The mainstage Chicago event for New Year’s Eve has, for the past several years, been the downtown fireworks — this year to be shared with the nation via the cameras for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” But there’s lots more going on for the big night.
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”
For the first time, “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” hosted by Ryan Seacrest, will broadcast live from Chicago at midnight for the Central Time zone countdown. Chance the Rapper will host and perform, and at the stroke of midnight, fireworks will launch from bridges along the Riverwalk. Shemekia Copeland, J. Ivy, DJ Mike P and DJ Mike Dunn will also appear, and, from 7-9 p.m., Art on the Mart will offer a special audio-visual projection. The main stage will be located at Wacker Drive and Franklin Street.
The night’s broadcast will air live on ABC, headquartered as usual in Times Square in New York City, with plenty of cutaways to Chicago promised for the evening. The telecast will also visit Las Vegas and Puerto Rico.
7 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31 on the Chicago Riverwalk, Wacker Drive between Wells and Lake streets; details on the free event at chicago.gov. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest” will begin airing at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 on ABC, streaming the following day on Hulu, and also broadcasting live on KISS FM Chicago radio.
Chicago’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
The gathering along the Chicago Riverwalk and the lakefront are free and open to the public. Fireworks will launch at midnight from bridges between Orleans and Columbus Streets along the Riverwalk, as well as from Navy Pier, with the best vantage point from Upper Wacker Drive.
How to enter: Opening at 5 p.m., event entrances are located on Wacker Drive at the corner of Wells and Lake Streets. All participants will be subject to bag checks and are permitted bags sized 12”x6”x12” or smaller. Gates will close once the event reaches capacity.
Take public transportation: CTA trains and buses will be free from 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, until 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1. Or discounted pre-purchase parking is available at Millennium Garages.
Bridge and road closures: Wacker Drive from Lake to Wells and Orleans Street bridge will be closed beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Franklin from Lake Street to Wacker will close on Monday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. Additional street closures will go into effect on the following bridges on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 11:30 p.m.: Dearborn Street Bridge; Clark Street Bridge; LaSalle Street Bridge; Wabash Street Bridge; Columbus Drive Bridge.
Final Toast at The Promontory
For the last time, raise a glass to The Promontory, the beloved Hyde Park venue that opened a little more than a decade ago. Say farewell with several DJs and special guests as well as an open bar and party favors. At midnight, expect a balloon drop and a champagne toast.
8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West; tickets (ages 21+) from $61.74 at promontorychicago.com
New Year’s Eve on Navy Pier
Want to see the Navy Pier midnight fireworks up close? Sure, you can stand outside. But you could also attend one of the Pier’s parties. The Aon Grand Ballroom claims the largest dance floor in the city—big enough to host 3,000 revelers dressed to impress. Expect live music, DJs and a balloon drop before watching fireworks through the ballroom’s windows. Can’t get into the Ballroom? Try Bar Sol. Beyond its lakefront views, Bar Sol’s New Year on the Pier will feature live DJs and various packages for food and drinks.
Grand Chicago New Year’s Eve will be 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31 in the Aon Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier, 840 E. Grand Ave.; details at navypier.org. New Year on the Pier will be 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. at Bar Sol, 700 E. Grand Ave.; tickets from $99 at navypierevents.greencurtainevents.com
STS9: Year Infinity
Livetronica fans: Sound Tribe Sector 9 plays a three-night stand at Ramova Theatre. Dance 2025 away and into the cosmos with STS9’s ethereal grooves. The band plays three sets on New Year’s Eve. Earlier shows will feature parkbreezy and Thought Process.
Dec. 29-31 at Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.; tickets from $63 at tixr.com
Gimme Gimme Disco
You can dance, you can jive. / Having the time of your life. Hey, Dancing Queens, head to The Salt Shed to boogie into the New Year as DJs spin ABBA, Bee Gees, Donna Summer and more disco hits. Dress like it’s 1977.
9 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; tickets (ages 17+) from $58.25 at saltshedchicago.com
Fountains of Wayne NYE
Following on their 4th of July Summerfest concert in Milwaukee — one of the first since founding member Adam Schlesinger died of complications from COVID-19 in 2020 — Fountains of Wayne play the Vic Theatre for a New Year’s Eve show. Stacy’s Mom apparently still has got it going on. Fig Dish and Child Seat open.
9 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.; tickets (ages 18+) $59.34 at jamusa.com
Dehd’s Bye Bye ’25 NYE Run
Chicago’s own Dehd play out 2025 at Thalia Hall. The indie-rock trio — Emily Kempf, Jason Balla and Eric McGrady — will play songs from their fifth album, “Poetry,” and more. Sharp Pins opens.
10 p.m. Dec. 31 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets (ages 17+) from $46.39 at ticketweb.com
Heart of Chicago Soul Club NYE Dance Party
This dance party is set to an all-vinyl soundtrack. Groove to rare soul, psych, disco and more. And who wouldn’t want to be cozy inside the Hideout when the champagne pops?
8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.; tickets (ages 21+) from $20 at hideoutchicago.com
NYE with Helado Negro
Given how surreal 2025 was, maybe your New Year’s Eve soundtrack calls for some dreamy avant-pop? Roberto Carlos Lange, aka Helado Negro, presides over the music at Punch House. Featured on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series, Helado Negro just released “The Last Sound on Earth.”
9 p.m. Dec. 31 at Punch House, 1227 W. 18th St.; tickets (ages 21+) free to $434.23 at ticketweb.com
The Great Gatsby Prohibition New Year’s Eve Party
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past … er, um … or maybe into 2026 instead. If you want to party like it’s 1922, head to Morgan Manufacturing for DJs, drinks, dessert, party favors and more. Various packages available.
9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31 at Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St.; tickets from $89 at gatsbynewyearsparty.com
“Phantom of the Opera”
The new national tour of Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless musical is now at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in the Loop for a holiday run that Tribune critic Chris Jones calls “a true rarity these days among touring productions” in his four-star review. Jordan Lee Gilbert does a great Christine.
1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.; tickets from $85 at broadwayinchicago.com
Phantom on the Roof
Celebrate 27 stories into the Chicago sky at Roof on theWit. This year’s party theme is “Phantom on the Roof” — head there after the Cadillac Palace. Expect a masquerade complete with DJs and dancing, cocktails and, of course, champagne.
9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at Roof on theWit, 201 N. State St., 27th Floor; tickets from $60 at roofonthewit.com
Hawkins Snow Ball NYE Celebration
“Stranger Things” fans know the series finale drops on New Year’s. Celebrate with fellow superfans at Replay Lincoln Park’s Hawkins Snow Ball ’84. Dance to ’80s hits, drink themed cocktails, eat pizza and toast 2026 with champagne, a balloon drop and favors. No demigorgons, please.
9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at Replay Lincoln Park, 2833 N. Sheffield Ave.; tickets $50 at replaylincolnpark.com
IMHO’s New Year’s Eve Party
Pop the bubbly with Darby Lynn Cartwright and Alexis P. Bevels, stars of the “IMHO” (“In My Homosexual Opinion”) podcast and YouTube series. The drag show promises singing, “dancing sort of I mean not really, comedy, trauma, and videos that YouTube called ‘not appropriate!’”
9:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; tickets (2-item minimum) from $30 at thedentheatre.com
Bambi Banks-Couleé performing at Roscoe’s Tavern with the “Black Girl Magic” cast. (Natalie Wade / Chicago Tribune)
Celestial Soirée: New Year’s Eve
Ariel Zetina, DJ Heather, DJ Brenda, and Harry Cross top the lineup at Metro. Presented by smartbar and Queen, Bambi Banks and local drag queens host.
9 p.m. Dec. 31 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St.; tickets (ages 21+) from $40 at metrochicago.com
Stars & Garters New Year’s Eve Spectacular Spectacular!
Relatively new to the scene and inspired by a 1908 burlesque theater downtown, Stars & Garters lays it all out for its New Year’s Eve show. Expect a burlesque striptease, tarot-card readings, magic, comedy, a jazz trio, DJs — plus a live sloth.
8 p.m. Dec. 31 at Stars & Garters, 3914 N. Clark St.; tickets $80 at starsandgartersclub.com
New Year’s Rockabilly Eve
The cast of “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” will perform classic rock ‘n’ roll, including “Great Balls of Fire,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve.” Book the earlier performance if you’d prefer to get home in time to watch the countdown from the comfort of your couch. Or, consider a package that includes dinner and a hotel room.
5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire; tickets from $75 at marriotttheatre.com
New Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Concert
You’ve got three chances to ring in the new year with classical pops. Music director and conductor Kirk Muspratt will lead the New Philharmonic in a program featuring waltzes by Johann Strauss and champagne. Soprano Alisa Jordheim will perform.
1:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn; tickets from $77.50 at atthemac.org
Mr. Dave’s Baby Rave
Parents too sleep-deprived to party, take note: Rave with your kids at Lincoln Hall 12 hours before the New Year drops. Mr. Dave and DJ Matt Roan offer a 75-minute dance party complete with glow sticks, “trippy” visuals, and a countdown to noon. Recommended for kids up to age 6. Don’t forget ear protection.
Noon, Dec. 31 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.; tickets from $24.30 (1 year and under free) at lh-st.com