4th on 53rd Parade and Free Festival on Friday, July 4, 2025

Amy Srodon

Hyde Park’s summer tradition – the 4th on 53rd Parade and Festival – is back on Friday, July 4, 2025, kicking off at 11 a.m. from the Hyde Park Bank parking lot.

First organized by a group of Hyde Park residents and business owners in 1992; the event has grown to become the city’s largest July 4th parade with approximately 5,000 participants and attendees; including many state, county, and city elected officials.

The parade begins promptly at 11 a.m. with the sound of a fire truck’s siren. 4th on 53rd has been called the parade where “everyone marches,” as much of the community is involved. It features floats sponsored by local businesses, over 75 community groups, two marching bands, and a “bike brigade” – with over 100 kids and families decorating bikes, strollers, and wagons that set off down the 1.3-mile parade route.

The parade features floats sponsored by local businesses – photo from the 2022 parade.
Many local community groups march in the parade – photo from the 2022 parade.
The marching bands from local high schools are a big favorite – photo from the 2022 parade.
Hyde Park kids enjoy decorating their bikes, scooters, and wagons to join in the fun – photo from the 2022 parade.
Elected officials, including U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, participate in the parade – photo from the 2022 parade.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, MARCH & DONATE

The parade and festival need volunteers for various tasks, so please consider signing up here. Families, groups, businesses, and organizations are all invited to march, and may register here. Donations of any amount are much appreciated, whether you would like to make a personal donation or contribute with a corporate sponsorship.

Volunteers are needed to staff the parade and festival – photo from the 2022 festival.

FESTIVAL

After the parade, everyone is invited to participate in free activities at Nichols Park. Kids enjoy old-fashioned lawn games (with prizes for all!), two free bounce houses, a petting zoo, and a magician. The community stage showcases local youth group music and dance performances, cheerleading, and martial arts demonstrations.

The post-parade festival includes a magician to entertain families – photo from the 2022 festival.
Don’t miss the two bouncy houses – photo from the 2022 festival.
Kids enjoy the old-fashioned lawn games – photo from the 2022 festival.
Face-painting artistry underway – photo from the 2022 festival.
The festival includes musical acts – photo from the 2022 festival.

SPONSORS

This year, the 4th on 53rd Parade is excited to welcome back previous sponsors as well as many new sponsors. Major sponsors include Downtown Hyde Park/SSA #61, Xfinity, Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, Harper Court Arts Council, Hyatt Place Hotel, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, SOPHY Hotel, Superman, Hyde Park Bank, University of Chicago Commercial Real Estate Operations, Airbnb, BMO Bank, Kimbark Plaza Merchants Association, Raja Krishnamoorthi (U.S. Congressman), Toni Preckwinkle (Cook County Board President), Small Cheval, UChicago Office of Civic Engagement, Bally’s Chicago, Marian Realty, Montgomery Place, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

For the full list of sponsors, click HERE.