4th of July in Peoria IL 2023
Get ready to celebrate the nation’s birthday by attending the events planned for the Peoria area this year!
The Peoria Park District’s Annual 3rd of July Celebration will take place at Glen Oak Park beginning with $3 admission to the Peoria Zoo all day. Featuring music by the Peoria Municipal Band beginning at 8 pm, the evening ends with the fireworks spectacular at dusk. Food will be available from Wilson’s Concessions, Gramma Nana’s McKinney, Popcorn Heaven, and Kona Ice. Parking is $5 beginning at 2 pm. Admission is free. VIP Packages are available for $20 at the Noble Center in advance which includes free parking and reserved seating for 4.
Celebrate on the 4th with the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s 4th of July Backyard BBQ from 6 – 10 pm. Guests can explore the museum’s galleries including the Body Worlds RX and Heart exhibits, planetarium shows, Giant Screen Theatre movies plus enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet by Cracked Pepper with free lemonade & water. Young’s Popcorn, Tropical Sno and Sucré Sweets and Socials will have treats available for purchase. Admission for the general public is $65 and $40 for ages 3-12, and for PRM members is $55 and $30 for ages 3-12.
If you’d like to see the Peoria fireworks but in a more private setting, there are three great options. One is taking place at East Port Banquet Center in East Peoria for their 4th of July BBQ. Featuring live music by Dexter O’Neal and the Funk Yard, Barrack’s Cater Inn’s BBQ dinner buffet and dessert plus a cash bar. Then watch the fireworks from the private deck on the riverfront (or stay in the air conditioning to watch). Cost is $50 per person. Call 309-692-3990 to make reservations.
And the third more private option will take place at the Peoria Historical Society’s Flanagan House Museum back lawn (942 NE Glen Oak Ave. in Peoria) beginning at 6 pm. Admission is $5 for adults or $2 for children under 12 and tours of the house are $5. Bring your own seating. Popcorn and beverages will be available for for purchase.
And the Boys & Girls Clubs will host their Annual July 4th Family Fun Fest on the Peoria Riverfront in the parking lot across from Kelleher’s on Water Street beginning at 5 pm. Featuring a gated festival area with music, children’s games and events plus an all-you-can-eat food court, soft drinks and water. Beer & wine sales are also available. Packages are $250 and include 2 parking passes for your cars at a nearby lot, 8 admission tickets for a reserved spot to enjoy the fireworks.
The Annual Red, White & Boom fireworks celebration on the Peoria riverfront are choreographed with music to be broadcast on 7 radio stations owned by Midwest Communications scheduled to begin at 9:30 pm.
Surrounding Community 4th of July Fireworks
For those in north Peoria, the Fireworks at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe (located at might be your best bet. Gates open at 4 pm and close at 9 pm with fireworks beginning at 9:15 pm. Admission is free (donations are requested) and there will be concessions and a cash bar plus a DJ and a bounce house. Grills are welcome too. No pets or fireworks are allowed on site. Parking is first-come, first-served, so get there early for a spot with full visibility.
Morton’s Annual Fireworks display will take place on Sunday, July 3rd at McClallen Park at the corner of U.S. Route 150 (East Jackson Street) and Tennessee Avenue on the east side of Morton with gates opening at 4 pm. There will be live music by Cousin Eddy beginning at 5:30 pm. There will also be food vendors, a beer tent, a “Kid’s Zone” with inflatables with the fireworks beginning at dusk. Admission is free. Bring blankets and chairs. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce will host their 2023 4th of July Honor America Celebration at Pekin High School Memorial Stadium with gates opening at 6 pm. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase hosted by the PCHS Booster Club. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, children 5 and under are free.
Other 4th of July Events
The Peoria Jaycees Firecracker 5000 5k mile run/walk will take place on Monday, July 4th beginning at 7:30 pm. The 3.1-mile flat course through downtown Peoria and along the Riverfront with two water stations along the way begins and ends at the former Hooters location. Registration is $35 through June 18 and includes chip timing, a commemorative shirt (while supplies last), and a post-race party with a beer token for racers 21 years and over. For more information and to register, visit https://www.peoriajaycees.com
The West Peoria 4th of July Parade returns for its 50th year starting at the corner of Sterling Ave. and Rohmann Ave. in West Peoria beginning at 10 am.
The Moss Bradley Residents Association will host an event on the 4th on Pettengill-Morron House Museum lawn (1212 W. Moss Ave. in Peoria) from Noon – 2 pm. Featuring the Peoria Pops Orchestra and ice cream. Bring your own seating. Admission is free, however donations are requested.
As always, make sure to check out the ExplorePeoria.com Events Calendar for Peoria area entertainment & events!
