Neighborhood News: You’re invited! All About New Year’s Rockin Eve in Chicago
A very Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate! May your day be merry, bright and joyful!!
In one week, 2026 will arrive. And for the first time ever, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, will help Chicago ring in 2026 on Wacker Drive along the Chicago River, at Wells Street and Lake Street.
All of Chicago is invited to the celebration. And it’s FREE!! No tickets required!! 🎊 🎉
What’s Happening?
Chicago native Chance the Rapper hosts and performs, along with performances from Chicago acts throughout the night. He’ll also lead the Central Time Zone countdown!
The festivities take place along the Chicago Riverwalk at Wacker Drive from Wells Street to Lake Street, with the main stage located at Wacker and Franklin, with the background of the Chicago River. A custom audio/visual projection program from ART on THE MART will be displayed from 7pm to 9pm before on-stage performances begin. THE MART will then transform into the backdrop for the 2026 countdown as fireworks are launched from bridges along the Riverwalk.
Lineup (9 pm – Midnight)
- DJ Mike Dunn
- DJ Mike P
- J. Ivy
- Blues recording artist Shemekia Copeland
Will there be fireworks?
And how!!At midnight, fireworks will be launched from the Chicago River bridges between Orleans and Columbus Streets, with the best viewing along Upper Wacker Drive.
Additional viewing opportunities of the evening’s performances and the midnight fireworks display will be available via big-screen displays along Wacker between Lake and Wells Streets. There will also be a livestream of the entire event at chicago.gov.
Is my family safe downtown?
As the City of Chicago website notes, the City and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) are coordinating to ensure the celebration is safe and welcoming.
Safety precautions include:
- Security checkpoints, including metal detectors, at both entrances.
- Re-entry permitted only through Security Checkpoints.
Additionally…
For security reasons, guests are only permitted to bring bags sized 12”x6”x12” or smaller into the event. All guests will be required to pass through security checkpoints and will be subject to bag checks.
Lord, how do I get there?
The best way to get to Chicago’s New Year’s Eve countdown event is via public transit. Plus, all CTA trains and buses will be free from 10pm Wednesday, Dec. 31, until 4am Thursday, Jan. 1.
Take the ‘L’ to any of the following CTA train stations:
- Merchandise Mart (Brown and Purple lines)
- Clark/Lake (Purple, Blue, Pink, Green, Brown, and Orange lines)
- Washington/Wells (Purple, Pink, Brown, and Orange lines)
Or…reserve discounted parking for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Visit Millennium Garages to pre-purchase parking online and save up to 20% off daily and extended stay rates.
And what is New Year’s Rockin Eve?
New Year’s Rockin Eve has been a television staple for more than a half -century. In 1972, television personality Dick Clark conceived New Year’s Rockin’ Eve as a youthful competitor to Guy Lombardo’s popular and long-running New Year’s Eve specials on CBS. As Wikipedia sources tell it, the special first aired on December 31, 1972; its first two editions were broadcast by NBC, and hosted by Three Dog Night and George Carlin, respectively, with Clark anchoring coverage from Times Square. In 1974–75, the program moved to its current home of ABC, and Clark assumed the role of host. From 2011–12 onward the special has occupied the entirety of ABC’s primetime and late-night schedule on New Year’s Eve.
Ryan Seacrest took over as the main host after Clark’s stroke in 2004, with Rita Ora and Julianne Hough serving as co-hosts and correspondents.
This year, their national broadcast is co-hosted by Rita Ora and includes performances by 50 Cent, Chappell Roan,Busta Rhymes and 4 Non Blondes. For a complete list of performers and co-hosts, click here.
Here’s to a safe and wonderful holiday week for all, from Dean’s Team Chicago!!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
