From masquerade balls at swanky hotels to live DJs at underground clubs to multi-course meals at award-winning restaurants – there are tons of memorable ways to ring in the New Year in Chicago. Here are a few favorites for NYE 2020.
New Year’s Eve at Navy Pier
The annual Chicago Resolution Gala is the “it” New Year’s Eve event at Navy Pier. With more than 30 bars offering unlimited drinks, tasty buffet stations and access to the Grand Ballroom and the Lakeview Terrace – and to take in unrivaled views of the midnight fireworks.
Tickets start at $109.
Crystal Gardens New Years Eve
To see and be seen in a stunning space, hit up Crystal Gardens New Years Eve, where you’ll find special guest DJs and more than 20 premium liquor bars. Nosh on hors-d’oeuvres and signature dishes at various food stations, and step out on the private terrace to watch those fabulous fireworks.
Tickets start at $99.
Fireworks
No New Year’s celebration in Chicago would be complete without a trip to Navy Pier. Enjoy all the entertainment, watch a kaleidoscope of fireworks perfectly synchronized to inspiring music over Lake Michigan.
Free.
Lakefront dinner cruises
The best view of the fireworks display over Lake Michigan is from the water. Book one of Chicago’s many dinner cruise options that depart from Navy Pier, which includes dining, music, a champagne toast, and unbeatable views of the lit-up skyline and midnight fireworks show.
Prices vary.
Top hotel NYE parties
NYE Soiree at JW Marriott
The four-hour all-inclusive package includes multiple rooms of entertainment, featuring live music from the city’s hottest DJs and cover bands.
Tickets start at $125; JW Marriott, 151 W. Adams St.
New Year’s Eve Party at Drake Hotel
Guests can enjoy five ballrooms of entertainment, premium top-shelf liquor at more than 40 fully staffed bars, a breathtaking balloon drop, and a champagne toast at midnight inside a historic Chicago hotel.
Tickets start at $139; Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Place
Chicago New Year’s Ball at Congress Plaza Hotel
At this New Year’s Eve Ball, you’ll dance the night away with more than 3,000 fellow revelers under the musical stewardship of celebrity a DJs playing throughout multiple ballrooms at the Congress Plaza Hotel. And with tons of bars and buffets, you’ll spend less time waiting in line and more time on the dance floor.
Tickets start at $149; Congress Plaza Hotel: 520 S. Michigan Ave.
New Year’s Eve Party 2020 at Hilton Chicago
Wander through the festivities to discover different party areas with hors d’oeuvres and buffets, live DJs from Kiss FM, multiple areas with live entertainment, casino gambling, unlimited cocktails and champagne.
Tickets start at $119; Hilton Chicago: 720 S. Michigan Ave.
Swisshotel Chicago
The evening will feature multiple ballrooms of entertainment, top-shelf cocktails, a variety of hors d’oeuvres, pasta bar, custom martinis, premium champagne, top DJs and live cover band, midnight confetti storm, and so much more.
Tickets start at $119; Swissotel Chicago, 323 E Upper Wacker Drive.
New Year’s Eve Gala at W Chicago
Enjoy the all-inclusive package featuring top-shelf drinks, buffets, champagne, party favors, midnight celebrations, and more.
Tickets start at $145; W Chicago – City Center, 172 W. Adams St.
Special events and unique venues
Zoo Year’s Eve at Lincoln Park Zoo
Spend an after-hours evening at Zoo Year’s Eve, when one of the oldest zoos in the country will be decked out in millions of glittering lights. Plus, enjoy ice carving, cash bars serving beer, wine and champagne, a live DJ, and more.
Tickets start at $10; Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
Chicago Magic Lounge
The evening starts with close-up magic performed right at your cabaret table, followed by an hour of mind-blowing stage magic.
Tickets start at $70; Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St.
Brew Year’s Eve at Architectural Artifacts
This event features 10 Chicago breweries and 25 different craft beers, butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, and a selection of craft cocktails and wine, and live music.
Tickets start at $149; Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Bars & lounges
Eataly
Indulge in all things Italian at NYE at Eataly: Mezzanotte. The all-inclusive bash will feature unlimited food and drinks, including bites from all of Eataly’s second floor restaurants.
Tickets start at $150; Eataly, 43 E. Ohio St.
Midnight at the Oasis at Three Dots and a Dash
The evening will feature the bar’s signature cocktails and a live DJ set.
Three Dots and a Dash: 435 N. Clark St.
New Year’s Eve Party at Barcocina
Barcocina has a spectacular party in the works, featuring an open bar, complimentary hors-d’oeuvres, and live music from one of Chicago’s top DJs.
Barcocina: 2901 N Sheffield Ave.
Rock Around the Clock at the Hard Rock Cafe
The celebration includes a 4.5-hour premium cocktail reception and appetizer buffet station with a soundtrack by the official Chicago Bulls DJ, DJ Metro, playing nothing but the best Top 40 and retro hits.
Hard Rock Cafe: 63 W. Ontario St.
New Year’s Eve at Rock Bottom
The River North spot will be going all out this year, offering revelers a premium liquor package, private bartenders and cocktail servers, appetizers, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, and more.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery: 1 W. Grand Ave.
All that Glitters at Z Bar
The rooftop cocktail lounge at The Peninsula Chicago has planned a sparkling, golden-hued celebration filled with music and Champagne to ring in the new year.
Z Bar: 108 E. Superior St.
The Underground
Ring in the new year by dancing into 2020 with a star DJ lineup and join in on a champagne toast at midnight.
The Underground: 56 W. Illinois.
Monte Carlo New Year’s Eve at Roof on the Wit
Guests to the sky-high event will have access to a platinum open bar, lavish food, four gaming tables with roulette, craps, and blackjack, a live DJ, dramatic dance performances, a photo booth and more.
ROOF on theWit: 201 N. State St.
