The Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks returns Saturday, July 4, at Deerpath Community Park, 400 Hastings Road, with gates opening at 5 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Tickets for Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents are $30; non-residents pay $35. Children under 5 get in free.

This year's edition marks America's 250th birthday. The Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation, the volunteer-run nonprofit that has produced the festival since 2006, says the event will include additional children's activities and a fireworks show set to music.

Two live acts anchor the evening: opener Fletcher Rockwell, a local Americana-rock group, followed by headliner the Freddy Jones Band, the Chicago-area rock outfit that has been performing for more than three decades. Past festival headliners have included Kenny Loggins, Rick Springfield, and The Village People.

The festival draws about 10,000 attendees annually, according to the foundation's sponsorship materials. All proceeds after expenses support Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department programs. The foundation, a 501(c)(3) established in 2000, has committed more than $1 million to local parks projects.

VIP passes run $150 for adults, $75 for youth 15 and under, and $400 for a family four-pack that includes premier parking. General parking is $20 cash only at the gate; premier parking is $50 online presale only.

The event is rain or shine, and all sales are final. You will unfortunately need to leave the sparklers, grills, pets, and tents at home.

The July 4 festival is part of a four-day Independence Day weekend: the Bites on Bank Food Festival on Thursday, July 2 (5–8 p.m.), the Elawa Farm Dinner on Friday, July 3 (6–9 p.m.), and an Ice Cream Social with the American Legion at Forest Park Beach on Sunday, July 5.

Tickets are available at events.com/r/en_US/registration/2026-lake-forest-festival--fireworks-shields-township-july-1047425.