8 Fun Ways to Ring In the New Year Around Chicagoland

Dec 10, 2019 | Entertainment, Neighborhood

As the year draws to a close, it’s time to look ahead to a bright future — while sending off the last twelve months with a bang. 

Here in Chicagoland, New Year’s Eve is a big deal. As we wind down 2019 and head for 2020, there are going to be parties and special New Year’s events popping up all over the city and suburbs, so revelers can dance, sing, and celebrate all night long. 

Whether your idea of the perfect New Year’s Eve is a quiet night in, a spectacular fireworks display, or just about anything in between, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for here in Chicagoland. 

Start practicing your “Auld Lang Syne” and get those streamers and sunglasses ready, because it’s time to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chicagoland! Need a little inspiration as we head for December 31? Here are eight classic ways to ring in the New Year around the city and suburbs: 

Watch the Fireworks

Looking to bring in the New Year with a little bit of razzle dazzle? Fireworks are a staple of New Year’s Eve celebrations all around the world — and Chicagoland is no exception. In fact, our area is famous for its stunning fireworks displays. Many communities around Chicagoland will be hosting fireworks displays this year, so be sure to check to see what’s happening in your area. In the city, fireworks fans can enjoy the incredible display at Navy Pier, check out the amazing light show along the Chicago River, or see the action from the comforts of a Lake Michigan cruise or one of the area’s high-rise observation decks.

Party All Night Long

Ready to boogie? Every New Year’s Eve, the Chicagoland area plays host to some of the most incredible and eclectic celebrations you’ll find anywhere. Downtown, New Year’s Eve bashes take over some of Chicago’s most iconic hotels, including the Drake and the Congress Plaza. Across the city and throughout the suburbs, many of Chicagoland’s most famous bars and restaurants also throw parties to ring in the New Year. You might also find special events in unique locations, from the annual “Brew Year’s Eve” event at Architectural Artifacts in Ravenswood, to the night-long dance-a-thon at Vargo’s Dance in Geneva. 

See a Concert

Why not celebrate the start of a new year by dancing and singing along with some of the country’s best musicians? Here in Chicagoland, we’re well known for our love of live music, and many of the area’s favorite concert venues host New Year’s Eve shows each year. As we head for 2020, you’ll find musical acts of all stripes playing at beloved spots including the Metro, Thalia Hall, Concord Music Hall, Schuba’s Tavern, Kingston Mines, and the Green Mill, among plenty of other clubs and concert halls around the area. 

Enjoy a Kid-Friendly Countdown

Would your family prefer to be in bed by midnight? If you’ve got little ones who want to enjoy a New Year’s countdown but can’t make it all the way to January 1, there are a variety of early countdowns and kid-friendly events taking place all around the area. Located at Navy Pier, the Chicago Children’s Museum hosts an annual “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration, with the countdown kicking off at mid-day. Downtown Naperville hosts an early evening countdown for families, and you’ll find more kid-friendly events going on throughout the day at some of the area’s biggest family attractions, including the SciTech Hands On Museum in Aurora, the Enchanted Castle in Lombard, and the Wonder Works Childrens’ Museum in Oak Park. 

Savor the Flavors of Some of Chicagoland’s Best Restaurants

What could be better than saying hello to the start of a new year with a full stomach and plenty of warm, wonderful memories? If your idea of the perfect New Year’s Eve involves a five-course feast, then the Chicago area has plenty of destinations sure to satisfy. Many of the region’s most beloved restaurants host pre fixe dinners and tasting menus on New Year’s Eve — some of which come complete with a tasty dessert and a glass of champagne for toasting at midnight. 

Attend a Show

Chicagoland is home to some of the country’s best theaters and live performance venues — and the fun keeps going on New Year’s Eve! This year, you can enjoy a fantastic night out by seeing a play at the world-famous Steppenwolf Theatre, enjoying the antics of the Blue Man Group at the Briar Street Theatre, or marveling at the mysteries of the Chicago Magic Lounge, one of the city’s best kept secrets. You could also laugh into 2020 by enjoying some classic Chicago-style comedy at one of the area’s favorite venues, like iO or The Second City. 

Practice Your Roar at a Chicagoland Zoo

Want to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a different kind of party animal? The Lincoln Park Zoo and the Brookfield Zoo both host magical events on New Year’s Eve. Every year, the Lincoln Park Zoo is home to Zoo Year’s Eve, an after-hours event complete with glittering lights and tons of fun attractions, ranging from ice carving to live DJ sets. Outside of the city, the Brookfield Zoo also opens its doors on New Year’s Eve for a family-friendly event featuring live music, games, and confetti cannons. 

Get Cozy at Home

If the idea of braving the cold and the crowds sounds daunting, why not plan your perfect New Year’s Eve night in? From watching a marathon of your favorite movies, to cooking up or ordering a delicious dinner, to watching the ball drop on TV surrounded by friends and family, there is no shortage of ways to have a memorable New Year’s Eve without having to leave the comforts of home. 

Looking to Discover Chicagoland In 2020?

At Baird & Warner, we’ve proudly called Chicagoland home since 1855 — that’s a lot of New Year’s celebrations under our belt! 

What’s your biggest real estate resolution for the year ahead? Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or get to know the local market, our agents are hyperlocal experts who are here to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, while making the entire real estate experience easier at every step of the way.

Looking to buy? Start your search here.