The 4th of July is essentially a nationwide birthday party, and you're SO not about to miss out on the fun. If you can't get away for the long weekend, don't sweat it. Chicago is prepped to celebrate this super-sized day with extra sparklers. We know keeping track of the craziness on a weekend like this can get overwhelming, and your day-planner doesn't quite fit in your new straw clutch. So, we're making sense of the mayhem with an editor-approved list of weekend events and must-do's that will help you fulfill your patriotic duty to have fun. From fireworks to epic club nights, whatever you do, you'll know this weekend is about to blow up.
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1. Downtown Sound: Mucca Pazza + Cave at Millennium Park . If you haven’t checked out Millennium Park’s Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays (they’re awesome and free), there’s no time like the present. Plus Mucca Pazza, 30-piece self-described “circus punk marching band,” sounds like it’s worth our while.
2. Fireworks in Evanston with the Palatine Concert Band. Fireworks are great, but why not...um...set the night to music?
3. July 4th Chicago Fireworks Dinner Cruise at Navy Pier with Odyssey Cruise. Experience Navy Pier’s fireworks display in yacht style. I’m on a boat, anyone?
4. July 4th Fireworks at Navy Pier. The city of Chicago may have taken away their fireworks on the 3rd, but don’t worry, Navy Pier’s got your back.
5. Cubs vs. White Sox and Wrigleyville Block Party. Celebrate Independence Day with America’s favorite pastime at the biggest block party of the year.
6. First Fridays indepenDANCE jump-off at the House of Blues. We love dance parties almost as much as we love a good pun. Get both at First Friday’s indepenDANCE summer kick-off event.
7. 4th of July at The Mid. The 4th of July: an excuse to party if we ever saw one.
8. Vintage Heaven United We Buy Sale. We don’t know about you but nothing says 4th of July to us like some high quality vintage shopping.
9. Rock for Kids & Beauty Bar Present: Wet Hot American Beach Party. Beauty Bar will be magically transformed into a beach, glassware will be unheard of, and you'll enjoy cocktail specials all night long. Do it for the kids.
10. Workshop takes 40% off Frei Designs. If you like it, then you better get a discount on it. Shopping is patriotic.