The Best Place to Watch Fireworks in the US? It’s Navy Pier, Chicago – Here’s Why You’ll Love It

If you’re planning your next trip across the pond and fancy squeezing a proper firework extravaganza into your itinerary, look no further than Chicago’s Navy Pier. That’s not just our opinion either — it’s official. For the third year running, Navy Pier has taken the top spot in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards as the best place in the entire United States to watch fireworks. Yes, better than New York. We said it.

It’s Not Just Good — It’s Number One

The Americans take their fireworks seriously — like, hotdog-eating-contest, bald-eagle-soaring, Lee-Greenwood-playing seriously. So when their public decides something is the best, you pay attention. A panel of travel experts nominated a shortlist of top firework spots, and the public voted Navy Pier into first place for a reason: it's got the lot.

Just for context, here’s how the leaderboard shaped up:

1. Navy Pier – Chicago, Illinois

2. Ford Fireworks – Detroit, Michigan

3. Addison Kaboom Town! – Texas (bonus points for the name)

4. Concert in the Sky – Kansas

5. Let Freedom Sing! – Nashville
   ...and a few others, including the usual suspects like Macy’s in New York.

But Navy Pier still came out on top — and if you're wondering why, it’s not hard to see.

Weekly Fireworks with Skyline Views? Don’t Mind If We Do

Here’s the magic of Navy Pier: it doesn’t just pull out the big guns once a year. Nope. It lights up the sky twice a week during the summer — every Wednesday at 9pm and every Saturday at 10pm — with a proper show over Lake Michigan. That means you don’t need to be there on the Fourth of July (though, let’s be honest, that would be a pretty unforgettable experience). They also chuck in a bonus display on New Year’s Eve for good measure.

And the setting? Iconic. Chicago’s skyline lights up behind the bursts, Lake Michigan sparkles below, and the sound of fireworks bounces off the city in the most satisfying way. You can catch the display from the pier itself, or mix it up and watch from a boat cruise, hotel rooftop, or even from Maggie Daley Park or the Lakefront Trail if you like your sparkle with a side of fresh air.

A Bit of History with Your Kaboom

The tradition of fireworks on the Fourth of July goes back nearly 250 years. The Americans love a celebration and let’s face it, they do scale very well — especially when it involves blowing things up in a perfectly choreographed, multi-coloured display of patriotism.

While the US tends to go big for their Independence Day, places like Navy Pier have turned fireworks into a whole summer lifestyle. Which is great for us Brits popping over during holiday season — you don’t need to align your trip with one particular day. Just rock up on a Wednesday or Saturday evening, grab a bag of Garrett popcorn (Chicagoans are weirdly proud of this sweet-savoury combo), and enjoy the show.

Worth Planning a Trip Around

Let’s be honest: most of us wouldn’t plan a whole holiday around fireworks — unless you’re reading this firework blog, in which case you might just be our kind of people. But Navy Pier makes it worth the effort. It’s fireworks on holiday mode. It’s the kind of thing you do one evening while ticking off deep-dish pizza, the Bean, and a boat tour that tells you which skyscraper was built by who and when.

So if you’re heading stateside and want to throw in a bit of sparkle without the stress, pencil in Chicago. It’s got the food, the views, and fireworks that are officially the best in the business.

Put on Your Own Epic Firework Display

If watching that lot gets you in the mood to recreate the magic back home — we've got you covered.

Here at Epic Fireworks, we stock the UK’s biggest and best selection of consumer fireworks — from garden fountains to thumping multi-shot barrages and full display kits. Plus, if you're new to the firework game, our ready-made display packs are ideal for taking the guesswork out of building your own show.

Not sure what you need? With decades of experience under our belts we can help you to choose the right fireworks to deliver your vision within your budget.

Shop our full range of fireworks today