Naperville families can fill the entire Fourth of July without spending a dime on admission. Naper Settlement's America 250 celebration is free for residents, and the evening fireworks show costs nothing for anyone.

Naper Settlement, the 13-acre outdoor history museum at 523 S. Webster St., opens its grounds on Saturday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a special America 250 Semiquincentennial celebration. The holiday programming is included with general admission, and Naperville residents with proof of residency get in free.

The museum's 31 historic buildings, some dating to the 1830s, will be open for exploration alongside hands-on activities and the interactive exhibit "We the People: Naperville and the American Story," which connects local history to the nation's 250-year arc. The exhibit runs through December 2026.

Families looking for a challenge can book the National Treasure Escape Room (Family Edition), where teams solve puzzles and hunt for clues across the full campus. Sessions run at 10:30 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m. and cost $15 per person. Pre-registration is required.

Admission: $12 adults (13+), $10 seniors (62+), $9 veterans, $8 youth (4–12). Free for Naperville residents with proof of residency, children under 4, and members. The museum also hosts Sensory Friendly Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m., with a calmer atmosphere and sensory stations for families who need it, included with admission.

After the museum: live music and fireworks

The Naperville Municipal Band performs at 7:30 p.m. under the Wagner Pavilion at 95th Street Community Plaza, next to 95th Street Library. According to Positively Naperville, it's the band's third year performing at that pavilion for Independence Day.

Then at 9:30 p.m., the annual Naperville Community Fireworks Show launches from Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive. The Naperville Park District and City of Naperville co-host the show, presented by Woody Buick GMC. Admission and parking are free. Attendees can watch from inside the park or from their vehicles, with 906 spaces at Frontier and another 1,000 at adjacent Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St.

Parking maps will be posted at naperville.il.us/eventinfo before the show.

Next Week in Naperville

Thursday, July 2

  • Craft by Beer: America 250 History on Tap Trivia | 7–9 p.m. | Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. | $20 per person (21+), pre-registration required. Test your American history knowledge over craft beer on the museum grounds.

Saturday, July 4

  • America 250 Celebration at Naper Settlement | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | 523 S. Webster St. | Included with admission (free for Naperville residents). Historic buildings, exhibits, hands-on activities, and the "We the People" exhibit.
  • National Treasure Escape Room (Family Edition) | 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. | Naper Settlement | $15 per person, pre-registration required.
  • Naperville Municipal Band | 7:30 p.m. | Wagner Pavilion, 95th Street Community Plaza (next to 95th Street Library) | Free.
  • Naperville Community Fireworks Show | 9:30 p.m. | Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Dr. | Free admission and parking.

Coming up: Saturday, August 8

  • USA 250 Hometown Picnic | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Naper Settlement | Historic demonstrations, lawn games, exhibits, and food. Included with admission.