Added service for Taste of Chicago, Fireworks on July 3 and 4, 2009
In observance of Independence Day, courts, public offices, and most businesses will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2009. As a result, CTA services will operate on a Sunday schedule, with added service in the evening for downtown fireworks.
On Saturday, July 4, 2009, service will operate on a Saturday schedule with added service in the evening for downtown fireworks.
Service overview
On both nights, fireworks displays on the lakefront will start at approximately 9:00 pm. After the fireworks have ended, Grant Park will be closed to allow for cleanup and preparation for the next day’s activities.
To accommodate those who are attending the Taste of Chicago Fireworks Night (July 3) and Independence Day fireworks (July 4) in Grant Park and at Navy Pier, extra service will be provided on many bus and ‘L’ routes on both days.
- Longer trains will operate on all ‘L’ routes, all day.
- Additional service going into downtown will be provided, starting around 1:00 pm on July 3.
- Additional service leaving downtown will be provided after the fireworks end both nights.
- Late-evening service on the Purple and Yellow Lines from Howard.
No weekday- or rush period-only routes will operate on either day. For ‘L’ service between Howard and downtown, use the Red Line.
Important tips
- Fill up your farecard in advance of your trip. You can avoid lines at vending machines after the fireworks and get home faster! Up to seven people can share a single pay-per-use Transit Card or Chicago Card (note that people sharing a card must all begin their trip at the same location and time).
- Bicycles will not be allowed on trains at any time on July 3 or 4. Bicycles continue to be allowed on all CTA buses, using front-mounted bicycle racks.
- All strollers and carts must be folded on CTA buses and trains on July 3 and 4.
See also:
‘L’ train stations nearest Grant Park
'L' train stations nearest Navy Pier
Details: Fri, July 3 service
Because of the national observance of Independence Day on Friday, July 3, CTA will operate on a Sunday schedule. However, we will be running longer trains and add extra service to accommodate trips to and from the Taste of Chicago and Grant Park for Fireworks night.
Improved and added services:
- Longer trains will operate on the Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Lines.
- More frequent service will operate on the Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Lines (thru 1:30 am from Loop).
- Purple and Yellow Line trains will operate until 2:00 am from Howard.
- Extra buses will operate to downtown during the day and from downtown, until at least midnight (or later, as needed), after the fireworks on the following routes.
Please be aware that buses on these routes may be affected by downtown street closures before and after event. See alerts on each route's page (linked below) for details before you travel:
Remember: No weekday or rush-only services will be operating on July 3—only buses and trains that operate on Sundays. For service to/from Skokie, Evanston and Wilmette, transfer at Howard between Red, Purple and Yellow Lines.
Where to board buses after July 3 fireworks
Due to Loop street closures that follow the fireworks, buses will be rerouted. After the July 3 fireworks, board buses near Grant Park in these designated locations.
You can also download a helpful flyer to print and take with you, of each of these maps, with other important information:
July 3rd Post-Fireworks Service: Downtown Area (9pm-11pm) (.pdf)
July 3rd Post-Fireworks Service: South Loop Area (9pm-11pm) (.pdf)
July 3rd Post-Fireworks Service: Navy Pier Area (9pm-11pm) (.pdf)
Loop Map & Boarding Locations (July 3 only, 9pm-11pm)
| Bus Route |
Direction |
Loop Bus Stop(s) |
| 3 King Drive |
South to 95th/King Drive |
(J) Clark at Van Buren |
| 4 Cottage Grove |
South to 95th/Cottage Grove |
(J) Clark at Van Buren |
| 6 Jackson Park Express |
South to 79th/South Shore |
(H) Clark at Jackson |
| 14 Jeffery Express |
South to 103rd/Stony Island |
(H) Clark at Jackson |
| 20 Madison |
West to Madison/Austin |
(C) Madison at Clark |
| 22 Clark |
North to Howard station |
(D) LaSalle at Madison |
| 29 State |
South to 95th/Dan Ryan station |
(G) Clark at Adams |
| 36 Broadway |
North to Clark/Devon |
(D) LaSalle at Madison |
| 56 Milwaukee |
North to Jefferson Park station |
(B) Madison at LaSalle |
| 60 Blue Island/26th |
West to Cicero/24th Place |
(A) Madison at Franklin |
| 62 Archer |
South to Archer/Harlem |
(G) Clark at Adams |
| 126 Jackson |
West to Jackson/Austin |
(F) Adams at LaSalle |
| 146 Inner Drv./Mich. Exp. |
North to Berwyn station |
(E) LaSalle at Monroe |
| 147 Outer Drive Express |
North to Howard station |
(E) LaSalle at Monroe |
| 151 Sheridan |
North to Clark/Devon |
(D) LaSalle at Madison |
South Loop Map & Boarding Locations (July 3 only, 9pm-11pm)
| Bus Route |
Direction |
South Loop Bus Stop(s) |
| 3 King Drive |
South to 95th/King Drive |
(B) Roosevelt at State |
| 4 Cottage Grove |
South to 95th/Cottage Grove |
(B) Roosevelt at State |
| 6 Jackson Park Express |
South to 79th/South Shore |
(B) Roosevelt at State |
| 12 Roosevelt |
West to Central/Harrison |
(A) Roosevelt at Clark |
| 14 Jeffery Express |
South to 103rd/Stony Island |
(B) Roosevelt at State |
| 29 State |
South to 95th/Dan Ryan station |
(C) State at Roosevelt |
| 62 Archer |
South to Archer/Harlem |
(C) State at Roosevelt |
| 146 Inner Drv./Mich. Exp. |
North to Berwyn station |
(C) State at Roosevelt |
Navy Pier Map & Boarding Locations (July 3 only, 9pm-11pm)
| Bus Route |
Direction |
Destinations/Connections |
Bus Stop |
| 29 State |
South to 95th/Dan Ryan |
Loop; Green, Orange, Pink, Brown 'L' lines; Metra Millennium, Van Buren, LaSalle stations |
(D) |
| 65 Grand |
West to Grand/Nordica |
North Michigan Avenue; Red, Blue 'L' lines |
(B) |
| 66 Chicago |
West to Chicago/Austin |
North Michigan Avenue; Red, Blue, Brown 'L' lines |
(A) |
| 124 Navy Pier |
West to Union, Ogilvie stations |
Metra Ogilvie and Union Stations |
(C) |
Details: Sat, July 4 service
Service on Saturday, July 4, will operate on a normal Saturday schedule. We’ll also be running longer trains and extra service on this day, to accommodate trips to the Taste of Chicago and July 4th Fireworks.
Improved and added services:
- Longer trains will operate on the Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Lines.
- More frequent service will operate on the Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Lines (during regular Saturday service hours).
- Yellow Line trains will operate until 12:00 midnight from Howard.
- Purple Line trains will operate until 2:00 am from Howard (normal Saturday service).
- Extra buses will operate to downtown during the day and from downtown, until at least midnight (or later, as needed), after the fireworks on these routes:
After the fireworks, board buses in their normal locations downtown.
Remember: No weekday or rush-only services will be operating on July 4—only buses and trains that operate on Saturdays. For service to/from Skokie, Evanston and Wilmette, transfer at Howard between Red, Purple and Yellow Lines.
Travel information
Get step-by-step directions for your trip to the fireworks online, or call the RTA Travel Information Center at 836-7000 from any local area code.