New Year’s Eve Events in Chicago

The best things to do in Chicago on New Year’s Eve start with the free fireworks show at Navy Pier, which lights up the lakefront at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2026. Before midnight, you can count down early at Lincoln Park ZooLights, take the family to Winter WonderFest, or see the city from 103 floors up during Holidays @ Skydeck, which runs through January 4, 2027. Many of the season’s holiday attractions stay open into the new year, so New Year’s Day has plenty to do, too.

New Year’s Eve in Chicago at a Glance

Where to Watch New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Chicago

Navy Pier New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Navy Pier welcomes 2027 with a free fireworks show at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2026. The 10-minute, award-winning display is synchronized to music and lights up the lakefront as the clock strikes midnight. Navy Pier recommends arriving early to grab a good viewing spot. The show can be seen from along the lakefront, and restaurants and venues at the pier typically host ticketed viewing parties. Get details from Navy Pier’s New Year’s Eve fireworks page, and see more about visiting Navy Pier.

New Year’s Eve on the Chicago Riverwalk

Last New Year’s Eve, Chicago hosted its first local edition of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on the Riverwalk. The free event required no tickets, with entry opening at 5 p.m. along Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Lake Street. The night featured an ART on THE MART projection, live music, and a drone show before fireworks launched at midnight from bridges between Orleans Street and Columbus Drive. Big screens along Wacker Drive showed the performances and fireworks, the city recommended Upper Wacker Drive for the best views, and guests passed through security checkpoints with a small bag limit. Details for 2026 have not been announced yet, so watch chicago.gov closer to the holiday.

If the celebration returns to Wacker Drive, Skydeck at Willis Tower is a short walk south, so you can take in the skyline from 103 floors up earlier in the day and stay downtown for the evening’s festivities.

Things to Do on New Year’s Eve in Chicago

Chicago’s NYE events range from family-friendly countdowns to late-night parties. Here are five ways to celebrate in 2026.

1. See the City From 103 Floors Up With Holidays @ Skydeck

Skydeck Chicago is open on New Year’s Eve, and Holidays @ Skydeck runs through January 4, 2027, filling the observation deck and lower-level Chicago Museum with twinkling lights, festive décor, and holiday photo ops. Take in the skyline from Chicago’s highest observation deck, step onto The Ledge, and look back on the year from 1,353 feet above the city before your New Year’s Eve plans begin. Check Skydeck’s hours before your visit.

2. Count Down Early at ZooLights

Lincoln Park ZooLights hosts New Year’s Eve with family-friendly hourly countdowns, so kids can celebrate the new year without staying up until midnight. ZooLights runs from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Get dates and tickets for Lincoln Park ZooLights.

3. Spend the Day at Winter WonderFest

Wintrust Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, with rides, festive décor, and indoor ice skating included with admission. Tickets are $27 when purchased online at least 24 hours ahead. Pair it with the midnight fireworks for a full day at the pier.

4. Catch the Last Day of Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville

Christkindlmarket’s Wrigleyville market at Gallagher Way stays open through December 31, making New Year’s Eve your last chance to visit this season.

5. Celebrate at a Party, Dinner, or Show

For a grown-up night out, Chicago’s hotels and rooftop bars host New Year’s Eve parties across downtown, and many restaurants offer special New Year’s Eve menus. Theaters, music venues, and comedy clubs also host New Year’s Eve shows, and cruises on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan range from evening dinner cruises to daytime brunch sailings. Events and prices change every year, so book early for the most popular spots.

Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve in Chicago

Families can make a full day of New Year’s Eve without waiting up for midnight. Start with Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, which is open until 5 p.m. on December 31, see the city’s holiday décor during Holidays @ Skydeck, and end the night with an early countdown at ZooLights. Older kids who want to see the midnight fireworks can watch the free show at Navy Pier. In past years, the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier has hosted a Noon Year’s Eve celebration for younger kids, and the Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon has offered skating sessions on New Year’s Eve, so check both for 2026 plans.

Things to Do in Chicago on New Year’s Day

Many of Chicago’s holiday attractions stay open into the first days of 2027, so New Year’s Day is a great time to catch what you missed:

• Holidays @ Skydeck: Start the year with skyline views while the holiday décor is still up, through January 4.
• Winter WonderFest: Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on New Year’s Day, through January 3.
• Holiday light shows: Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden runs through January 3, and Illumination at The Morton Arboretum runs through January 2. See more Christmas lights in Chicago.
• New Year’s ReZoolutions: On January 2, from 2 to 4 p.m., Lincoln Park Zoo offers yoga, sound meditation, and early access to ZooLights.

Staying longer? Explore more things to do in Chicago in winter, from Chicago Restaurant Week to the Chicago Auto Show.

Tips for New Year’s Eve in Chicago

• Dress for the cold: Late-December highs in Chicago average near 33°F, with lows around 21°F, and wind off Lake Michigan can make it feel colder near the fireworks.
• Arrive early: Navy Pier recommends getting there early for a good view of the midnight fireworks.
• Plan your ride home: Map out transit or rideshare plans before you head out for the night. Last year, CTA trains and buses were free from 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day, so check whether free rides return for 2026.
• Book ahead: Reserve tickets for timed attractions and parties early in December.

Start Your New Year 103 Floors Up

Holidays @ Skydeck brings the season to the top of Willis Tower through January 4, 2027, with holiday décor, photo ops, The Ledge, and the Chicago Museum all part of your visit. It’s a memorable way to see the city on New Year’s Eve or to kick off 2027. Visiting earlier in the season? Plan ahead with tips for visiting Chicago in December and winter date ideas in Chicago. Buy your Skydeck tickets in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Year’s Eve in Chicago

Where are the fireworks in Chicago on New Year’s Eve?

Navy Pier hosts a free, 10-minute New Year’s Eve fireworks show at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2026, synchronized to music over the lakefront.

Is the Chicago New Year’s Eve fireworks show free?

Yes. The 2026 Navy Pier New Year’s Eve fireworks show is free. Last year, the Chicago Riverwalk countdown and river fireworks were also free with no tickets required, and details for 2026 have not been announced yet.

Is Skydeck open on New Year’s Eve?

Yes. Skydeck Chicago is open on New Year’s Eve, and Holidays @ Skydeck runs through January 4, 2027. Check Skydeck’s hours before your visit.

What are family-friendly things to do on New Year’s Eve in Chicago?

Family-friendly options include hourly countdowns at ZooLights, Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier until 5 p.m., Holidays @ Skydeck, and the free midnight fireworks at Navy Pier.

What is there to do in Chicago on New Year’s Day?

On New Year’s Day, you can visit Holidays @ Skydeck, Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and Illumination at The Morton Arboretum, all of which stay open into early January.

When does Holidays @ Skydeck end?

Holidays @ Skydeck runs through January 4, 2027, so you can still see the holiday décor and photo ops at Skydeck after New Year’s Day.