Planning to celebrate Chicago’s New Year’s 2026? There are endless ways to celebrate the holiday for all ages in the big Windy City. Whether you’re looking for fireworks displays, family-friendly activities, or parties to dance the night away, there’s something for everyone.
Below are the top Chicago New Year’s events and attractions that are worth ringing in with your loved ones.
Explore Six Chicago New Year’s 2026 Attractions & Events for All Ages: A Travel Guide
Ready to experience Chicago’s New Year’s 2026? Here are the top six things to do with public transit directions.
1. Attend One of the Many Navy Pier NYE Events
Source: Navy Pier
Whether you’re familiar with Navy Pier or not, it’s a top waterfront destination and a Chicago landmark for locals and visitors alike, especially during New Year’s. They not only have a free, annual, award-winning fireworks in Chicago, but they also have several NYE events happening at the same time for all ages.
Navy Pier’s NYE events include:
•Fireworks Show: A spectacular 15-minute fireworks display along Lake Michigan with music.
•Bar Sol Celebration: A multi-floor lakefront bar with fireworks views, live musicians, and DJs with booths and tables available.
•Aon Grand Ballroom: An iconic venue with the largest dance floor in Chicago, live music, DJs, and a 70-foot balloon drop on the grand stage.
•Centennial Wheel: An almost 200-foot iconic Ferris wheel with soaring views of fireworks, Chicago skyscrapers, and Lake Michigan along the Pier Park with other rides and games.
•Winter Wonderfest: An indoor holiday festival running from December to early January with ice skating, thrilling rides, and magical decorations.
Navy Pier is located at 600 E. Grand Ave, with several public transit routes, including water taxis, bike shares, and two onsite parking garages. The Millennium Metra station is around a 20-minute walk via the Metra Electric (ME) and South Shore Line (SSL) Lines.
You can also transfer to CTA Bus #124 to take you directly to the pier, with five bus lines to Navy Pier daily.
2. See Fireworks for Free on the Chicago River
Source: City of Chicago
The Chicago River is another destination where you can see waterfront fireworks for free on New Year’s Eve. Hosted by the City of Chicago, they launch larger-than-life fireworks from six bridges along the river.
What makes this year’s event even more special is that ABC-7’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” is hosting a Central Time zone countdown in Chicago for the first time in its 50-plus year history! It’ll be nationally livestreamed with live musical performances, on-the-ground updates throughout the city, and views of the fireworks display on the iconic Chicago River bridges.
The Chicago River has multiple entrances and public transit stations. The Millennium Metra station is less than a 10-minute walk via the Orange and Red Lines to the main entrance. The Wacker (Upper) & Michigan bus stop is also a two-minute walk to the main entrance via Buses 134, 135, and 136.
3. Go on a Fireworks Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan
Source: City Cruises
Want to avoid the crowds for Chicago New Year’s 2026? Set sail on a luxury dinner cruise along Lake Michigan with panoramic views of a fireworks display and the Chicago skyline for 2.5 hours. It also makes stops to see Chicago’s famous landmarks, including the Adler Planetarium and the newly redesigned Willis Tower.
The yachts have climate-controlled indoor and open-air seating with a chef-prepared buffet meal, specialty cocktails, live DJ entertainment, and a dance floor.
Pricing starts at $142 and is free for children under two years old, which includes:
•Freshly prepared entrees, salads, and desserts
•Unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and water
•Guaranteed table for your party size
Hosted by City Cruises, they’re located on 600 E Grand Ave on the Navy Pier. You can take water taxis, bike shares, or park at their two onsite parking garages. The Millennium Metra station is about a 20-minute walk via the ME and SSL Lines, or you can transfer to CTA Bus #124 to take you directly to the pier.
4. Take the Kids to the Noon Party at Lincoln Park Cultural Center
Source: Public Building Commission of Chicago
Searching for family-friendly Chicago NYE events? The Noon Party at Lincoln Park Cultural Center is perfect for young ones who can’t stay up late. Ran by the Chicago Park District in Lincoln Park, it’s a festive party from 10:30 am with a countdown to noon. Kids can enjoy music, dancing, crafts, a balloon drop, and party favors. The Noon Party is only five dollars, with an additional fee for the hot chocolate bar to warm up.
The Lincoln Park Cultural Center is located at 2045 N Lincoln Park W. The closest public transit station is the Stockton & Dickens bus stop via Bus 151 and 156, which is a two-minute walk. The Armitage train station is also around a 20-minute walk via the Brown and Purple Lines.
5. Count Down on a Rooftop Bar
There are so many NYE bars in Chicago where you can count down with friends from the rooftop. While the city is known for its cold weather during this time of year, it’s winter-proofed so you can still enjoy the views of fireworks and illuminated skyscrapers.
Some of the best rooftop bars to celebrate the holiday include:
Offshore Rooftop
Source: Offshore Rooftop
Offshore Rooftop is the largest rooftop bar and glass snow globe in the world. It has a 20,000-square-foot terrace with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. For Chicago NYE, they offer a four-hour premium open bar, appetizers, a live DJ, a champagne toast at midnight, and more for $175 to $225.
They’re located at the very end of Navy Pier at 1000 E Grand Ave. The Millennium Metra station is a 20-minute walk via the ME and SSL Lines, or you can transfer to CTA Bus #124 for a direct entrance.
Kennedy Rooftop
Source: Kennedy Rooftop
Kennedy Rooftop is a rooftop bar on top of the Hyatt Place Chicago/Wicker Park with illuminating igloos, stunning skyline views, specialty cocktails, and delicious food. Reservations are recommended during NYE.
They’re located at 1551 W North Ave, Ashland, in the Wicker Park neighborhood. The Clybourn train station is a 10-minute walk via the Union Pacific-North (UP-N) and the Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) Lines. The North Ave & Ashland bus stop is also a one-minute walk via Bus 72.
Château Carbide
Source: Château Carbide
Château Carbide is a rooftop lounge and bar at the Pendy Chicago hotel. They have cozy fireplaces, faux fur amenities, intimate seating, and seasonal small bites and cocktails. Reservations are required, which include a $75 food and beverage credit for 1.5 hours with seating up to six guests. Hotel guests also get early reservation slots.
They’re located in the Loop neighborhood at 230 N Michigan Ave on the 24th floor. The Michigan & South Water bus stop is across the street with 11 bus routes available, including Bus 3, 4, 66, and 850. The State/Lake train station is also a five-minute walk with five routes available, including the Brown, Green, and Orange Lines.
6. Grab a Romantic NYE Dinner at Local Award-Winning Restaurants
Searching for a romantic New Year’s dinner in Chicago? The city has several locally owned and award-winning restaurants to take your loved one for a more intimate experience.
Some of the best Chicago restaurants to grab dinner during NYE are:
Duck Sel
Source: Parade
Enjoy a fine-dining 15-course meal from a James Beard semifinalist and Michelin-starred chef, Donald Young, at Duck Sel. It’s a pop-up series from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with dishes like dry-aged duck with concord grape and black sesame puree, raw langoustine with periwinkle-colored eggs and fuchsia flower petals, and Japanese-inspired street food. Pre-paid reservations are required, ranging from $300 to $350 per person. The location is emailed to you 24 to 48 hours before the event.
Indienne
Source: Indienne
Looking for award-winning vegetarian and vegan restaurants for Chicago’s NYE? Indienne is a Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant at a renovated 19th-century printing warehouse with high ceilings and beautifully aged wooden pillars.
They serve progressive Indian cuisine, featuring a seven-course tasting menu and optional wine pairings with a complimentary champagne toast. Indienne offers vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and non-vegetarian options for all dietary needs. Enjoy delicious dishes like jackfruit katsu, paneer kofta, seabass curry, lamb kebab, and more.
Reservations are required for parties up to six, costing $190 and $110 for the optional wine pairing. Party sizes between seven and 12 guests can also contact the restaurant for possible accommodations.
Indienne is located at 217 W Huron St in the River North neighborhood. The Chicago train station is a short two-minute walk via the Brown and Purple Lines.
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants
Source: Sushi by Scratch Restaurants
Craving award-winning sushi for your New Year’s dinner in Chicago? Then add Sushi by Scratch Restaurants to your itinerary. They’re a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, serving a 17-course omakase-inspired tasting menu with exclusive add-ons for New Year’s only. Their seafood is shipped from Tokyo’s world-famous Toyosu Fish Market with unique flavors.
From premium nigiri with sweet corn “pudding” to sake-marinated nori with crispy onions and matcha bons bons, you’re sure to impress your loved one and taste buds. The omakase experience is $185 per person with a $25 deposit required. The champagne and caviar NYE experience is $345 per guest. Both culinary experiences are available for parties up to 10.
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants is located at 415 N Milwaukee Ave in the Fulton River district. The Grand train station is a four-minute walk via the CTA Blue Line.
Kick Off the New Year With a New Chicago Apartment Home
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Ready to make your move this New Year’s?
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