Frontier Days Festival and July 4th Parade

Frontier Days is the biggest event on the Arlington Heights calendar — a completely volunteer-run festival celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, having run continuously since 1976. Running July 1 through 5, the festival takes over Recreation Park with carnival rides, free entertainment on three stages, food vendors, a beer garden, the Frontier Days Stampede, a petting zoo, and all the controlled chaos that comes with a proper Fourth of July celebration. It draws people from across the northwest suburbs and well beyond.

The July 4th parade steps off at 10 a.m. from Dunton Avenue and Oakton Street, heading south on Dunton to Miner Street, then east to Recreation Park. It's one of the largest Fourth of July parades in the northwest suburbs — floats, marching bands, veterans' groups, local businesses, and community organizations fill the route while thousands line the sidewalks. After the parade, the festival grounds fill up fast. Evening concerts headline the main stage each night, and the fireworks show on the Fourth draws crowds that spill well beyond the park boundaries.

Admission to the festival grounds is typically free, with individual ride tickets and food/drink purchased separately. Parking around Recreation Park fills up early on peak days, so plan accordingly — the Metra station and downtown side streets offer overflow options, and walking from downtown takes about 10 minutes. For the full schedule, performer lineup, and parade route details, visit frontierdays.org.