The 4th of July truly is a week-long celebration, because why not? What better excuse to hop off your diet, eat all the delicious foods of Chicago, and watch fireworks over the lakefront? Of course, the holiday is about celebrating our country, but it is also a celebration of our great city and the community activities that bring friends and family together. If you are looking for the best things to do in Chicago for 4th of July, we have you covered. Check out how to spend your time off this 4th of July weekend in Chicago.
For the best 4th of July fireworks, heading to Navy Pier is an absolute must. Before the spectacular evening display begins, we highly recommend booking an Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour with Chicago Food & City Tours. This signature walking tour takes you through the historic River North and Streeterville neighborhoods right next to the pier. You'll fill up on legendary, full-sized portions of deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, and Italian beef, so you get your festive dinner in without having to worry about impossible holiday dinner reservations!
Movies in the Park is an awesome summer-long tradition and one of the most relaxing Chicago 4th of July events. Pack a cooler, throw in some local snacks, and lay out a blanket because you're in for a fantastic, breezy evening under the stars. Enjoying a blockbuster film surrounded by skyline views is the perfect way to unwind after the big holiday. Oh, and did we mention it’s completely free?
On a beautiful weekend night, there’s no better place to be than Cindy’s Rooftop for a cool, refreshing summer cocktail. The absolute best part of Cindy’s is the panoramic view of Millennium Park and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. If your holiday timing aligns, you can catch an incredible free concert by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus from afar with a drink in hand, completely avoiding the heavy traffic of crowds down below.
If you are hunting for vibrant things to do in Chicago for 4th of July weekend, hit the streets. West Fest is one of the most popular street festivals in town, and there are A LOT of Chicago street fests. The stage is always set with highly anticipated live music performances, local food vendors, and cutting-edge artists. It is the perfect excuse to keep the holiday celebration rolling straight into the weekend.
Pro Tip: If you love the vibe of this area, you should absolutely pair your weekend with the Gateway to The West Loop Food Tour by Chicago Food & City Tours to taste why this neighborhood is considered the culinary heart of Chicago!
Bonci is a beloved pizzeria staple in the West Loop and Wicker Park. They came all the way from Rome to share their unique Roman-style pizza, featuring an incredibly light, airy crust and the freshest artisanal ingredients. It is so uniquely delicious that it safely stands side-by-side with our local claim to fame, the classic deep-dish pizza.
By the end of a packed 4th of July weekend in Chicago, we are all a little tired and in desperate need of some quality "pizza & chill" time. You can easily pick up a few squares of Bonci in-shop at either location, or better yet, stay on the couch and order delivery right to your door.
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