Chicago · New Year's Eve in Chicago
New Year's Eve in Chicago for Grown-Ups
Chicago sees in the new year twice over: fireworks over the lake at Navy Pier and, in recent years, a televised countdown with fireworks from the bridges along the Chicago River. Both are free. Here's what's confirmed for December 31, 2026, how last year's river party worked, and how to spend the night somewhere warm with a band.
- Navy Pier
- Free 10-minute fireworks show, Thursday, December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- The river
- 2025: free Riverwalk party at Wacker and Franklin, fireworks from the bridges
- Transit
- 2025: free CTA rides 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- Dress code
- Hat, gloves, boots: it's an outdoor night by the lake
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Fireworks at Navy Pier
Navy Pier lists its free New Year's Eve Fireworks for Thursday, December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.: a 10-minute, music-synchronized show over the lake to bring in 2027. The pier says to arrive early for a good spot.
Fireworks on the Chicago River
For New Year's Eve 2025, the City of Chicago, Choose Chicago, ABC7 Chicago and Dick Clark Productions put on a free party along the Chicago Riverwalk, broadcast as part of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Entry to the performance area at Wacker Drive and Franklin Street opened at 5 p.m., an ART on THE MART projection ran from 7 to 9 p.m., the stage shows started at 9, and just before midnight a five-minute fireworks show was launched from the bridges along the river, with THE MART as the countdown backdrop. The city said the best view was from Upper Wacker Drive between McClurg Court and Franklin Street. The city's 2026 plans are not yet published; last year's details came out in mid-December.
Getting around on the night
Leave the car at the hotel. Last year the CTA ran free rides from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on New Year's Eve, and the city closed the LaSalle, Clark, Dearborn, Wabash and Columbus bridges from 11:30 p.m. until about 12:30 a.m. for the river fireworks. Check transitchicago.com for the 2026 arrangements.
A grown-up New Year's Eve instead
If a crowd on the riverbank isn't your idea of a party, book a table and some music. Andy's Jazz Club in River North pairs dinner with a set; the Green Mill in Uptown has had jazz since the Capone era; Buddy Guy's Legends in the South Loop is the blues room; and Cindy's looks over Millennium Park from 13 floors up. For a big dinner, Gibsons on Rush Street is the classic steakhouse. Ask each one about its New Year's Eve plans and prices when they're announced, and book early.
Andy's Jazz Club
11 E. Hubbard St, River North
A jazz club since 1951 with dinner and several sets a night. Reservations are required and good for one show; the room clears between sets.
The Green Mill
Broadway, Uptown
The legendary jazz lounge (Al Capone's booth is still there), with live music seven nights a week. Cash only, no reservations, and a serious listening room.
Tip: Arrive by 7:30 p.m. on weekends to get a booth.
Buddy Guy's Legends
700 S. Wabash Ave, South Loop
The blues club Buddy Guy opened in 1989, with Cajun and soul food and live blues most nights. Buddy himself traditionally plays a run of shows each January.
Cindy's
Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S. Michigan Ave
A 13th-floor glass-atrium restaurant and terrace looking over Millennium Park and the lake. Fire pits in winter, open-air seats in summer.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
1028 N. Rush St, Gold Coast
A Rush Street steakhouse since 1989 with white-jacketed servers, a busy bar and giant desserts. Noisy, clubby and very Chicago.
New Year's Day
Have a late breakfast, then walk off the night at ZooLights, which runs at Lincoln Park Zoo until January 3, 2027. Our Christmas in Chicago guide has the times and prices, and things to do in Chicago on a rainy day has the indoor plan if it's bitter out.
Lincoln Park Zoo and ZooLights
2001 N. Clark St, Lincoln Park
Heads-up: ZooLights runs November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 only.
A free zoo in Lincoln Park, open 365 days a year (gates at 8 a.m.). In winter it hosts ZooLights: November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, 4:30 to 9 p.m., with advance tickets from $7 to $12 depending on the date, $20 on the day, and free Mondays except December 21 and 28.
Tip: ZooLights is closed on Thanksgiving, December 24 and 25, and on Tuesdays December 1, 8 and 15.
Our advice
- Pick one: Navy Pier for the lake show at 11:59 p.m., or the river for the televised countdown. You won't get between them at midnight.
- Dress for wind off the lake and stand-around cold: hat, gloves and proper boots.
- Book New Year's Eve dinner or a jazz set as soon as the venue posts it.
- Check current hours, event dates and prices before you go.
Sources, checked October 2, 2026: Navy Pier's New Year's Eve Fireworks event page (2026) and the City of Chicago's December 17, 2025 New Year's Eve media advisory (the 2025 river party, CTA and bridge details). Confirm the 2026 plans on chicago.gov/NYE and navypier.org before you go.
Before you go: what to book
Of the 6 places on this page, 3 need booking ahead and 1 are walk-in.
- Andy's Jazz Club: buy tickets (11 E. Hubbard St, River North)
- Buddy Guy's Legends: buy tickets (700 S. Wabash Ave, South Loop)
- Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse: reserve a table (1028 N. Rush St, Gold Coast)
Worth knowing: Andy's Jazz Club, 21 and over; Lincoln Park Zoo and ZooLights, ZooLights runs November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 only.
No booking needed: The Green Mill.
Questions people ask
Is there a New Year's Eve event in Chicago in 2026?
Yes. Navy Pier lists free New Year's Eve fireworks for Thursday, December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., a 10-minute show over the lake. The city's 2026 plans for the Chicago River are not yet published.
Where do you watch the New Year's Eve fireworks in Chicago?
At Navy Pier for the lakefront show at 11:59 p.m., or along the Chicago River. In 2025 the city said the river fireworks were best seen from Upper Wacker Drive between McClurg Court and Franklin Street.
Is the CTA free on New Year's Eve?
It was in 2025: free rides from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Check transitchicago.com for 2026.
What is a grown-up way to spend New Year's Eve in Chicago?
Book dinner and a set at Andy's Jazz Club, or a booth at the Green Mill, then step out for the midnight fireworks if you want them. Check each venue's New Year's Eve plans when they're announced.