Whether you’re celebrating with the entire family or want to make it a date night, here’s where to ring in 2020 around Chicago.
For Families
Blue Man Group
This Best of 2019 winner will perform four times on New Year’s Eve. Earlier shows will be perfect for families and will feature early countdowns with party hats, noisemakers, and a performance of “Auld Lang Syne.” Kids can also get their faces painted to resemble the group. Evening performances will feature a champagne toast and confetti drop (10 p.m. show only).
Chicago Children’s Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve Celebration
This celebration at Chicago Children’s Museum (a Best of 2019 winner) will include a make-your-own-crown craft, dance party, countdown to high noon, and lots of confetti.
First Night Evanston
This annual family-friendly event celebrates the arts as well as the end of another year. Enjoy a variety of music, dancing, and family activities.
Gemini’s New Year’s Eve Kids’ Seating
Gemini in Lincoln Park will offer a kid-friendly prix fixe menu, including a kiddie cocktail, and a “Kids’ Countdown” with party favors from 5-6:30 p.m.
Glenview Park District’s Noon Year’s Eve Party
Ring in 2020 a little early with your kiddos. They’ll love the inflatables, balloon drop, and other activities. And don’t miss the Square Dance Into the New Year Party on Dec. 28.
Ice Skating and Fireworks in Rosemont
Bring your skates (or rent a pair) to the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at the Parkway Bank Park entertainment district in Rosemont. Then stick around for a fireworks display at midnight.
Kohl Children’s Museum’s New Year’s Eve Bash
Your kiddos will love celebrating at “midnight” with a countdown and confetti drop at this Best of 2019 winner. They’ll also make party hats, dance, take photos in the photo booth, and more.
Pinstripes’ New Year’s Eve
Go bowling or try bocce as you enjoy a balloon drop with your kids at 8 p.m. A second balloon drop will take place at midnight with champagne and live music.
For Adults
360 CHICAGO’s New Year’s Eve in the Sky
This 21+, semi-formal event will feature unlimited rides on TILT, a DJ, party favors, two glasses of sparkling wine (plus cash bar), and unique views of Chicago’s fireworks display.
Cabra Cevicheria’s New Year’s Party on the Rooftop
This Peruvian-inspired restaurant from Stephanie Izard opened earlier this year and is celebrating its first New Year’s Eve with heavy passed bites, an open bar, dancing, and more.
City Winery’s New Year’s Eve Champagne Dinner
Enjoy a four-course dinner with sparkling wine and champagne pairings by candlelight.
ComedySportz’s Totally ’80s New Year’s Eve Party
ComedySportz is celebrating 2020 with three shows and ’80s-themed drinks, snacks, trivia, and a dance party with the best of ’80s music (after the 10 p.m. show).
Hilton Chicago Northbrook’s New Year’s Eve Gala
Plan a festive staycation with one of Hilton Chicago Northbrook’s three New Year’s Eve packages, including the Gala Package with deluxe overnight accommodations, passed hors d’oeuvres, a four-course dinner with wine service, five hours of open bar, dancing, and party hats and favors.
LondonHouse’s New Year’s Eve
There are two ways to celebrate at Best of 2019 winner LondonHouse. The Grand Ballroom will feature an open bar, live music, an hors d’oeuvres buffet, photo booth, and champagne toast, while the rooftop party will include passed hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, party favors, a photo booth, dancing, confetti cannons, DJs, and a champagne toast.
Navy Pier
This is the place to be as you say goodbye to the decade. Purchase tickets to Winter WonderFest and you’ll receive a complimentary ride on the Centennial Wheel. And don’t forget about the fireworks show, the longest fireworks display in Chicago (more than 15 minutes!).
You can also celebrate at the 8th Annual Chicago Resolution Gala, the Crystal Gardens New Year’s Eve Party, and Offshore’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. Or take a fireworks cruise with Odyssey, Spirit of Chicago, or Mystic Blue.
New Year’s Eve 5K
End the year with a run around Lincoln Park and along the lakefront, starting and ending at Theater on the Lake. A portion of proceeds will benefit Up2Us Sports, an organization “engaging, training and supporting sports coaches to serve as mentors and role models to youth living some of America’s most underserved communities.”
ROOF on theWit’s New Year’s Eve Monte Carlo Party
This third annual black tie party will feature a platinum open bar, gaming tables, food, acrobatic performances, live music, and much more.
Teatro ZinZanni
In addition to its usual four-course dinner and show, Teatro ZinZanni will offer a pre-show sparkling wine and cocktail hour and post-show dancing and sparkling wine toast on New Year’s Eve. Teatro ZinZanni will also be one of ABC 7’s live broadcast locations for the evening.
The Practical Theatre Company’s “Big Holiday Bag O’ Fun”
“Saturday Night Live” alum Gary Kroeger and writer Paul Barrosse, screenwriter Dana Olsen, “Veep” writer Emilia Barrosse, and more will ring in the new year with comedy sketches, satire, and music at Studio5 in Evanston. Additional performances will take place Dec. 28-30.
The Second City
End the year on an hilarious note with special performances of Best of 2019 winner The Second City‘s “Do You Believe in Madness,” “Grinning from Fear to Fear,” and “Deck the Hallmark: A Greeting Card Channel Original.” Dinner and drink packages, which include party favors and a champagne toast, are available.
