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Six Flags Great America is hosting a patriotic drone show accompanied by pyrotechnics Friday and Saturday, July 3-4.

Best bets: Celebrate July 4 with baseball, fireworks and free concerts

Celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary this weekend at Six Flags Great America’s patriotic drone show, the Chicago Dogs’ fireworks display, the Grant Park Music Festival and more.

A worker holds "No Parking" signs prior to posting as trucks fill the loading dock outside New York's Madison Square Garden, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Madison Square Garden is abuzz with eager Swifties ahead of Swift-Kelce wedding

Amanda Powell flew a thousand miles from Little Rock, Arkansas, to the heart of New York City for just one reason: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding. She and two friends came “just to celebrate Taylor's wedding and congratulate her on her big day,” she said.

Showing off his Superman costume, Glen Ellyn resident Jonathan Charbonneau will be the grand marshal of the Glen Ellyn Independence Day parade. Since 1992, he's participated in the parade as the Man of Steel.

‘The right man for the job’: Glen Ellyn’s Superman to lead the Fourth of July parade

Glen Ellyn resident Jonathan Charbonneau, featured in the award-winning documentary short, “Saving Superman,” will serve as the grand marshal for Glen Ellyn’s Independence Day parade.

Celebrity chefs Stephanie Izard, left, and Giada De Laurentiis chat with patrons at the grand opening of Hollywood Casino Aurora on Wednesday, June 24.

Chefs Giada De Laurentiis and Stephanie Izard bring taste of celebrity to Hollywood Casino Aurora

“At the end of the day, people want more than just a plate of great food, they want to be wined and dined, they want to have an experience,” Giada De Laurentiis said of her new restaurant, Sorella by Giada, which recently opened at Hollywood Casino Aurora.

Lauren Alaina will perform Sunday, July 5, at RiverEdge Park in Aurora.

Concerts July 3-9: Lauren Alaina, Louis Tomlinson, Bob Dylan, Windy City Smokeout and more

Upcoming concerts include Lauren Alaina at Aurora’s RiverEdge Park, Louis Tomlinson at Rosemont’s Allstate Arena, Bob Dylan at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Windy City Smokeout at Chicago’s United Center and more.

Mundelein Community Days runs Thursday through Sunday, July 2-5, with rides, music, fireworks, a parade and more.

Things to do July 3-9: Mundelein Community Days, Northwest Fourth-Fest, Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest and more

Mark your calendar for Mundelein Community Days, Frontier Days, Northwest Fourth-Fest, Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest, Rockin’ in the USA Fourth of July Weekend Festival in Rosemont, Taste of Chicago, Itasca Fest and more.

Portillo’s has introduced a new limited-time Char’diniera Dog, a char-grilled beef hot dog infused with giardiniera and provolone cheese.

Dining out: Portillo’s new Char’diniera Dog, $2.50 kids’ scoops at Oberweis

Portillo’s is turning up the heat with a new limited-time Char’diniera Dog infused with giardiniera and provolone cheese. Plus, are you ready for it? July 4 holiday weekend specials are here.