An entire decade will come to a close on Jan 1. Here are 20 attractions to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chicago.
Can you believe the 2010s are ending? Wild. This New Year’s Eve is bound to be that much more impactful to close out the decade. Here’s our top 20 NYE events to celebrate 2020’s arrival.
1. Annual Resolutions Gala
Ring in the new year in style at the 8th Annual Resolution Gala at The Aon Grand Ballroom. This incredible party has 30 bars, a bountiful buffet, superb DJs, and spectacular fireworks over Lake Michigan! Dance all night and toast to the new year with champagne at midnight. Happy New Year, indeed! Buy tickets here.
2. New Year’s Eve at Crystal Gardens
The Crystal Gardens NYE party is one of the most anticipated events of the year. With some of Chicago best DJs, over 20 premium liquor bars, a private terrace, and red carpet photo opportunities, this party lets you welcome 2020 in style. You also have the chance to get on TV, as NBC will be broadcasting the party live as they count down to midnight. More information.
3. A mile-long fireworks display along the Chicago River.
NYE Blast will set off a choreographed fireworks display that will stretch one mile along the Chicago River. You can watch the incredible fireworks display for free at the riverside between Wolf Point and Lake Shore Dr. There’s also several NYE parties and hotels within viewing distance of the fireworks display that you can book to avoid sitting out in the cold all night. We suggest LondonHouse Chicago, Gibson’s Italia, or taking a river cruise with Odyssey Chicago. More information.
4. Roaring 20’s! A Lavish NYE Soiree
Welcome back the roaring 20’s at one of the spiffiest joints in town! This prohibition-themed NYE party is every Gatby fan’s dream! Come dressed in your best flapper dress or mobster suit and prepare for a wild night of giggle water, Foxtrotting, tasty grub, and more! Doesn’t that sound just so peachy keen? You only get one chance to restart the 20s, so get your tickets now!
5. Crawl ‘Til the Ball Falls
This is a bar crawl like no other. Celebrate 2019’s best moments and kick-off 2020 with a golden ticket to some of Chicago’s best bars. Your bar crawl wristband gets you free entrance into any of the participating bars as well as special drink prices like $4 beers, $5 well mixed drinks, and $6 shots! Buy tickets here.
6. NYX 2020 New Years Eve Party
This is one of the biggest NYE parties in Chicago. Meet at the Wynwood, an eclectic new venue in Wicker Park, and party with over 200 people all ready to toast to 2020. Enjoy a three-hour open bar, light snacks, a killer dance floor, and top-notch DJs spinning hot tracks all night long. More information.
7-15 Attend any of these NYE parties at some of Chicago’s best bars.
Ring in the new year with good company at any of these fantastic bars and restaurants. Better yet, crawl from party to party to maximize your midnight fun.
7. Hubbard Inn, 110 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL
8. Estelle’s Cafe & Lounge, 2013 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
9. NYE 2020 at the Christmas Club, 3460 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
9. Joy District, 112 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL
11. Midnight Taco Toast at Easy Bar, 1944 W Division St, Chicago, IL
12. Three Dots and a Dash, 435 N Clark St, Chicago,
13. New Year’s Eve 1919 Party and Burlesque Show
Roll back the clocks to Dec 31, 1919. It’s prohibition-era Chicago and you’re out on the town, ready to ring in what will become the roaring 20s. Slip through the doors of The Hyde, a popular speakeasy, and enjoy a night of dazzling burlesque, live Jazz, and an unforgettable meal from Red Fish, Bleu Fish. More information.
14. NRG’s Oz NYE 2020
Escape the black and white scheme of 2019 and celebrate the start of 2020 in technicolor at NRG’s Oz NYE Party. This Wizard of Oz-themed pop-up bar celebration brings L. Frank Baum’s characters to life at this unique art, food, and drink experience. NRG has hosted invite-only NYE events for the past decade, but this year is the first time their festivities will be open to the public. Ring in the new year at Zoe’s Patio on the South Side and walk down your own yellow brick road to 2020. More information.
15. NYE Soiree at the JW Marriot
Leave the troubles of 2019 behind as you welcome the new year with a bang at the JW Marriot’s NYE Soiree. Enjoy multiple rooms of entertainment, three different events within the Soiree, live music & DJs, and more! JW Marriot is one of Chicago’s fanciest hotels so treat yourself to a night of luxury. You deserve it! More information.
16. Kid-Friendly Noon Year’s Eve Party and Balloon Drop
Midnight is way past your kids’ bedtime, but they want to take part in the festivities too! Ring in the Noon Year at one of four locations during the day so no one stays up past their bedtime (except for you, of course!) Families can enjoy bounce houses, mini soccer games, face painting, balloon art, and more at this kid-friendly NYE celebration. Count down to 12 p.m. for the big balloon drop to kick off 2020! More information.
17. Zoo Year’s Eve at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Enjoy the stunning holiday ZooLights in one of Chicago’s most beautiful parks. This 21+ event is the best way to countdown to 2020 while enjoying millions of glittering lights, cash bars, DJs, games and more. Plus, it’s in the zoo so you get to see all the awesome animals, too! Win-win! More information.
18. Spend the night in with Honey Butter Fried Chicken
This holiday can get expensive quickly and with the weather as cold as it is, we don’t blame you if you need to keep your NYE activities contained in your apartment. That doesn’t mean you have to totally miss out on celebrating, though! Honey Butter Fried Chicken is offering “New Year’s Eve Fancy Packs,” available for delivery or pick up Dec 31. Celebrate NYE in style but in the comfort of your pajamas. More information.
19. Enjoy a four-course meal at About Last Knife.
About Last Knife is offering a romantic, yet laid back evening to celebrate New Year’s Eve by hosting an exquisite four-course meal. The modern steakhouse on North Michigan will offer a prix fixe menu including Porcini Agnolotti with brown butter, hazelnuts, and sage; and Celery Root and Lobster Bisque. Reservations are $75/person with wine pairings for an additional $35. More information.
20. New Year’s Eve at Bonus Round Game Cafe
Join Bonus Round Game Cafe for a low-key evening of board games, food, and a midnight champagne (or sparkling cider) toast at midnight. This is one of our favorite board game bars and restaurants in the city. Don’t miss their fantastic NYE event. More information.
Looking for more NYE events? Find more ways to ring in the new year here!
What are your plans for 2020? Share your celebrations and resolutions with us on Instagram with the hashtag #mysecretchicago.
Feature image from Pixabay.