Wednesday – July 3
Centennial Beach / 11AM / Now open daily for building sandcastles, swimming, volleyball, adult floats (9AM weekends), relaxing under the trees and fond memories. Since 1931, families have found summertime fun at 500 W. Jackson Avenue! Daily Admission / Youth: Resident $8 / Nonresident $14; Adult: Resident $10 / Nonresident $16; After 5PM: Resident $5 / Nonresident $8.
Brats at Kreger’s / 10AM to 3PM Wednesday at Kreger’s Brat and Sausage Haus – 606 N. Ellsworth Naperville, IL 60563 / Stop by for lunch, conversation and camaraderie. Let Bill know that you know his wurst is the best, especially for weekend grilling this season and plans for upcoming get-togethers. Note, Kreger’s will be closed July 4-18 and reopen July 19.
Picnic in the Park TIP / Order ahead a picnic “to-go” dinner from a Downtown restaurant before Independence Day weekend events. Find picnic tables along the Riverwalk, in Jaycees Park and at Fredenhagen Park. Celebrate parks and recreation as part of the national initiative throughout the month of June. Spread a blanket in Central Park. Consider Miskatonic Brewing & Craft Kitchen, Catch Thirty-Five, Tapville Social, Quigley’s Irish Pub, or many others. Dine Naperville!
Naperville Municipal Band Patriot Concert / 7:30PM / Naperville Community Concert Center in Central Park – 55 Concert Lane Naperville 60540 / The annual tribute to Independence Day is set for 7:30PM Wed., July 3, complete with a rousing performance of the “1812 Overture” set to blasts by Civil War cannons and reenactors in Central Park. All NMB concerts are free of charge.
Thursday – Happy Independence Day!
GO FISH! / Dawn to Dusk / Considering the defining definition “to search, seek or obtain something indirectly,” you never know what you’ll catch naturally by visiting local parks and ponds to experience the great outdoors… Enjoy strolling among wildflowers, Canada geese, Mallard ducks, muskrats, young anglers and much more! Yes! Anglers are known to catch largemouth bass at May Watts Pond. Go clicking fishing!
Fourth of July Parades / Times of parade kick-offs vary all morning / Be mindful that subdivisions again will host annual Fourth of July Parades. From Brookdale to Brook Crossing to Knoch Knolls to Wil-O-Way, watch for times coming soon! Celebrate the red, white and blue! Watch for Uncle Sam! Cheer for Yankee Doodle Dandy! Click here for local parade info.
Info about 1776 Declaration of Independence / Three years ago PN published a column by Sue Jelinek titled “Three Primary Purposes of the Declaration of Independence.” The link is provided here.
Naperville Fireworks / 9:30PM / Frontier Sports Complex – 3380 Cedar Glade Dr. Naperville, IL 60564 / Naperville will host a free fireworks show in celebration of Independence Day at the Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Dr. Fireworks will begin at 9:30PM on Thursday July 4, 2024. There is no charge for admission or parking. Those attending can watch from a field within the park or from their vehicles. The complex has 906 parking spaces, with an additional 1,000 parking spaces at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St. NOTE! Before the fïreworks begin, the Naperville Municipal Band will perform from 7:30-8:15PM under the Wagner Pavilion at the 95th Street Community Plaza located within Frontier Sports Complex. The Naperville Municipal Band is partnering with the Naperville Park District to celebrate the Fourth of July with performances of patriotic classics such as America the Beautiful and Stars and Stripes Forever.
Friday – July 5
Naperville Salute / 4-10PM / Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville / The Naperville Salute is our Family-Friendly Independence Day Hometown Celebration. Music Lineup: 4PM – This End Up; 6PM – Hello Weekend; 8PM – Burning Red: Tribute to Taylor Swift. The Salute blends community, local entertainment, and family fun. Friday Tickets: $20 ages 13 and up; $15 ages 5-12; kids 4 and under free; Veterans and Military are free. Music lineup and tickets at www.napervillesalute.org.
Saturday – July 6
Naperville Farmers Market / 7AM to Noon / Fifth Avenue Station, 200 East 5th Ave. Open weekly now through the summer season.
Centennial Beach Adult Float / 9AM Sat. & Sun. / Adults-only Float until 10:45AM / Open daily at 11AM for building sandcastles, swimming, volleyball, relaxing under the trees and fond memories. Since 1931, families have found summertime fun at 500 W. Jackson Avenue! Daily Admission / Youth: Resident $8 / Nonresident $14; Adult: Resident $10 / Nonresident $16; After 5PM: Resident $5 / Nonresident $8.
Naperville Salute / 2-10PM / Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville / The Naperville Salute is our Family-Friendly Independence Day Hometown Celebration. Music Lineup: 2PM – Soul 2 the Bone; 4PM – OMT; 6PM – Run Forest Run; 8PM – Underwater People. The Salute blends community, local entertainment, and family fun. Saturday Tickets: $6 ages 13 and up; 12 and under free; Veterans and Military are free. Music lineup and tickets at www.napervillesalute.org.
Sunday – July 7
Naperville Salute Ruck March / Registration begins at 8:30AM and Ruck starts at 10AM / 5-mile Ruck March in support of our Veterans. The cost is $40/pp. Start Location: Riverwalk Grand Pavillion: 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Ct. Naperville, IL 60540. End Location: Rotary Hill Naperville. Join the marchers after the Ruck for food, drinks, music & family entertainment on Rotary Hill. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/the-naperville-salute-ruck-march.
Naperville Salute / Noon-9PM / Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville / The Naperville Salute is our Family-Friendly Independence Day Hometown Celebration. Music Lineup: DJ after Salute Ruck; 2PM – Summer Son; 4PM – Maggie Speaks; 6PM – Smart Mouth. The Salute blends community, local entertainment, and family fun. Sunday Tickets: $6 ages 13 and up; 12 and under free; Veterans and Military are free. Music lineup and tickets at www.napervillesalute.org.
Century Walk Tours Every Day / Around the Clock – Daylight / The recently published 88-page Naperville Century Walk Public Art Guide to more than 50 locations featuring local stories with public art by renown artists is now available at the Naperville Art League Gallery, Naper Settlement, Hotel Indigo and the Naperville Municipal Center. Pick up a free copy today. Then take a self-guided tour.
Every Day… Dine Naperville!
Copies of the July issue of PN are available at more than 25 locations. Thanks to local businesses that provide space for PN racks!
Note the schedule for the 2024 Naperville Municipal Band Summer Concert Series, now through August 15, is available on page 4 of the July publication and also at www.napervilleband.org. All NMB concerts are free of charge. Plan a picnic in Central Park. Let there be music!
Every day… Visit Naperville!
Help keep your surroundings safe. If you see something suspicious, call 9-1-1.
Find more ‘EVENTS’ … Since not everybody is linked to social media, we appreciate all event planners for posting local community events at “EVENTS,” a feature located along the navigation bar at the top of this page. It’s outreach is beyond Naperville. Thank you.
Thanks for reading! Celebrate safely.
