Chicago Announces New Year’s Eve Fireworks Along the River

Patty Wetli | December 20, 2023 9:06 am

(Courtesy of Barry Butler, Arena Partners)

Chicago is throwing a New Year's Eve bash and everyone's invited.

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The Chicago Riverwalk and Merchandise Mart will serve as party central, with a greatest hits of Art on the Mart projections lighting up the Mart's massive facade all night long and fireworks launching from multiple downtown bridges at midnight.

“Chicagoans have the unique ability to find hope and resilience in each day and New Year’s Eve is the foundation of beginning a new year with the same unbridled optimism,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “As an icon of our city’s landscape, the Chicago River is what unites our town and we are excited to bring everyone together in a big way, continuing traditions and beginning new ones."

Here are the details:

When: Art on the Mart projections will begin at 7:30 p.m., featuring works from the past five years. A countdown display will kick in at 11:55 p.m. Fireworks at midnight will coincide with Navy Pier's lakefront display. A special New Year message will be displayed on the Mart until 12:15 a.m.

Where: The best viewing will be along the Chicago River on Upper Wacker Drive from McClurg Court to Franklin Street. The Wabash and Michigan Avenue bridges will be open throughout the event.

Closures: Bridges at at Franklin, LaSalle, Clark and Dearborn streets, as well as the Columbus Drive bridge, will close between 11:45 p.m. and 12:15 a.m.

The Riverwalk will close at 11 p.m. except for the section from Wells Street to Orleans Street, which will be open until 12:15 a.m.

"The Geometry of Thought" by Charles Atlas is one of the Art on the Mart projections that will be displayed New Year's Eve. (Courtesy of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events)