Where to Watch the Chicago Fourth of July Fireworks 2024
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Chicago's 4th of July fireworks 2024 promise to be one of the best ways to experience the Windy City's summertime magic. As always, Navy Pier spotlights the season, hosting dazzling fireworks displays every Wednesday and Saturday—including Wednesday, July 3 and Saturday, July 6. Arrive to the shoreline early for a spot, or explore a number of other vantage points across the city. Below, see the best places to watch the 4th of July fireworks in Chicago this year—from skyscrapers to river cruises (and plenty in between).
Navy Pier at night - Chicago
Navy Pier
You can enjoy fireworks at Navy Pier every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m. throughout the summer. Note that their special Independence Day display, presented by Choose Chicago and NASCAR, will be on July 3.
The pier juts into Lake Michigan for the length of six city blocks and it offers amazing views over the water, but the nearby lakeshore is also a perfect place to catch the action. Arrive early for free musical performances at the Navy Pier Beer Garden on Wednesday, July 3: Brandon Goode (country) plays at 1 p.m.; Toronzo Cannon (blues) at 3 p.m.; and Stache (variety cover band) at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 6, Fernando Jones (blues) plays at 2 p.m.; Joanna Connor (blues) comes on at 5:30 p.m.; and The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. (funk/dance) performs at 9 p.m.—plus free DJ sets on the Wave Wall Stage.
On July 3, catch the NASCAR Chicago Family Fest (2 p.m. to 9 p.m.), where families can enjoy free, Pier-wide activities, such as NASCAR show cars photo opps, an iRacing pros live competition, a new Kids Gaming Garage, and remote-control car racing (on a scaled replica of the NASCAR Chicago Street Course). For the ultimate summer night, stick around the Pier and try to time a ride on the 200-foot Centennial Ferris Wheel to the start of the fireworks show.
For dinner with your show, head to nearby Reunion, where chef Art Smith serves some of his signature Southern-inspired plates. Settle in at the 200-seat patio for orders of shrimp and grits and jambalaya, and save room for dessert—on Wednesdays, their Sip and Slice promo ($17) features a glass of Champagne or Aperol Spritz with a slice of Smith’s famous Hummingbird Cake. Enjoy it all alongside live music multiple times a week, including on fireworks days (Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
Miru at The St. Regis Chicago
The St. Regis Chicago opened its doors last year, bringing with it sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Stay overnight to turn it into a holiday weekend, or book in at its rooftop restaurant Miru, where chef Hisanobu Osaka (Morimoto, Daniel) serves a pristine array of nigiri and signature maki. Do explore the rest of the menu’s punchy, refined options—right down to vegetable courses like grilled avocado or Japanese cucumber (even edamame shines, served charred with Japanese seven spice). Desserts from pastry chef Juan Gutierrez (winner of Netflix's School of Chocolate)—coconut-mango cake; black sesame mochi with charcoal-vanilla ice cream—are equal parts focused and whimsical. Ask for a table outside for the best fireworks views, or just meander out there for the show—here, it’s a biweekly celebration.
River cruises
A summertime cruise on the Chicago River or Lake Michigan is always a good idea, but particularly so beneath a dazzling lights display. Don't have a friend with a boat? City Cruises has you covered, with hour-long excursions aboard their Seadog Lakefront Fireworks Speedboat Cruise every Wednesday and Saturday during summer months. Those looking to slow things down a bit can book one of their dinner cruises, be it their signature Lake Michigan outing (with a dinner buffet and live DJ) or their premier dinner cruise (featuring a plated dinner).
You’ll feel extra patriotic when booking with Chicago Fireboat Tours, a veteran-owned and -operated business featuring cruises on the Fred A. Busse, a retired fireboat that served the Chicago Fire Department for more than 40 years. They offer a fireworks cruise every Wednesday and Saturday in the summer, including on July 3 at 8:30 p.m. (ensuring ample time before the 9 p.m. show). There's also a fireworks cruise on July 6 at 9:30 p.m. (with the fireworks show at 10 p.m.).
Chicago Electric Boat Company has self-guided Duffy, retro, donut, and pontoon boats for rent, with the option to hire a captain or tour guide. Reserve one of their party barges, cycleboats, or yachts—they come with a professional captain and deck hand—both by-the-seat and for private groups if you’re looking to kick back (and look up). Gather a group and reserve the Lady Sally, an 8-passenger Duffy boat departing out of Marina City. For the best fireworks views, dock at their new lakefront location in Monroe Harbor.
For a memorable stay, book a weekend at the Four Seasons and some time aboard their 55-foot yacht, where you can enjoy a curated fireworks experience, including a bespoke menu from chef Richie Farina featuring a medley of elevated bites. For a real splurge, spring for the Dom Perignon Epicurean Package, featuring a Champagne and raw bar set-up.
NASCAR Chicago Street Race
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is back on July 6 and 7, gathering fans for its 12-turn, 2.2-mile course that will take drivers by some of the city’s most iconic sites and landmarks. Stick around post-race on July 6, when The Black Keys will perform at Grant Park, followed by The Chainsmokers—natural accompaniments to that night’s fireworks, accessible exclusively through NASCAR Chicago Experiences by QuintEvents (packages ranging to include prime seating and hotel stays).
The Robey
If you don’t do crowds and are content with neighborhood fireworks, opt for The Robey hotel in Wicker Park. You’ll be far from the lake, but you’ll be able to spot fireworks in every direction, especially from the hotel’s 13th-floor lounge, The Up Room. Afterwards, head to the 6th-floor Cabana Club, where you can dip your toes in the outdoor pool and order ice-cold drinks and Mediterranean bites by chef Michael Elliott. Try one of their frozen treats (Aperol pops or the piña colada, available with or without alcohol), and raise a glass as the sun sets and the light show kicks off.
Museum Campus
Promontory Point offers all-encompassing views over the distant, illuminated skyline—but for slightly closer views, settle in somewhere on Museum Campus (namely, the coveted stretch between the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium). Keep the celebrations going on July 3, when the Shedd Aquarium hosts “Jazzin’ at the Shedd,” a weekly chance to enjoy drinks and music from one of Chicago’s top jazz ensembles, plus excellent lakefront and skyline views. Navy Pier’s regularly programmed Wednesday fireworks kick off at 9 p.m., ensuring a special way to wind down the evening.
Cindy’s at the Chicago Athletic Association
For an exciting viewing experience, gather with friends at any number of hotels with balconies, rooftops, or lake views—and if you’re near Millennium Park, make it the Chicago Athletic Association and its rooftop restaurant Cindy’s, where guests can enjoy bites by chef Kaleena Bliss while taking in exceptional city views. While there, try the Tierra Roja, a crowd favorite cocktail featuring mezcal, passionfruit, and green tea-infused rum.
360 CHICAGO
For some of the best vantage points of the Chicago 4th of July fireworks 2024, get advance tickets to the 360 CHICAGO observation deck at 875 N. Michigan Ave. (formerly the John Hancock Center). All admission passes include access from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and you can spring for an all-access ticket to experience TILT, a thrilling ride that leans you forward for a staggering 1000-foot-high view of the Mag Mile.
Afterwards, check out the recently opened CloudBar, a cocktail space featuring local breweries, Chicago-inspired cocktails, and stunning views for the fireworks.
Shore Club
Most anything hugging the lakeshore to the north and south of Navy Pier will afford prime fireworks views—and fewer crowds. For a lively option, try Shore Club, a summertime-only hotspot at North Avenue Beach, where the Margarita “Tree” (a cascading selection of mini Patron margs) is just one colorful way to ring in the long weekend—as is their brunch, offered Thursday through Sunday. Visit on July 3 for live music by Mark Konzen, plus Wine Wednesday perks (half off house bottles of wine and rosé).
Grant Park Music Festival
The Grant Park Music Festival features classical performances all summer long from the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Grant Park Chorus. Purchase Jay Pritzker Pavilion seating, or pack a picnic and blanket to enjoy the free (and abundant) lawn area. If you opt for the latter, arrive early to find your spot and take in the park’s charms and mesmerizing city vistas before music begins. For the show on July 3 (6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), violinist Anne Akiko Meyers joins the Orchestra for Mexican composer Arturo Márquez’s Fandango, guest conductor Ludovic Morlot presents Color Shape Transmission by Puerto Rican composer Angélica Negrón, and the show concludes with Tchaikovsky's beloved Symphony No. 6. It’s all an exciting prelude to Navy Pier’s 9 p.m. fireworks that evening, taking place shortly after curtain.
Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company
Situated right on the Ogden Slip canal, this pizzeria’s patio has excellent views of the Navy Pier fireworks. Round up some friends, and ensure your spot by calling or visiting the website in advance to book a table outdoors. Once onsite, kick things off with some starters (mushroom risotto arancini, burrata and crostini) before exploring the pies, which range from the traditional to the adventurous. Don’t miss the Cali Italia (with asiago, mozzarella, gorgonzola, fig jam, and prosciutto) or the Roasted Vegetable (with roasted cherry tomatoes, wild mushrooms, and caramelized onions)—and if you need gluten-free options, they’ve got you covered.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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