Arts & Entertainment
‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ Will Broadcast Live From Downtown Chicago for First Time
The Chicago skyline is pictured on Jan, 6, 2020. (Dawid S Swierczek / iStock)
The New Year’s Eve national television special “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC will be broadcasting live from downtown Chicago this year with the show’s first Central time zone midnight countdown, the broadcasting company announced Monday.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the beauty and dynamism of our city and its people for the world to see,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a Monday news release. “We could not be more excited to welcome in the new year with fireworks, music, and Chicago pride.”
The festivities in Chicago will be led by a new host and feature live performances, on-the-ground updates and reporting throughout the evening, according to a news release. Details have not yet been announced.
When asked on ABC-7 Chicago Monday morning about any hints regarding live performances and hosts, Johnson said, “I can’t reveal that today, but I’ll just say this: Everything dope about America comes from Chicago.”
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” in its 55th year, will also go live from New York City’s Times Square live for an East Coast countdown, in addition to having a Spanish language live broadcast from Puerto Rico.
The television special drew in 29 million viewers at midnight last year, according to a news release.
“We look forward to bringing viewers a spectacular fireworks display centered around the iconic bridges that cross the Chicago River and cascade over the city’s world-class architecture," John Idler, general manager and president of WLS-TV Chicago, said in a news release.
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026” airs Wednesday, Dec. 31, live on ABC, beginning at 7 p.m.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
