Navy Pier and Chicago River host big fireworks shows to ring in New Year 2025
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As Chicago prepares to ring in 2025, thousands are putting on their sparkly dresses and party hats and heading downtown to celebrate the new year.
Navy Pier will host its annual New Year's Eve countdown and fireworks display – and this year's fireworks show will be longer than ever – while the city will host its own fireworks festival along the Chicago River.
The Aon Grand Ball Room at Navy Pier will host what organizers said is the city's largest New Year's celebration, including the largest dance floor in the city. The countdown to midnight also will feature a 70-foot balloon drop, followed by an extended 15-minute fireworks show – 5 minutes longer than usual, according to Elizabeth Halajain, senior vice president of advancement at Navy Pier.
Not only will 3,000 people make their way into the ballroom, but there will also be a New Year's Eve party at Offshore, the rooftop restaurant at Navy Pier, with views overlooking the barge where their fireworks show will begin.
"We wanted to make for an extra-special extended show. This year there will be over 10,000 unique events and over 2,000 biodegradable shells that are firing off," Halajain said.
Not too far away, along six downtown bridges crossing the Chicago River, more fireworks will go over in coordination with the ones at Navy Pier.
"You can expect some 'mini finales' in our 15-minute show to coincide with their 5-minute show, so that people really are getting the most colorful and incredible fireworks experience as they're ringing in the new year," Halajain said.
Meantime, large crowds also were gathering in River North and Wrigleyville, where many bars and clubs were planning big ticketed events for the holiday.
The celebration started early at Old Crow Smokehouse in Wrigleyville, where it was packed with hockey fans watching the Blackhawks face off against the Blues in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. After the game, it will be host to a big New Year's Eve countdown party.
"Starting at about 9:30, we're going to do a ticketed event for New Year's Eve. We'll have a live band," general manager Ben Gulino said. "A lot of prep. You know, it's a big night for everybody, so you want to make sure that we're doing everything to provide to them and make sure it's the best experience you can possibly have."
While tickets are required at Old Crow, and the Third Coast Hospitality restaurant group's four other venues in Wrigleyville and River North, some in Chicago are just seeing where the night goes.
"You spend so much money on it. Why? I'd rather spend my money on a new pair of shoes than on overpriced drinks at the bar," Grace Cantu said.
Jeff Owens said he and his friends were planning to go downtown for dinner at a nice Italian restaurant before playing the rest of the night by ear.
"Just kind of bar hop, kind of catch a vibe, and see what the city has to offer," he said.
Chicago police said they're doing everything they can to secure the big fireworks celebrations downtown as well as other New Year's Eve festivities in each of the 77 neighborhoods across the city.
"We will have additional officers posted at large celebrations, while also maintaining staffing in the districts. So we will not be depleting districts to make sure we that we cover other areas," said Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling. "We've done that just like DNC, planning ahead and making sure we have additional resources to make sure that everyone across the city during this celebration can be safe and kept safe."
Police also reminded people not to fire bullets into the air. Not only is it dangerous and illegal, but police it also takes away resources as officers have to respond to those calls of shots fired.
If you plan to attend the fireworks show at Navy Pier, which is free and open to the public, the best viewing spot is just outside the Aon Grand Ballroom, on the south side of the pier, facing downtown.
The Chicago River fireworks show also is free and open to the public, and can be viewed all along Upper Wacker Drive above the Chicago Riverwalk. Before the fireworks show along the river, the Merchandise Mart also will host its annal ART on THE MART display, featuring projections of various art on the façade of the Merchandise Mart.
