There’s nothing quite like celebrating Independence Day on Milwaukee’s North Shore. From hometown parades and family festivals to lakeside fireworks and community traditions, each of our seven communities offers its own unique way to celebrate America’s birthday.
Whether you’re looking for a classic Fourth of July parade, an afternoon cookout, or an unforgettable fireworks display, here’s your guide to celebrating across the North Shore!
🇺🇸 Glendale
North Shore’s Largest Fourth of July Celebration
Glendale is home to one of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in the area at beautiful Kletzsch Park. They will have a Parade Extravaganza, a Food Truck Festival, live music, bouncy houses, dunk tank, Face Painting, Henna Tattoos and the famed summer soak. They welcome everyone…from all communities… to join the celebration of our nation’s birthday at this free, family-friendly event.
Parade Extravaganza … 10:00 am
Starting at City Hall and running through to Kletzsch Park, ending shortly before the park playground. The Kid’s Parade kicks off the fun, where all and any kids are welcome to join, decorate their kids, scooters, etc. Kids should meet in the parking loop of Parkway Elementary School if they wish to join the fun. The Main Parade to follow at 10:30 am along Milwaukee River Parkway.
The 4th Celebration… 4:30pm
The festivities at Kletzsch Park continue the day of celebrations, with Food Trucks, Bouncy Houses, Dunk Tank, Henna, and Face Painting.
Summer Soak … 5:00 pm
- We hope it is clear all day, though it will rain for about 30 minutes courtesy of the North Shore Fire Department.
Mayor’s Welcome … 5:45 pm
- Including Glendale Boy Scouts Troop 393 color guard, and a thank you to our volunteers and sponsors.
Live Music from “The Cheap Shots”… 6 pm to 9 pm
Grand Fireworks Display … Dusk
Learn more at https://www.glendale4thofjuly.com/
Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and the whole family to enjoy an afternoon and evening full of patriotic fun along the Milwaukee River.
🎆 Brown Deer
Community Celebration at Village Park
Brown Deer offers an all-day celebration perfect for families looking to enjoy a relaxed hometown Fourth. Held at the Village Park and Pond, 4920 W. Green Brook Dr, Brown Deer, WI 53223.
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: The Village Park pond is open for swimming.
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Food trucks serve local favorites.
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM: The traditional corn roast.
4:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Cash-only Bingo at Park Shelter One.
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Children’s activities.
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Live music performance by The King Fish Band.
8:30 PM: The community raffle winners are announced.
9:15 PM: Fireworks show begins over the pond
Village Park becomes the heart of the community as neighbors gather to celebrate together before ending the evening with a spectacular fireworks show. Learn more here
🚲 Bayside
A Charming Neighborhood Tradition
Bayside celebrates with a family-focused community parade that captures the small-town spirit of the holiday.The annual 4th of July Parade and Celebrations will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2026, starting at 9am.
The parade is like no other because YOU get to be the one in it! Join your neighbors, the Bayside Police Department, and more while you parade through Village streets.
Parade Details:
- Please begin gathering at Village Hall at 8:45am.
- The parade will start at 9am at Village Hall.
- Participants will then walk east on Ellsworth Lane, south on Rexleigh Drive, north on King Road, and east on Ellsworth Lane to end at Ellsworth Park.
Make sure you stick around after the parade for more celebrations! Once at Ellsworth Park, there will be sweet treats, and we will hold the annual Best Decorated Bike and Most Patriotic Dog contests.
While Bayside does not host a fireworks display, it’s the perfect way to begin your Independence Day before heading to nearby Glendale, Shorewood, or Whitefish Bay for evening fireworks.
🚴 Fox Point
A Family Favorite
Fox Point’s Fourth of July festivities are centered around family traditions and community fun. The Village of Fox Point hosts an annual 4th of July celebration featuring a community bike decorating contest, a festive parade, and an ice cream social
8:30 AM: Bike decorating takes place outside the Fox Point Police Department (7200 N Santa Monica Blvd).
9:00 AM: The parade begins, featuring a vintage fire truck and community members making their way through the village.
Following the Parade: An Ice Cream Social is held at the Longacre Pavilion (7325 N Longacre Rd) and runs until roughly 10:30 AM
Fox Point does not host evening fireworks, making it easy to enjoy the morning festivities before exploring another North Shore celebration later in the day.
🌳 River Hills
Celebrate Nearby
River Hills does not host an official Fourth of July celebration, but its central location makes it easy to experience nearby festivities in Glendale, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Bayside, or Brown Deer. Spend the morning exploring the area’s beautiful parks and scenic roads before joining one of the neighboring community celebrations.
🎇 Whitefish Bay
A Beloved Fourth of July Tradition
Whitefish Bay hosts one of the North Shore’s most popular Independence Day celebrations, combining a classic parade with a full afternoon of entertainment at Klode Park
The Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation kicks off the 4th of July festivities on Silver Spring Drive. The parade starts at 11:30 am at the corner of Kent and Silver Spring Dr and heads east to Lake Drive then north to Klode Park. Following the parade, join friends, family, and neighbors at Klode Park for an afternoon of food, kid’s activities, and live music. The fireworks display starts at 9:20 pm.
Event Highlights
- Parade begins at 11:30 a.m.
- Food and beverages
- Kids’ games
- Live music
- Fireworks over Lake Michigan at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The parade travels down Silver Spring Drive before ending at scenic Klode Park, where festivities continue throughout the afternoon and evening.
🌊 Shorewood
Celebrate Along the Lakefront
Few places offer a more picturesque Fourth of July than Shorewood. The fun starts at 3:00 pm for the Fourth of July parade, featuring the Gentlemen of Shorewood as Grand Marshals. And then gather again at dusk for a spectacular fireworks show at Atwater Park.
Spend the afternoon enjoying Shorewood’s walkable neighborhoods before heading to Atwater Park for one of the area’s most beautiful fireworks displays overlooking Lake Michigan. Learn more here.
Make It a North Shore Fourth of July
One of the best parts about celebrating on Milwaukee’s North Shore is how close everything is. You can start your morning at the Bayside or Fox Point parades, enjoy lunch in Glendale or Brown Deer, spend the afternoon in Whitefish Bay, and finish the evening watching fireworks over Lake Michigan in Shorewood—or stay in Glendale for one of southeastern Wisconsin’s largest community celebrations.
No matter which community you choose, you’ll find welcoming neighborhoods, local businesses, family-friendly events, and plenty of patriotic spirit.
We encourage everyone to arrive early, support our local restaurants and shops, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and celebrate safely.
Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Discover the North Shore of Milwaukee! 🇺🇸
