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Chicago New Year's Eve route inspiration

Chicago New Year's Eve

River fireworks, steakhouses, a lakefront Jan 1

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3 days through The Loop & Chicago River, Lincoln Park.

Chicago New Year's Eve is a 3-day curated route with 2 destinations and 15 places to eat, see, and do. Preview stops and timing, then plan it in TripsCircle.

  1. 1
    The Loop & Chicago River on the Chicago New Year's Eve route

    Destination 01

    The Loop & Chicago River

    9 places

    Fireworks over the river and the lake; 2 nights within walking distance of Wacker Drive.

    • Chicago River NYE Fireworks near The Loop & Chicago RiverPhoto: Monk - Ihar Mahaniok · CC BY-SA 3.0

      Chicago River NYE Fireworks

      The city's free midnight show, fired from the river bridges between Orleans Street and Columbus Drive; held in 2024 and 2025.

      Tip Best views are on Upper Wacker Drive between McClurg Court and Franklin Street; arrive by 11 pm.

      SeeThe LoopFree1.5 hr11 pm – 12:15 am

    • Art on the Mart

      Large-scale projections across the Merchandise Mart's river facade; on Dec 31 it becomes the countdown clock for the fireworks.

      Tip Watch from the Riverwalk or the Wells Street side of Wacker Drive for a straight-on view.

      SeeRiver NorthFree30 minFrom 10 pm on Dec 31
    • Navy Pier New Year's Eve Fireworks near The Loop & Chicago RiverPhoto: edward stojakovic · CC BY 2.0

      Navy Pier New Year's Eve Fireworks

      Free midnight fireworks over Lake Michigan, visible from inside and outside along the mile-long pier; held in 2024 and 2025.

      Tip The east end gets crowded early; Milton Lee Olive Park just north of the pier has a quieter lakefront view.

      SeeStreetervilleFree60 minMidnight
    • Chicago Riverwalk near The Loop & Chicago RiverPhoto: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0

      Chicago Riverwalk

      A 1.25-mile promenade along the main branch of the river, lined with cafes, boat docks and the city's architecture.

      Tip On NYE it closes to the public at 11 pm except for ticketed parties; walk it on Dec 30 or the afternoon of the 31st instead.

      DoThe LoopFree60 minDusk

    • Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

      Gold Coast steakhouse open since 1989, known for huge cuts, martinis and a packed bar on big nights.

      Tip NYE tables go fast; the bar does not take reservations if you are willing to wait.

      EatGold Coast$$$$2 hrEarly seating on Dec 31

    • Shaw's Crab House

      River North seafood house since 1984, with an oyster bar and a formal dining room for crab legs and lobster.

      Tip The oyster bar side is easier to get into the night before NYE.

      EatRiver North$$$2 hrDec 30 dinner

    • Chicago Cut Steakhouse

      Steakhouse on the river at LaSalle Street, with window tables looking across the water to the Loop towers.

      Tip Ask for a window table; it is a short walk to the Wacker Drive viewing area after dinner.

      EatRiver North$$$$2 hrEvening

    • Cindy's

      Rooftop bar atop the Chicago Athletic Association with views over Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.

      Tip NYE is ticketed; on a normal night go just before sunset for the park and lake views.

      DrinkThe Loop$$$1.5 hrSunset

    • The Langham, Chicago

      Luxury hotel in Mies van der Rohe's AMA Plaza tower, right on the river beside the Wabash Avenue bridge.

      Tip River-facing rooms look straight onto the bridge fireworks.

      StayRiver North$$$$
  2. 2
    Lincoln Park on the Chicago New Year's Eve route

    Destination 02

    Lincoln Park

    6 places

    Free zoo, glasshouse and lakefront for a slow Jan 1.

    • R.J. Grunts

      Burger-and-brunch spot across from the zoo, open since 1971 as the first Lettuce Entertain You restaurant.

      Tip Check holiday hours; it is a natural first stop before the zoo.

      EatLincoln Park$$60 minLate morning
    • Lincoln Park Zoo near Lincoln ParkPhoto: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0

      Lincoln Park Zoo

      Free zoo open every day of the year, with lions, gorillas and polar bears a few minutes from the lake.

      Tip ZooLights typically runs into the first days of January; check dates if you want the evening light show.

      DoLincoln ParkFree2 hrMidday
    • Lincoln Park Conservatory near Lincoln ParkPhoto: Ben Schumin · CC BY-SA 2.0

      Lincoln Park Conservatory

      Free 1890s glasshouse full of palms, ferns and orchids; warm and green on a grey January day.

      Tip Holiday hours vary; confirm Jan 1 opening before you walk over.

      SeeLincoln ParkFree45 minAfternoon
    • North Avenue Beach near Lincoln ParkPhoto: Bohao Zhao · CC BY 3.0

      North Avenue Beach

      Lakefront beach and pier on the Lakefront Trail with one of the best views back to the Gold Coast skyline.

      Tip Walk out on the curved pier at the south end for the skyline; wind chill is much stronger by the water.

      OutdoorsLincoln ParkFree45 minLate afternoon

    • Alinea

      Grant Achatz's tasting-menu restaurant on Halsted Street, open since 2005 and a once-a-year kind of NYE dinner.

      Tip Tickets are sold in advance online; NYE seatings are released months ahead.

      EatLincoln Park$$$$3.5 hrDec 31

    • Kingston Mines

      Blues club on Halsted Street since 1968, with two stages and bands playing until the early hours.

      Tip NYE is ticketed; on Dec 30 a cover at the door gets you two stages of live blues.

      DrinkLincoln Park$$2.5 hrAfter 10 pm

The moments that shape this trip.

Planning Chicago New Year's Eve.

Spend Dec 30 getting your bearings on the Chicago Riverwalk and over a long dinner at Shaw's Crab House or Chicago Cut. On Dec 31 book an early steak at Gibsons, then head to Upper Wacker Drive, where the city's free midnight show fires from the river bridges and the Art on the Mart projection turns into a countdown on the Merchandise Mart. Navy Pier runs its own midnight fireworks over Lake Michigan if you would rather watch from the lakefront. Jan 1 is for Lincoln Park: a slow brunch at R.J. Grunts, the free Lincoln Park Zoo and conservatory, and a cold walk along North Avenue Beach for the skyline. Save one late night for the blues at Kingston Mines.

Good for Couples and groups who want big free fireworks, classic steakhouses and a cold lakefront walk to start the year.

When to go

Arrive Dec 30 and leave Jan 1 or 2. The city's riverfront celebration ran in 2024 and 2025: Art on the Mart programming typically starts around 10 pm, a countdown appears on the Merchandise Mart just before midnight, and fireworks launch from the bridges between Orleans Street and Columbus Drive for about five minutes. Navy Pier's free show also fires at midnight (about 15 minutes in 2024, about 10 in 2025). Both are free; Riverwalk parties, rooftop bars and hotel packages are ticketed and sell out by mid-December. Expect highs near freezing, wind off the lake and possible snow. On Jan 1 many restaurants open late or close and some museums keep holiday hours; Lincoln Park Zoo is open.

Getting around

Take the L or walk: CTA has offered free rides from 10 pm on New Year's Eve in recent years (2024), but check the year's announcement. Wacker Drive between Lake and Wells closes on Dec 31 and the river bridges close to traffic from about 11:30 pm to 12:30 am, so do not plan to drive downtown. Rideshare surges right after midnight; walk a few blocks north or west before calling one. Navy Pier is a 20-minute walk from Michigan Avenue or a ride on the #29 or #65 bus. Lincoln Park is 10 minutes by the #151 bus or the Brown Line to Armitage.

Tips for your crew

  • For the river show, stake out Upper Wacker Drive between McClurg Court and Franklin Street by 11 pm; the Riverwalk itself closes to the public at 11 pm.
  • Book NYE dinner reservations in November and choose an early seating so you can be on Wacker by 11 pm.
  • Dress for wind chill: hand warmers, a hat and waterproof boots make the hour on the riverbank bearable.

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