Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chicago
Ring in the new year at these parties, events, and dinners.
Take a breath. 2022 was a doozy, and before we go any further, just take a second to congratulate yourself for making it through another year. You made it. You deserve to treat yourself. In that spirit, we’ve collected a dozen of the city’s best New Year’s parties and events, so regardless of your budget or desired vibe, you’ll be able to ring in 2023 in style.
Have a family-friendly New Year’s throwdown over Chicago’s favorite party sport
Whirlyball Chicago
Skip the late-night brouhaha and indulge in a day of Laser Tag, Bowling, and of course, Whirlyball. Each ticket includes a lunch buffet, as well as unlimited games for the duration of the afternoon party. Of course, there will be a cash bar for adults as well.
Cost:$20 for kids, $30 for adults
Get ethereal with Untitled Supper Club
Untitled Supper Club
Michelle L’Amour and the entire Unbridled team at Untitled Supper Club have been working overtime to create a sultry New Years’ extravaganza featuring four rooms of live music, variety, and burlesque performances, a premium open bar until 1 am, and four hours of some of the city’s best food
Cost:$200 per person
Putt your way into 2023
Puttshack Oakbrook
Grab your golfing gloves and trek out to Oakbrook to celebrate the new year with the area’s most high-tech mini-golf destination. Book your time in advance (and be sure to book a rematch as well—one round won’t be enough) for a night full of music and dancing courtesy of a live DJ, a champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and of course, some of the city’s best mini-golf. Get a good enough score and you might be going home with some extra special prizes.
Cost:$39 per person
Experience “opulence and indulgence” at Navy Pier’s New Year on the Pier
Navy Pier
Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom is the setting for this over-the-top celebration with live entertainment, Chicago’s largest dance floor, and, of course, fireworks at midnight.
Cost: Tickets start at $139 per person
Ring in 2023 aboard the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise
Boards at DuSable Harbor
Step aboard the three-story, 140-foot luxury Anita Dee II yacht for this nautical NYE bash complete with an open bar, midnight Champagne toast, desserts, and the best damn fireworks in the city. Just make sure you come correct — there’s a strict dress code.
Cost: Tickets start at $160 per person
Dance the night away at a subterranean ping-pong lounge
SPIN
EDM Chicago, Wami Live, and What’s Good Chicago have joined forces to transform SPIN’s boozy ping-pong den into a three-room musical experience. Stop by and groove to DJs spinning House music and all your favorite top 40 hits, as well as live music. Of course, the party will still include appetizers, party toys, a ballroom drop, and that old NYE staple—ping-pong.
Cost:Tickets start at $100 per person
Get off the couch and run (or walk, or prance) the New Year’s Eve 5K
Millennium Park
Exercise more than just your digestive system at this festive 5K taking place along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan with food and drink, a post-race Champagne toast, and a virtual option.
Cost: Tickets run $60 per person
Slip into something more comfortable for Game Over: NYE Pajama Party Game Night
Meeting House Tavern
Press “reset” on the year with this laid-back pajama party featuring crowd-favorite Nintendo Switch games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, plus board games, Skee-ball, shuffleboard, darts, pool, and drink specials like $12 mimosa carafes. Your 12-year-old self will thank you.
Cost:No cover; menu prices vary
Feast on beer and barbecue at the District Brew Yards New Year’s Eve Party
District Brew Yards
Chicago’s premiere pour-your-own brewery hosts this suds-soaked affair with 40 taps to pull in between brewer-curated specialty shots, a barbecue buffet, DJ sets, dancing, and more.
Cost: Tickets start at $69 per person
Break your New Year’s Resolutions early at the 2023 New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl
Various locations
Why wait an entire year to build up regrets when you knock them all out in one night? That’s the idea behind this bar crawl with check-in spots spanning infamous dens of debauchery such as Hubbard Inn and Joy District, with drink specials, appetizers and available shuttle service for groups to boot.
Cost: Tickets start at $30 per person
Hilton Chicago
One of Chicago’s largest NYE affairs is this long-running gathering of the throngs with seven party areas across several huge ballrooms featuring casino gambling, a comedy show, KISS FM DJs, buffets, and a midnight “confetti storm.”
Cost: Tickets start at $125 per person
Enter the 2023 with a night of variety and burlesque at Newport New Year
Newport Theater
Newport continues to do things a little differently with this speakeasy-style NYE session featuring burlesque and other variety acts. Looking for something a little more special? Salon experiences are available for individualized, private performances as well.
Cost: Tickets start at $59 per person