The Fourth of July is fast approaching and there are so many places to celebrate.  Here are just a few of the parades, carnivals, fireworks and other festivities taking place in the area to help celebrate our independence.

Parades, Carnivals and Festivities:

Evanston: Evanston will be starting their Fourth of July celebrations at 9 a.m.  There will be fun at games at nine different parks throughout Evanston.  At 1:15 p.m., a Fun Run will take place down Central Street.  After the Fun Run, the parade will be going down Central Street beginning at 2 p.m.

Morton Grove:  The fun in Morton Grove begins on July 3 with the Morton Grove 3-day festival in the parking lot next to Harrer Park.  There will be a carnival, activities for the kids and great food.  The excitement continues with the Fourth of July parade which takes place on July 4 down Dempster beginning at 2:30 in the afternoon.  The parade finishes in Harrer Park where the 3-day festival will continue.

Niles: The exciting Niles annual Fourth of July parade will be taking place again this year.  It begins at nine in the morning, starting at Notre Dame College Prep and concluding at Grennan Heights Park.  Until 2 p.m., there will be live music, pony rides, games and more!

Skokie: In Skokie, the annual Fourth of July Parade will be running for its 33rd year. The parade begins at noon on Friday, July 4.  The parade route starts at Oakton Community College and continues down Oakton until Oakton Park.  The Skokie parade will take place even if it is raining.

Fireworks and Evening Celebrations:

Morton Grove: After dark, fireworks will begin at Harrer Park.  Since this is next to the Morton Grove festival, it is easy to hear the music play while waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Glenview: At the Glenview Park Golf Club, the Twilight Show will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a concert of patriotic music. Following the performance, fireworks will take place.  The fireworks will be in sync with the patriotic music playing.

Evanston: In Evanston, the Twilight Concert will feature the Palatine Concert Band beginning at 7:30 p.m.  The event will take place on the Clark Street Beach.  Fireworks will follow the show.

Skokie: Niles West High School will be hosting the evening entertainment beginning at 5 p.m.  Prior to the fireworks, there will be musical entertainment which will start at 6 p.m.  As the sun sets and the night becomes darker, 3-D fireworks will take place.

Chicago: There will be fireworks at Navy Pier at 9:30 p.m accompanied by patriotic music.  The fireworks can be seen from Grant Park or from the firework cruises offered in the area.