Arts & Entertainment
Chicago’s ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ Event Details, Navy Pier Fireworks Announced
The Chicago skyline is pictured on Jan, 6, 2020. (Dawid S Swierczek / iStock)
Chicago residents and tourists will be able to take part in the New Year’s Eve national television special “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” which will feature a live broadcast from downtown Chicago, in addition to being able to view firework displays, the city announced Wednesday.
This year marks the first time “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” which airs on ABC, will feature a live broadcast from downtown Chicago, with the show’s first Central time zone midnight countdown.
The “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” festivities will take place along the Chicago Riverwalk at Wacker Drive from Wells Street to Lake Street, with a main stage located at Wacker and Franklin, according to the mayor’s office.
Grammy Award-winning artist Chance the Rapper, who will be the show’s Chicago co-host, is expected to take the stage for a countdown performance shortly before midnight.
For those looking to participate in the New Year’s Eve festivities, the event is free and open to the public, with no advance ticket registration required, according to the city. Starting at 5 p.m., event entrances, located on Wacker Drive at the corner of Wells or Lake Street, will open.
On-stage performances located at Wacker and Franklin will begin at 9 p.m. Other Chicago artists, including local DJs Mike Dunn and Mike P, J. Ivy and Shemekia Copeland, will perform throughout the night.
All guests will be required to pass through security checkpoints and will be subject to bag checks. Guests are permitted to bring bags 12”x6”x12” or smaller through the checkpoints.
Gates will close once the event reaches capacity, according to the city.
Due to related road closures, public transportation is recommended to reach the celebration, according to the city. A full schedule of road and bridge closures can be found here.
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026” airs Dec. 31, live on ABC, beginning at 7 p.m. The Chicago broadcast is in partnership with ABC7 Chicago. Chicago festivities will livestream on the city’s website.
New Year’s Eve Firework Displays
Official firework displays on New Year’s Eve will occur along the Chicago River downtown and at Navy Pier.
Just before midnight, the Art on the Mart projection display will transform into a backdrop for a 2026 countdown as fireworks are launched from bridges along the Chicago River for a five-minute show, according to a news release.
The fireworks will take place along the Chicago River on Wacker Drive from Wells/Orleans streets to Columbus Drive. The fireworks show can be best viewed along the Chicago River on Upper Wacker Drive from McClurg Court to Franklin Street, according to a news release.
Separately, Navy Pier will have a 10-minute firework display at midnight that is free to the public. More details can be found on Navy’s Pier’s website.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
