Geneva Fireworks, Event Guide For 2025

GENEVA, IL — Independence Day falls on a Friday in 2025, kicking off a star-spangled three-day weekend packed with fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun around Geneva.

Patch has rounded up the biggest July 4 fireworks displays and other events happening in Illinois in celebration of Independence Day. Click here to see our full Illinois list.

Geneva does not host its own fireworks show, so here is a look at what's going on in surrounding areas to help you plan for Independence Day.

Aurora

• Fourth of July Fireworks, DJ and Food Trucks, McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., and Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway
• Independence Day Parade, stepping off at Benton Street and Broadway, reviewing stand in front of the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.

Batavia

• Batavia Sky Show and Savor the Flavor Food Vendors To Celebrate Fourth of July, Engstrom Family Park, 326 Millview Drive

Elgin

• July 4 Parade with Pets, Concert and Fireworks, with the parade stepping off near Douglas Avenue and Ann Street; Fireworks, concert and festivities at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave.

Hoffman Estates

• Hoffman Estates Fireworks, 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy.

Naperville

• Naperville Community Fireworks Show 2025, Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Road

Sleepy Hollow

• Fireworks Display Planned For July 6, 2025, At Sabatino Park

St. Charles

• July 4 Fireworks At Langum Park In St. Charles 2025

Wheaton

• Wheaton 4th of July Fireworks, Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Road

History of Independence Day

Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. In that document, the 13 original colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.

Today, Americans celebrate with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.