The best 31st Nite party options in our city!
Wondering how you can celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chicago?
Searching for the best events and activities on Saturday, December 31st?
Need some help planning an Instagram-worthy party to welcome 2023?
You’ve come to the right place!
Celebrating New Year’s Eve 2022 in Chicago
With its world-famous skyline and festive atmosphere, the Windy City is the perfect place to ring in the new year.
From fireworks displays to unique, live special events, including kid-friendly options, there are tons of ways you can celebrate December 31st with family, friends, coworkers, and loved ones!
Here are our favorite ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2022 in Chicago with a bang!
The iconic Navy Pier fireworks
Image courtesy Unsplash
If you’re looking for a truly Instagram-worthy New Year’s Eve event, head for the fireworks display at the Navy Pier.
Every year, locals and visitors alike flock to the pier to partake in the festivities and count down to midnight with a bang.
It's one of the hottest tickets in town for New Year's Eve, and for good reason - where else can you catch stunning views of Chicago's skyline while watching colorful fireworks light up the night sky?
Making memories with loved ones at Navy Pier is definitely one of the best ways to celebrate the end of another year and the start of a new one.
What time are the fireworks at Navy Pier on New Year's Eve? At midnight, preceded by the countdown to New Year 2023.
New Year On The Pier: The Aon Grand Ballroom party
Want to view the Navy Pier fireworks but from a luxurious ballroom, enjoying gourmet appetizers? The Aon Grand Ballroom NYE party is where you should be headed!
With stunning views of Lake Michigan and Chicago's famous skyline, this party is the perfect place to celebrate with friends and family.
The festivities include live music, a champagne toast at midnight, and a fireworks display over the water.
And let's not forget about the incredible food options - amazing hors d'oeuvres, carving stations, and a dessert bar to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Check the website for details and tickets.
Website: Visit the Navy Pier website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Phone: (312) 494-2175
The fireworks display along the Chicago River
Image courtesy Unsplash
The city will ring in 2023 with an exceptional fireworks display along the historic riverfront.
This free show will light up a mile-long stretch from Wolf Point all along Lake Shore Drive as it celebrates new year's eve at midnight sharp!
Grab a spot near ground level or higher up overlooking this magnificent event so you can watch as everything comes together right before your eyes...
Where can I watch the Chicago River fireworks? You can watch it from any spot along the Riverfront between Wolf Point and Lake Shore Drive. You can also view the spectacle from near the Navy Pier.
Fireworks cruise and dinner
Enjoy unobstructed views of the spectacular display onboard a cruise in Lake Michigan while enjoying a gourmet dinner, party games, and music.
Escape room mission at Fox in a Box
The second most important countdown on 31st Nite happens here!
Looking for a completely unique way to build up to the New Year Countdown? How about a real-world adventure inside a locked room?
First, gather your team and select your adventure. We have a number of missions for you to choose from, ranging from a Cold War espionage-themed thriller to a chilling escapade through a psychopath’s lair.
Then, you and your team will be led into the game space, that’s been set up with room decor, specially sourced props, and movie-grade special effects to simulate the mission environment.
As the entrance closes behind you, the countdown begins. You and your group will have to work as a team to solve puzzles, break codes and decipher clues to figure out the way forward.
You have 60 minutes to solve the mystery!
As the clock ticks down, can you keep your wits about you and escape the room before you’re out of time?
Is Fox in a Box hard? It all depends on whether you can keep calm in the face of dwindling time, rally your team to work together, and not shirk from asking for help if you’re stuck. For more information, refer to our Q&A on how difficult Fox in a Box rooms are.
Website: Visit the home page
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Email: info@foxinaboxchicago.com
Phone: (312) 878-7899
Bubble Bash at the DuPage Children’s Museum
Our escape rooms are good for teenagers, but young children may not be able to grasp the details of the missions.
Bubble Bash at the DuPage Children’s Museum, on the other hand, is a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event that’s perfect for kids of all ages.
The event will feature a variety of interactive games and activities, as well as live music and entertainment.
From wearable art and bubble wands to confetti and music countdowns - there’ll be something for everyone!
Can you bring food to the Dupage Children's Museum? Yes, but it should be consumed in the café area.
Website: Visit the event webpage
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Email (for the Bubble Bash event): sfallon@dupagechildrensmuseum.org
Phone: (630) 637-8000
Zoo Year’s Eve at Lincoln Park Zoo
Wanna start a new NYE tradition? Here's an idea: Make Lincoln Park Zoo your December 31st haunt!
Lose yourself amidst nature as you celebrate New Year 2023 at Zoo Year’s Eve.
This adults-only event has all sorts of distractions for your senses - from hundreds of dazzling displays and cash bars (beer, wine & champagne) to DJ music keeping you on your feet!
Expect a dance party at the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, plus games galore and giveaways!
Website: Visit the event webpage
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Inquiry form: Visit their contact page
Phone: (312) 742-2000
Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Image courtesy Unsplash
Catching great views of the city decked out in festive glory as you skate gracefully through the ice is certainly a novel way to spend the final hours of 2022. Especially if you’re doing it with a significant someone.
Located in Millennium Park, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink attracts skaters of all ages and experience levels.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a first-timer, if you're looking for something to do on New Year's Eve, the rink is open until midnight so that you can skate your way into January 1st, 2023!
Website: Visit the webpage
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Phone: (312) 742-5222
NYE Bar Crawl in Wrigleyville
Want to spend the final day of 2022 amidst good “cheers” in the company of your closest friends or coworkers? Join the bar crawl at Wrigleyville!
Whether you're looking for a place to drink, dance, or just people-watch, you'll find it all on the crawl.
And with numerous participating bars, many of which have their own signature brews, you're sure to find the perfect spot to toast to the new year.
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Booking: Visit Eventbrite
New Year’s Eve parties at Chicago hotels
Chicago hotels are going all out to bid 2022 a fond farewell in style!
Celebrate with a glass of champagne and live music from famous bands in breathtaking ballrooms.
Enjoy mouthwatering hors-d'œuvres, marvel at balloon drops, and dance till you drop as January 1st, 2023, arrives!
Some of the most famous hotel NYE parties
The Congress Plaza Hotel Party is perhaps the most famous, with an A-list guest list, a food buffet, a midnight balloon drop, and plenty more!
The Drake Hotel Event is a chance to mingle with close to 3000 guests, groove to local DJ music, and ring in the new year with a Champagne Toast.
Gatsby’s Roaring 20’s New Year’s Eve Soiree at JW Marriott Chicago is in a league of its own with live music from Chicago's hottest cover band and top 3 DJs.
New Year’s Eve bash at the Hilton will feature a comedy club show, Kiss FM's hottest DJs, buffet and desserts, and a midnight confetti storm!
NYE Party at the Offshore Rooftop & Bar is five hours of an extravagant celebration of the looming new year, with panoramic views of the city skyline, especially the Navy Pier fireworks!
Other Dec 31st events and parties in Chicago
New Year's Eve 2023 at Howl at the Moon Chicago includes live entertainment till 2 in the morning on January 1st, a dinner buffet, and a champagne toast at midnight.
Sipping a cocktail or two as you watch an actor try to perform Shakespeare after 5 straight drinks at Drunk Shakespeare can be a hilarious way to slip into 2023!
2022 slipping into the rearview mirror will be a distant thought as you battle to hold back the laughter at Standup at Chicago Fight Club.
Bid adieu to 2022 through the lilting tunes of the New Year’s Eve concert at the New Philharmonic.
DeRay Davis’ Funny And Famous Chi Town Comedy Countdown - Featuring DeRay Davis, Chico Bean, Morgan Jay, Donnell Rawlings, and Desi Banks…need I say more?
Questions people ask about celebrating New Year’s Eve in Chicago
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about December 31st parties, events, and celebrations in Chicago.
Where can I watch the NYE fireworks in Chicago? The Navy Pier fireworks can be viewed all along the lakefront. The Chicago River fireworks can be watched at various locations along the river.
You can also book a spot on various NYE cruises or at nearby hotels and restaurants.
What time are the New Years' Eve fireworks in Chicago? At midnight, preceded by the countdown to New Year 2023.
Where does the ball drop in Chicago? One of the most prominent New Year’s Eve balloon drops in Chicago takes place at the Congress Plaza Hotel party.
Some apps and services to help you plan
Spothero is a parking service that’ll connect you with available parking spaces and valet services.
Divvy can hook you up with bikes and docks in real time if you want to bike your way around.
If you’re taking the day off and want to explore the city before the festivities start, check out cityPASS and Go City, which offer deals and priority check-in at various attractions in and around Chicago.
Plan your 31st Nite NOW!
So, what are you waiting for?
Get out there and enjoy all that Chicago has to offer this New Year’s Eve.
From fireworks displays to concerts and dance parties, the city is alive with excitement and celebration.
Do let us know how you plan on celebrating this very special day of the year - tweet/FB it out, tag us (we’re @foxinaboxchicago on FB and @foxinaboxCHI on Twitter), and add in the hashtags #NewYearsEve, #31stNite, and #FiabChicago!
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