From lavish balls at luxurious hotels to a historic live broadcast event on the downtown riverfront to unforgettable meals at Michelin-starred restaurants — there are tons of memorable ways to ring in the New Year in Chicago.
Chicago is pulling out all the stops for New Year’s Eve, with highlights including:
- New Year’s Eve on the Chicago River, complete with midnight fireworks.
- The annual lakefront fireworks at Navy Pier, the city’s iconic lakefront attraction.
- Special menus at bucket-list Chicago restaurants — grab your reservations while you can.
- Swanky hotel parties featuring live DJs, confetti countdowns, celebratory toasts, and more.
- Tons of live shows and performances at our many theatres, music venues, and nightlife spots.
Here are just a few of our favorite NYE celebrations this year, including spectacular fireworks displays, award-winning dining options, unique events, and more for New Year’s Eve in Chicago.
NYE in Chicago
New Year’s Eve on the Chicago Riverwalk
Celebrate the start of a new year on the iconic Chicago Riverwalk.
The midnight countdown will conclude with the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Chicago River, lighting up downtown with a show-stopping display from the city’s historic bridges. Check back for NYE 2027 details.
New Year’s Eve fireworks at Navy Pier
The annual New Year’s Eve fireworks at Navy Pier are an iconic Chicago tradition. The jaw-dropping display will light up the sky over Lake Michigan at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31.
The show can be seen along the lakefront, but the best views are from Navy Pier’s official New Year’s Eve parties. Check out these events at Navy Pier where you can watch the fireworks display.
- New Year’s Eve boat cruises: Set sail on an elegant dinner cruise on the lakefront. Enjoy dinner, dancing, DJs, champagne toasts, and a unique view of the Navy Pier fireworks.
- New Year on the Pier at Bar Sol: Guests can enjoy live musicians, top-tier food, and multiple floors of celebrations at this ticketed Navy Pier event.
- New Year’s Event at Lirica: Navy Pier’s waterfront restaurant will host this fireworks viewing party, with an open bar, DJs, and midnight bubbly.
Find hotels near Navy Pier or book a room at the Sable at Navy Pier.
New Year’s Eve boat cruises
Make it an only-in-Chicago New Year’s Eve with an evening boat cruise surrounded by the city skyline. Choose from luxurious dinner cruises with views of the river or a lakefront cruise with the perfect vantage point of the Navy Pier fireworks.
- Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan: Watch the dazzling fireworks light up the Chicago skyline, while enjoying a dinner buffet, live DJ, and dancing.
- Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River: Indulge in a plated multi-course meal and champagne toasts aboard this elegant vessel, offering stunning views of the riverfront fireworks.
- Brunch Cruise on Lake Michigan: Start your day off right on New Year’s Eve with this daytime cruise featuring music, dancing, and a brunch buffet.
New Year’s Eve dinner at Chicago restaurants
Say goodbye to 2025 with an unforgettable meal courtesy of Chicago’s award-winning dining scene. The city’s restaurants are going all out for New Year’s Eve dinner, with special menus, champagne toasts, luxe add-ons, and more.
- Alinea: Celebrate with an immersive, multi‑sensory tasting menu that spotlights unexpected ingredients, tableside theatrics, and a midnight champagne toast.
- Esme: The Michelin-starred restaurant, famous for its artistic platings, is offering an exquisite tasting menu and an optional wine pairing.
- Mirra: In Bucktown, this buzzy fusion spot is offering a four-course tasting menu for New Year’s Eve, featuring their signature South Asian and Mexican flavors.
- Moody Tongue: This Michelin-starred brewery is offering diners two options for New Year’s: a casual meal at The Bar or an elevated ten-course tasting menu in The Dining Room.
- Rose Mary: A family‑style four‑course dinner in Fulton Market brings together the warmth of Italian tradition and the zest of Croatian coastal cooking, with celebrity chef Joe Flamm leading the way.
- Virtue: In Hyde Park, this James Beard Award-winning restaurant will be serving up classic Southern American flavors in dishes like blackened catfish and buttered grits.
Check out our full NYE dining guide for more restaurants in Chicago with New Year’s Eve specials.
New Year’s parties and packages at Chicago hotels
Sip champagne in historic ballrooms, marvel at a midnight confetti drop, and dance the night away to live DJs and bands. And don’t forget to reserve a room for the night for an all-in-one NYE getaway at these Chicago hotels hosting New Year’s Eve soirées.
- Congress Plaza Hotel: The historic Congress Plaza Hotel will host a multi-ballroom all-inclusive New Year’s Eve soiree. Party the night away on multiple dance floors featuring Chicago’s hottest DJs.
- Palmer House: One of the city’s most historic hotels is hosting a glamorous New Year’s bash to be remembered. Head to the elegant ballroom for specialty drinks, an appetizer buffet, chocolates, and more.
- LondonHouse Chicago: Bring in the New Year with a breathtaking view of the midnight fireworks display. Enjoy a live DJ, an open bar, a selection of appetizers, and a photo booth at this stunning rooftop.
- LaSalle Chicago: This downtown boutique hotel is hosting a night filled with music, dancing, premium drinks, and dazzling entertainment.
- The Peninsula: Choose from an elegant gala and dancing in The Lobby, a rooftop party at Z Bar, or a refined dinner at Shanghai Terrace when you celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Peninsula.
- Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk: Book the special NYE package for a bottle of bubbly, late checkout, and a guaranteed view of the midnight fireworks.
Check out more hotels around Chicago.
New Year’s Eve parties in Chicago
Go back in time with a retro-themed evening, sip cocktails in a candlelit bar, dance the night away on a packed dance floor, and so much more. Check out these unique parties and events ringing in the New Year in Chicago.
Check back for 2027 events.
Explore more New Year’s Eve events and parties happening in Chicago.
New Year’s Eve events and shows in Chicago
Whether you’re looking for live sports, theatre, dance, comedy, or music, Chicago is home to exhilarating events, shows, and concerts that will start your new year off on an exciting note. Check out some of the live events happening this New Year’s Eve in Chicago.
Check back for 2027 events.
Explore more New Year’s Eve events and shows happening in Chicago.
