Chicago New Years Eve 2024

Guide to new years eve in Chicago. Navy Pier fireworks, parties, cruises, restaurants & hotels for NYE 2023-2024

Chicago on new years eve, hosts a fantastic fireworks display at the city's famous Navy Pier and across the city the many top bars, restaurants and hotels hold a great range of NYE parties.

The maritime setting of Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan, with the Chicago River running through it means welcoming the new year out on the water is another extremely popular option, with a wide range of cruise events to choose from.

Navy Pier New Year's Eve Fireworks Show

As with most big US cities, Chicago likes to see in the new year with a spectacular fireworks display at midnight. The city's location provides the ideal setting for a fabulous show over the water, with views available from vantage points all along the lake shoreline.

Navy Pier is no stranger to fireworks, they normally host twice-weekly displays here throughout the summer, but the new years eve show is the biggest and most spectacular, with the display also being set to music to enhance the dramatic effect.

There will be a fabulous New Years Eve Gala at AON Grand Ballroom, with live entertanment on the big stage and the display gets underway on the stroke of midnight. Full details once announced here.

Chicago River New Years Eve Fireworks

In addition to the pyrotecnics on offer is the spectacular show centred on the iconic Chicago River. Although it was cancelled for 2022/23 we are hoping to see it return for this new years eve.

The fireworks are normally launched at midnight from several launch sites - river bridge launch sites at Franklin Street, Clark Street and Wabash Avenue and river barge launch sites located at the Hyatt Regency Chicago and the Sheraton Grand Chicago.

There are great viewing spots from all of the participating launch sites, as well as anywhere unobstructed along the river from Wolf Point right along to Navy Pier. You can check here for more updates closer to the time: NYE Blast

Light Up The Lake

Navy Pier's newest addition to the festive calendar will be at Festival Hall and includes an amazing light garden with large scale sculptures, Ice rink, beer garden, kids train ride, Santa's Merry Main Street, gift market and many more family friendly activities, oh and did I mention the Centennial wheel!

You can get the full details and buy tickets online here.

Blue Man Group NYE Performances

The Blue Man group will be seeing in the new year in Chicago with 3 special performances, each one featuring it's own unique midnight countdown!

The shows at the Briar Street Theater are at 4pm, 7pm and 10pm - you can buy tickets online here.

LondonHouse Chicago New Years Eve

A more recent addition to the Chicago cityscape, the LondonHouse Chicago on East Upper Wacker Drive downtown is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, where they have the fantastic LondonHouse Rooftop, a bar across 3 levels offering great views out across the city, Lake Michigan and the river, making this an absolutely perfect spot for watching the fireworks.

The grand new years eve party here includes live music, drinks and dancing, with a selection of private table and VIP options. Once announced for this year, you can book your tickets direct with the venue here.

New Year's Eve Cruises

Taking to the water on new years eve is always a popular option in Chicago, offering an escape from the crowds while you still get to see an uninterrupted views of the city to watch the fireworks. City Cruises host a range of new year cruise that includes dinner, drinks and entertainment.

Reserve your place online here.

New Years Eve Hotels

Chicago's top hotels host a great selection of new years eve parties, with gala dinners and entertainment typically included in accommodation packages to cover all your new year requirement in one place.

Some of the best venues and parties to check out include:

Hilton Chicago New Years Eve Soiree
JW Marriott New Years Eve Party
Drake Hotel Chicago Scene Party
NYE at Hard Rock Hotel

You can make your reservation at these and all of the top Chicago new years eve hotels here.

Watch Live Streaming

With the addition of the new fireworks show, we've added a new live streaming section for all of the top Chicago new years eve celebrations - find out how and where to watch on TV and online here:

Chicago NYE live streaming

Latest NYE News

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