshade.
- Wide, all-around brim hats can provide great sun protection where you may need it most…your head and face.
- Lots of suntan lotion and bug spray.
- Pack a couple of pocket flashlights, which, especially for small children, can help for seeing as well as for being seen.
- Dress in light colors, which help reduce the sun’s heat but also add visibility when it turns dark.
- Make sure your devices are well charged ahead of time.
- Think about how you can use wheels…if coolers are allowed and you have one on wheels, what can you strap to it? Have an old foldup luggage dolly?
- Wheels aside, consider what you are willing to carry if you have to carry things that you had planned to roll, and how far you might have to carry them…perhaps two chairs and a couple of blankets are better than eight chairs!
- Books or small toys to occupy the little ones.
- Room for a board game? Great opportunity for everyone to put their phones away for some quality family time as you wait for the sun to go down.
- Earplugs, especially for the little ones, but really, for everyone.
- White kitchen trash bags…because it’s just not that hard to pick up after ourselves and they provide added visibility when you are walking out.
- Plan to stick around a while. Bring a lantern to light up a gameboard or pull up a video on your phone or tablet as you wait for people to clear out ahead of you.
Island Lake
Independence Day Parade & Community Picnic
Date & Time: Friday 7/4/2025
Address: 3720 Greenleaf Ave, Island Lake, IL 60042
Host: Village of Island Lake
Phone:
Information: Details
Independence Day Fireworks
Date & Time: Saturday 7/12/2025
Address: TBD, Island Lake, IL 60042
Host: Village of Island Lake
Phone:
Information: Details
Johnsburg
Pistakee Bay Fireworks
Date & Time: Saturday 7/12/2025, 3:00 pm.
Address: 801 Oak Grove Rd, Johnsburg, IL 60051
Host: Pistakee Bay Fireworks
Phone: 815-385-9872
Information: Details
Lakemoor
4th of July Parade
Date & Time: Tuesday 7/4/2024, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Address: 28581 IL Rte 120, Lakemoor, IL 60051
Host: Village of Lakemoor
Phone: 815-385-1117
Information: Details
Marengo
Day in the Park
Date & Time: Saturday 7/12/2025, 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Address: 825 Indian Oaks Trail, Marengo, IL 60152
Host: City of Marengo
Phone: 815-568-5126
Information: Details
McHenry
Red, White, & Booze Fest
Dates & Times: Saturday 6/29-30/2024, 11:00 pm – Midnight
Address: 1401 Riverside Dr, McHenry, IL 60050
Host: The Courthouse Tavern
Phone: 815-322-2658
Information: Details
McHenry
Fiesta Days Fireworks
Date & Time: Sunday 7/13/2025, 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Address: 4300 Peterson Park Rd, McHenry, IL 60050
Host: City of McHenry
Phone:
Information: Details
Fiesta Days Parade
Date & Time: Sunday 7/20/2025, 1:30 pm
Address: 1200 N Green St, McHenry, IL 60050
Host: City of McHenry
Phone:
Information: Details
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Spring Grove
Spring Grove 4th of July Parade
Date & Time: Friday 7/4/2025, 12:00 pm
Address: 8013 Blivin St., Spring Grove, IL 60081
Host: Village of Spring Grove
Phone:
Information: Details
Spring Grove 4th of July Fireworks
Date & Time: Friday, 7/4/2025, Dusk
Address: 8516 Winn Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081
Host: Village of Spring Grove
Phone:
Information: Details
Wonder Lake
Wonder Lake Independence Day Celebration
Date & Time: Saturday 7/4 – 7/6/25
Address: Hancock Dr, Wonder Lake, IL
Host: Village of Wonder Lake
Phone:
Information: Details
Woodstock
Woodstock Annual 4th of July Firework Display
Date & Time: Friday 7/4/2025, Dusk
Address: 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098
Host: City of Woodstock
Phone: 815-338-4301
Information: Details
Reminder, all information is subject to change. We’ll do our best to add and update as we can, but we always encourage checking the specific sites for the most up-to-date information.
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President and Founder of Identity Developments, LLC, the parent company of the McHenry Life website. My hope for McHenry Life is to create a resource and destination for the residents and businesses of McHenry County alike. A place where residents can discover new places to explore, fun events and ways to spend time, and then share those experiences with others. A place where businesses can connect with existing and potential customers, and not simply market their businesses, but share their own unique stories.
