Residents who missed the fireworks at Gillson Park on July 3 will get their sky show after all, just two months later and a few blocks south.

The Wilmette Block Party returns for its fifth anniversary on Saturday, August 29, running noon to 10 p.m. at Central and Wilmette avenues in downtown Wilmette. The free, all-ages event is organized by the Wilmette Park District in partnership with the Village of Wilmette and the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce. Last year's edition drew 22 sponsors, raised nearly $47,000, and brought thousands to the business district near the Metra station, according to the village's event page.

Admission is free.

The headline addition for 2026 is Wilmette's first synchronized drone show, replacing the annual July 3 fireworks canceled by storms. JP McNamara, the Wilmette Park District's marketing and communications manager, told The Record North Shore on July 20 that rescheduling the fireworks would have required "extensive" staffing, public safety coordination, entertainment, and traffic management. The fireworks provider, Mad Bomber Fireworks, gave the village a credit after the cancellation. Mad Bomber partners with Chicago Drone Light Shows, and the credit offset the drone show's cost, meaning the new attraction stays within the original fireworks budget.

Ten food vendors are confirmed, including Fat Shallot, Forza Meats, Happy Lobster, Patisserie Coralie, Pit and Tap, and Pizza by Sal. Three bands take the main stage: Hoopla at 3 p.m., Second Hand News at 5:30 p.m., and Final Say at 8 p.m.

Kids programming includes the Jesse White Tumblers at 2:30 p.m., a Foam Zone from noon to 2 p.m., and a Jump Zone with inflatables and a trackless train running 2 to 7 p.m. A 32-booth Kids Zone operates noon to 4 p.m., sponsored by local businesses, nonprofits, schools, and civic organizations including the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber, Wilmette Public Library, and Wilmette Fire Department.

The event debuted in 2022 as part of Wilmette's sesquicentennial celebration and has grown each year since. The 2026 platinum sponsor is Heil & Heil Insurance Agency, with emerald-level backing from Canning & Canning, F.J. Kerrigan Plumbing Co., and J. Blanton Plumbing. North Shore Community Bank and Wilmette Market Food, Wine and Spirits are among the silver sponsors.

Volunteers are still needed. Sign-ups are open through the Wilmette Park District website at wilmettepark.org.