If you’re looking for fireworks in McHenry County, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve updated our fireworks show guide for 2023 to help you with the when and where for fireworks near you and across the county. So grab your calendar and start planning your Independence Day fun! It’ll be here before you know it.
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Ready for Fireworks? How about a parade? And who doesn’t like a good festival?!
School is out and Memorial Day has come and gone. June will be a memory before we know it. 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, there is a lot 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 July 4th fireworks shows (including a few weeks on either side of Independence Day), including city, date, general times, location, and links to more detailed information. Keep in mind that 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 festivities.
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
Summer Celebration
Date: Friday 6/30/2023
Location: Lions Park
Address: 1200 Silver Lake Rd, Cary IL 60013
Time: 6:30 pm start
Notes: Come out and kick off the summer with pop and classic rock music performed by Starlight City, delicious food from a number of food trucks (or pack your own), and some amazing fireworks!
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake’s Annual Independence Day Parade
Date: Sunday 7/2/2023
Location: Dole Avenue to Crystal Lake Main Beach
Address: 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Time: 1:00 pm start
Notes: Starting at the Crystal Lake Municipal Complex at West Woodstock Street, then proceeds down Dole Avenue, Lakeshore Drive & Lake Avenue, Country Club Road, and finally onto Golf Road where it finishes at South Elementary School.
Crystal Lake Fireworks
Date: Sunday 7/2/2023
Location: Crystal Lake Main Beach
Address: 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Time: Beach opening 9:00 am; with fireworks at dusk.
Notes: Main Beach admissions, $5 admissions per person after 2:30 pm.
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Lakeside Festival
Date: Thursday 6/29 – Sunday 7/2/2023
Location: Dole Mansion & Lakeside Arts Park
Address: 401 Country Club Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Time: Varies by day, see details
Notes: Four fun-filled days for the whole family with lots of bands on 2 stages, amazing food, bags tournament, carnival rides & games, and more.
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Fox Lake
Celebrate Fox Lake Parade
Date: Saturday 7/1/2023
Location: Grand Avenue
Address: Grand Ave, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Time: 11:00 am
Notes:
Phone: 224-225-1404
Information: Details
Celebrate Fox Lake Fireworks
Date: Saturday 7/1/2023
Location: Lakefront Park
Address: 71 Nippersink Blvd, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Time: 5:00 pm
Notes: Live music before the fireworks, which will be held at dusk.
Phone: 224-225-1404
Information: Details
Fox River Grove
Fox River Grove Fireworks Display
Date: Saturday 7/8/2023
Location: Picnic Grove Park
Address: 598 Birch Ln, Fox River Grove, IL 60021
Time: 6:00 pm
Notes: No parking in the park, but convenient shuttles will be available around town. Come out for food, fun, and fireworks!
Phone: 847-639-3170
Information: Details
Hebron
Hebron’s Annual Independence Day Parade
Date: Saturday 7/1/2023
Location: Community Park
Address: Moraine Rd & Price Rd, Hebron, IL 60034
Time: 10:00 am
Notes: Begins and ends at Community Park. See details for parade route.
Phone:
Information: Details
Huntley
Independence Day Fireworks Show
Date: Tuesday 7/4/2023
Location: Deicke Park
Address: 11419 IL-47, Huntley, IL 60142
Time: 7:00 pm
Notes: Party in the Park beginning at 7:00 p.m. with fireworks beginning at dusk.
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
Date: Tuesday 7/4/2023
Location: Westridge Subdivision
Address: 3720 Greenleaf Ave, Island Lake, IL 60042
Time: 10:00 am
Notes: See details for parade route. Picnic held at Village Hall after parade.
Phone:
Information: Details
Johnsburg
Pistakee Bay Fireworks
Date: Saturday 7/8/2023
Location: Pistakee Bay
Address: 801 Oak Grove Rd, Johnsburg, IL 60051
Time: 3:00 pm
Notes: Donations accepted.
Phone: 815-385-9872
Information: Details
Lakemoor
4th of July Parade
Date: Tuesday 7/4/2023
Location: Village Hall
Address: 28581 IL Rte 120, Lakemoor, IL 60051
Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Notes: See details for parade route.
Phone: 815-385-1117
Information: Details
Marengo
Day in the Park
Date: Saturday 7/8/2023
Location: Indian Oaks Park
Address: 825 Indian Oaks Trail, Marengo, IL 60152
Time: 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Notes: Fireworks will be held around dusk as part of the Day in the Park event.
Live broadcast on WXMR 94.3 Marengo Community Radio.
Phone: 815-568-5126
Information: Details
McHenry
Fiesta Days Fireworks
Date: Sunday 7/16/2023
Location: Petersen Park
Address: 4300 Peterson Park Rd, McHenry, IL 60050
Time: 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Notes: Free entry and parking (limited).
Phone:
Information: Details
Fiesta Days Parade
Date: Sunday 7/23/2023
Location: Peterson Park
Address: 1200 N Green St, McHenry, IL 60050
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Notes: Route: east on Main Street, left on Green Street, right on Pearl Street, left on Riverside Drive to Washington Street.
Phone:
Information: Details
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Spring Grove
Spring Grove 4th of July Parade
Date: Tuesday 7/4/2023
Location: Main Street
Address: 8013 Blivin St., Spring Grove, IL 60081
Time: 12:00 pm
Notes: Food and beverages will be available in Main Street Park during the parade.
Phone:
Information: Details
Spring Grove 4th of July Fireworks
Date: Tuesday 7/4/2023
Location: Thelen Park
Address: 8516 Winn Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081
Time: Dusk
Notes: See Details.
Phone:
Information: Details
Wonder Lake
Wonder Lake Independence Day Parade
Date: Sunday 7/2/2023
Location:
Address: 5006 E Wonder Lake Rd, Wonder Lake, IL 60097
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (approximate)
Notes:
Phone:
Information: Details
Water-Ski Show
Date: Sunday 7/2/2023
Location: Wonder Lake Center Beach
Address: 4107 E Lake Shore Dr, Wonder Lake, IL 60097
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Notes: Free
Phone:
Information: Details
Wonder Lake 4th of July Fireworks
Date: Sunday 7/2/2023
Location: Wonder Lake Center Beach
Address: 4107 E Lake Shore Dr, Wonder Lake, IL 60097
Time: 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm (approximate)
Notes:
Phone:
Information: Details
Woodstock
Woodstock Annual 4th of July Firework Display
Date: Tuesday 7/4/2023
Location: Emricson Park
Address: 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098
Time: Dusk
Notes: $10 parking fee. Donations accepted.
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.
