Spending New Year’s Eve in Chicago and looking for a fun way to celebrate other than the usual dinner and drinks? There are tons of unique things to do in Chicago on New Year’s Eve to ring in the New Year whether you are looking to party all night or enjoy an early celebration and head to bed early.
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Things to Do in Chicago on New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a great time to visit Chicago. There are tons of things to do in Chicago on New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2023) including two fireworks shows, holiday lights, concerts, shows, visiting holiday attractions and more!
Below are the top unique things to do in Chicago on New Year’s Eve both for adults and families.
Watch Fireworks Over the Lake
Ring in the New Year with a free fireworks show at Navy Pier. Find a spot anywhere on the pier to welcome in the New Year with a dazzling fireworks display that will cast glows across the lakefront.
When: Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
Cost: Free.
You don’t have to visit Navy Pier to enjoy the fireworks, you can also see the them from the lakefront and various restaurants.
You can also see fireworks from the water if you join this New Year’s Eve Plated Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan.
Chicago’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular Along the Chicago River
Chicago will have two fireworks shows this year! See fireworks launched from six bridges along the Chicago River at midnight for Chicago’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular. The Chicago River will be closed to boat traffic from Franklin to Columbus from 11:30pm to 12:15am.
When: December 31, 2023 at midnight
Where: Best viewed along the Chicago River from Upper Wacker Drive from McClurg Court to Franklin Street.
Cost: FREE Admission
NYE with ART on THE MART
Art on theMART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, projecting contemporary artwork across the 2.5-acre river-façade of theMART.
Welcome 2024 with a New Year’s Eve spectacular on the Chicago River, featuring a selection of fan favorite projections from ART on THE MART beginning at 7.30pm CT on December 31, followed by a five-minute countdown at 11:55pm CT. At midnight, join for a special New Year’s Eve message designed by Firebelly, the Chicago design studio behind ART on THE MART’s new brand identity.
Where: The Merchandise Mart, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. Spectators can watch the show from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
When: Starts at 7.30pm CT
Cost: Free.
Join a NYE Bar Crawl
Join a New Year’s Eve crawl to visit several bars and clubs around the city.
Crawl ‘Til The Ball Falls: Chicago NYE Bar Crawl from Clark Street Ale House, 742 North Clark Street
Chicago New Years Eve (NYE) Bar Crawl (Lincoln Park + Wicker Park) from Little Olive Lounge, 1540 North Milwaukee Avenue
Celebrate with the Blue Man Group
Looking for unique NYE activity? Enjoy a musical and artistic show (as well as New Year’s celebrations) featuring lots of audience interaction with the blue-painted cast of the Blue Man Group.
There are 4 shows on New Year’s Eve. The 1pm and 4pm performances will feature early “midnight” countdowns after the show, party hats, noisemakers and pre-show face painting. The 7pm performance will have a celebratory champagne toast and party hats. Audiences of the 10pm performance will experience a New Year’s Eve countdown party complete with noisemakers, a midnight champagne toast and performance of “Auld Lang Syne”.
Where: Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
When: Show times are 1:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:00pm & 10:00pm
Cost: Tickets range from $49 to $79 per person.
Chicago Magic Lounge New Year’s Eve Signature Show Celebration
Chicago Magic Lounge is having a special New Year’s Eve celebration event. See close-up magic performed by their house magicians at your cabaret table while enjoying their full-service bar and kitchen. After the Table Magic, there is a 60-minute magic stage show. All ticket holders will receive a souvenir champagne flute and join in a champagne toast.
Where: Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL, 60640
When: Starts at 10:00pm CST
Cost: Ticket prices for this show range from $85 to $120. Guests who purchase Premium tickets for the Front Row, Main Floor Cabaret, or Main Floor Banquette are invited to an exclusive close-up magic performance in The 654 Club, their 43-seat close-up gallery, right after the main stage show. Availability is limited.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo is a cheerful, family-friendly holiday event in the heart of the city. Zoolights features hundreds of luminous LED displays and seasonal experiences, all under the glow of millions of lights. This is a great place for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve with countdowns every hour.
When: Open 4:30–10:00 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL
Cost: $10. Tickets are available for purchase online.
Disney100: The Exhibition
The Disney100: The Exhibition is ending its limited time run in Chicago on New Year’s Eve. See historical and special treasures, works of art, artifacts, costumes, and memorabilia from the Walt Disney Archives. Celebrate the magic of Disney, wonder at more than 250 artifacts and props, see costumes from some of your favorite Disney classics, and explore enchanting galleries that bring the magic of Disney to life. Featuring the latest members of the Disney family (Pixar, Star Wars, and MARVEL) along with renowned classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and recent releases such as Encanto.
Where: Exhibition Hub Art Center Chicago, 2367 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
When: Last entry is 4:00 pm on New Year’s Eve.
Cost: Price varies. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Go Outdoor Ice Skating
There are several places to go outdoor ice skating in Chicago for New Year’s Eve but make sure to reserve in advance!
Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) right in front of the famous Bean sculpture is a fun New Year’s Eve activity. The last ice skating session is last session is 9:00PM-10:30PM. Online ticketed reservations are recommended. Tickets for New Year’s Eve go on sale for the public Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM CST.
Another ice skating rink with great skyline views is the skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park (337 E Randolph St.) located next to Millennium Park. Online reservations for New Year’s will be released at 12:00pm (noon) on Monday, December 4, 2023.
See the City of Chicago Christmas Tree
Check out the official City of Chicago Christmas Tree, a 45-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, at Millennium Park.
When: Millennium Park is open daily from 6am–11pm.
Where: Millennium Park (near the intersection of Michigan Avenue & Washington Street).
Cost: FREE.
See a Show
If you want to do something fun earlier in the evening, there are several shows taking place in Chicago on New Year’s Eve – from Drunk Shakespeare, to plays and comedy shows:
– Drunk Shakespeare (The Lounge At The Lion, 182 North Wabash Avenue)
– Trickery Chicago Magic Show (3453 N Halsted Street)
– Laugh Factory Chicago (3175 N Broadway)
– Steph Tolev at ZANIES Comedy Night Club (1548 N Wells St)
You can search for more shows on New Year’s Eve here.
Go to a Concert
Spend NYE listening to live music. These concerts are taking place in Chicago on New Year’s Eve:
– Umphrey’s McGee – 7PM at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
– Mt. Joy – 8:30 PM at The Salt Shed, 1357 North Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60642
– Gorgon City – 9:00 PM at Radius, 640 West Cermak Road, Chicago, Illinois 60616
– Kangaroo Court – 9:00 PM at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
– Local H with Sybris – 10:00 PM at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St
– Joyce Manor with Smut and Time Thieves – 9:00 PM at Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60608
Last Chance to Visit Christkindlmarket
New Year’s Eve is your last chance to visit Christkindlmarket in 2023 if you haven’t already. The downtown location will already be closed for the season but the Gallagher Way location in Wrigleyville is open until New Year’s Eve. Indulge in various German food and drinks such as hot spiced wine at this authentic German-style outdoor market.
Where: Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
Hours: Open 11 am – 4 pm on New Year’s Eve.
Cost: Admission is FREE.
Winterland at Gallagher Way
In addition to Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville, you can enjoy more family-friendly festivities at Winterland both at Gallagher Way and inside historic Wrigley Field including an outdoor ice rink. Purchase tickets in advance here.
When: Open 11 am – 4 pm on New Year’s Eve
Where: Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier is the largest indoor and outdoor holiday experience in Chicago. In addition to outdoor holiday lights, enjoy outdoor ice skating and axe throwing.
Where: Festival Hall at Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
When: Open 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM on December 31, 2023
Cost: Prices vary. Includes both free and ticketed activities.
Stand on the Ledge at The Skydeck at Willis Tower
The Skydeck, the observatory on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, is a great spot to enjoy skyline views. For the best instagram photos head to The Ledge, glass balconies extending four feet outside the 103rd floor. (Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines).
Where: Willis Tower, 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
Hours: Timed tickets are available until 7:00pm on New Year’s Eve. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.
Tip: If you are visiting a few museums and indoor attractions while in Chicago, consider purchasing a Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save money on entrance fees.
See Holiday Lights
Jump in the car and take a drive to see holiday lights. These holiday light shows and displays in the suburbs are open on New Year’s Eve:
– Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022) – Timed entry tickets available from 4:30 -9:15 pm
– Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532 – Timed entry tickets available from 4:30 – 8 pm
– Winter Lights at Central Park – Oak Brook Park District (1510 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL) – from 4:30-9:30 PM
– Naper Lights in downtown Naperville – 4 – 10 PM
You can find more details and other places to see holiday lights in Chicago and the suburbs here.
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Looking for a fun New Year’s Eve activity with kids? THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is a re-creation of the classic children’s story on board a real train. Passengers are served hot chocolate and a treat by dancing chefs and enjoy a reading of the book by Chris Van Allsburg. Performers engage passengers in caroling and fun holiday activities on the return trip to Union Station. The train ride lasts an hour and passengers are encouraged to wear pajamas. Tickets are on sale now and sell out quickly.
Where: Train leaves and returns from Chicago Union Station at 500 W Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606.
When: Train runs at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6:30pm and 8:25 pm on New Year’s Eve.
Cost: Pricing varies. Visit their website for pricing and to buy tickets.
Early NYE Celebrations and Countdowns for Families
Want to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the kids? Check out these family friendly NYE celebrations:
– New Year’s Eve At Noon Party at Lincoln Park Cultural Center from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
– New Years Eve balloon drop party at Climbzone
– Noon Year’s Eve Celebration! at Bubbles Academy – December 30, 2023 from 11:00am – 12:15pm CST
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago on New Year’s Eve.
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