Make plans to celebrate the Fourth of July in Elgin on Saturday, July 4, with a full day of family-friendly events, including a parade, pet parade, live music, food and drink vendors, children’s activities, a pie-eating contest and a fireworks show finale!

The Fourth of July Parade steps off at 9 a.m. from Douglas and Slade avenues, traveling south on Douglas Avenue and ending near City Hall at Highland Avenue. The pet parade also begins at 9 a.m., stepping off near the NENA Butterfly Garden at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Ann Street, following the same route.

After the parades, head to Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., at 5 p.m. for an evening of entertainment, activities and food.

Activities at the Festival Park celebration include the return of free children’s carnival games, the giant Lite-Brite wall and a new interactive butter-making activity open to all.

Festivities also include the return of the popular pie-eating contest, sponsored by Herb’s Bakery. Fruit-filled pies will be provided for contestants across three age groups: 6–12, 13–17 and 18 and older. The contest will begin around 7:30 p.m. Registration is free and required for participation, and prizes will be awarded to winners.

Live Music Lineup:

•    5–6 p.m. — Petty Betty

•    6:30–7:30 p.m. — Journey from the Heart

•    8–9:20 p.m. — JUMP - America’s Van Halen Experience

The fireworks show is scheduled for about 9:20 p.m. and will last 15 to 20 minutes, concluding the celebration.

VIP Experience

Upgrade your celebration with VIP access, which includes reserved bar access, lawn seating, private restrooms and an elevated viewing deck with prime views of the stage and fireworks, all enhanced by ambient lighting. 

Early bird VIP tickets are available through May 13 for $15, after which, tickets will be $25, with limited availability on-site if the event is not sold out. Each guest age 12 and older must have a ticket to enter. Children under 12 are free but must be accompanied by a ticketed adult, with a maximum of two children per adult ticket.

Please note that lawn chairs are not provided, so remember to bring your own!

VIP tickets can be purchased at elginil.gov/FourthOfJulyVIP.

Get Involved

Interested in participating? Registration is open for:

•    Parade participants

•    Pet parade participants

•    Pie-eating contest (ages 6–12, 13–17 and 18+)

•    Food Vendors

Visit elginil.gov/FourthOfJuly for all registration links and full event details.

Parking Information

For a map of the free downtown parking, visit elginil.gov/FourthOfJulyParking. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early due to street closures. Road and parking closures will be shared closer to the event.

For additional information, including a full schedule of events, street closures and downtown parking maps, visit elginil.gov/FourthOfJuly or contact Elgin 311.

Learn more about upcoming special events at elginil.gov/DCASE