Severe storms swept through the Chicago area on Saturday, July 4, 2026, forcing the cancellation or postponement of numerous Fourth of July fireworks displays across the suburbs.
The national celebration in Washington, D. C.
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also faced heavy delays as thunderstorms prompted a temporary evacuation of the National Mall.
Suburban Cancellations and Delays
According to ABC7 Chicago, multiple municipalities canceled their holiday events due to overnight weather and the ongoing threat of rain.
Cancellations affected scheduled fireworks, parades, and drone entertainment in communities including Naperville, Arlington Heights, Elgin, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Park Forest, Streamwood, and South Holland.
Several other suburbs chose to delay their events.
Huntley, Batavia, Woodridge-Downers Grove, Country Club Hills, and Indiana locations in Lake Station and Valparaiso rescheduled their fireworks displays for Sunday evening.
In contrast, Chicago's downtown Navy Pier proceeded with its traditional fireworks show as scheduled at 10 p. m.
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Saturday.
Washington D.C. Events Resume
In Washington, D. C.
, the Independence Day festivities marking America's 250th birthday were temporarily evacuated due to passing thunderstorms before the National Mall was permitted to reopen later that evening.
"At President Donald J. Trump's direction," stated Freedom 250 officials.
Following the reopening, President Donald Trump took the stage at approximately 11:15 p. m.
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ET to deliver his scheduled remarks, which were immediately followed by the delayed official fireworks display.
