After the morning’s Fourth of July Parade, which begins at 10 a.m., Aurora will live up to its City of Lights moniker with a spectacular fireworks display that will light up the night sky over the Fox River at approximately 9:35 p.m. The best viewing will be at RiverEdge Park and McCullough Park, where free family-friendly activities begin at 6 p.m.

McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Avenue, will feature the horns of Pawnshop playing live blues, rock, soul, ska and everything in between, starting at 7 p.m. Carnival rides and giant inflatables for children and tempting treats from a variety of local food vendors will be for sale all evening.

RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway, will feature patriotic music from the American Legion Band, beginning at 6:15 p.m., and the Fox Valley Orchestra, beginning at 7:45 p.m., on the main stage of the Dunham Pavilion, Aurora's premiere outdoor music venue. The traditional community line dancing will commence at 9:15 p.m. with the Cha-Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle and more!

LOOK FOR THE BIG BALLOON

A helium balloon will be flying in the general vicinity of where the fireworks will burst in the air. The balloon will be airborne above the river between McCullough Park and RiverEdge Park. If you cannot see the balloon from where you are sitting at either park, you will not be able to see the fireworks, so please plan accordingly. 

KEEP IN MIND THE RIVEREDGE PARK CONSTRUCTION ZONE

The South end of RiverEdge Park is closed due to construction. Consequently, there is no seating in this area and the bike path between New York Street and the park is also inaccessible.

Because of the construction, extra space has been added to view the fireworks at a special Viewing Area Only section in the Aurora Transportation Center parking lot – located directly across from RiverEdge Park. This area is for pedestrians only. No cars will be allowed in this section. Please bring your own chairs/blankets.

The Aurora Train Station commuter lot will be opening for parking. However, the parking space capacity will be reduced to make room for the new viewing area.

PARK REMOTELY & RIDE A SHUTTLE:

The City of Aurora offers free park-and-ride shuttle service from 6 to 9 p.m. with round-trip ride from convenient locations throughout the city. The shuttles resume service following the fireworks, with the last shuttles departing at 11 p.m. The 2018 shuttle routes are:

GOLD ROUTE (Drop off at City of Aurora Central Garage, 720 N. Broadway)

• Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Trail
• Indian Trail Shopping Plaza, 254 E. Indian Trail

BLUE ROUTE (Drop off at Aurora Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway)

• Belle Salle Banquets, 1920 E. New York St.
• Car Quest/Dunkin Donuts, 3 N. Smith St.
• Main Baptist Church (Overflow Lot), 814 E. Galena Blvd.

ORANGE ROUTE ( Drop off at Aurora Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway)

• St. Athanasius Church, 1855 E. Fifth Ave.
• East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane (back parking lot)

RED ROUTE (Drop off at McCullough Park, 128 W. Illinois Ave.)

• Luigi’s Pizza, 732 N. Prairie St.
• West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York ST.

PINK ROUTE (Drop off at McCullough Park, 128 W. Illinois Ave.)

•  Northgate Shopping Center, 900 N. Lake St.

GREEN ROUTE (Drop off at McCullough Park, 128 W. Illinois Ave.)

• Mercy Center Hospital, 1325 Highland Ave.
• Cermak Grocery Store, 1250 N. Lake St.