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Sight River North, The Loop & Chicago River

Art on the Mart

A sight in River North, The Loop & Chicago River, free to visit and worth about 30 minutes. Best time to go: From 10 pm on Dec 31.

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Why go

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

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in The Loop & Chicago River, alongside 3 places to eat, 2 sights and 1 activity. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Chicago Cut Steakhouse and Goodman Theatre. At about 30 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight · Culture
Neighborhood
River North
Price
Free
Time needed
30 min
Best time
From 10 pm on Dec 31

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond The Loop & Chicago River. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Chicago Cut Steakhouse

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

    Food · 0.1 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Goodman Theatre

    Chicago's oldest nonprofit theater, staging A Christmas Carol every holiday season since 1978.

    Activity · Chicago · 0.4 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    The Langham, Chicago

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

    Stay · 0.4 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Christkindlmarket

    German-style Christmas market in Daley Plaza since 1996, with wooden stalls, ornaments, bratwurst and Glühwein.

    Shopping · Chicago · 0.4 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    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.

    Sight · 0.4 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Shaw's Crab House

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

    Food · 0.4 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Art on the Mart is a stop on our Chicago New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More sights to see in The Loop & Chicago River

Another curated sight in The Loop & Chicago River. See the full The Loop & Chicago River guide.

When to go: weather by month, based on Chicago

Our climate figures for The Loop & Chicago River come from nearby Chicago. Average daily highs in Chicago run from 32°F in January to 77°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Art on the Mart itself, we suggest: From 10 pm on Dec 31.

Modelled monthly averages for Chicago from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Chicago weather by month (covers The Loop & Chicago River).

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Art on the Mart, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
41.88840, -87.63550
Destination
The Loop & Chicago River, Illinois

Art on the Mart: quick answers

How much time do you need at Art on the Mart?

Plan on about 30 minutes at Art on the Mart. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Art on the Mart?

Our pick: From 10 pm on Dec 31. Insider tip: Watch from the Riverwalk or the Wells Street side of Wacker Drive for a straight-on view.

Is Art on the Mart free?

Yes, we list Art on the Mart as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Art on the Mart?

Art on the Mart appears on Chicago New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Art on the Mart to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to The Loop & Chicago River.

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Also in The Loop & Chicago River

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.