The best New Year’s Eve events and parties in Chicago to ring in 2025

The Aon Grand Ballroom hosts Navy Pier's annual New Year's Eve party, which welcomes thousands of guests and is capped off with a midnight fireworks display. All attendees will enjoy a drink package, live DJs, the city's largest dance floor and light appetizers. If you're looking for even more perks, upgrade to a VIP ticket, which comes with food stations and access to balconies.

Dance the night away inside the grand ballroom of one of Chicago's most historic hotels. The party will feature multiple rooms with entertainment, an all-inclusive drink package, an appetizer buffet, cover band and DJ performances and a midnight celebration. VIP admission includes an extended open bar plus access to private areas.

Drink and dance among 2,500 guests spread throughout eight rooms at the Congress Plaza Hotel's New Year's Eve Party, featuring DJ Maximo, DJ Commando, DJ ChiBassMafia and a host of other entertainers, plus a buffet and multiple bars (VIP ticketholders are granted additional perks, like early entry and access to balconies). Make sure you have a drink in your hand for the balloon drop at midnight.

Get gussied up in formal wear and spend the last night of 2024 atop the world’s largest rooftop bar during this extravagant, all-inclusive New Year's Eve party at Offshore. Ticket packages include four hours of premium open bars, passed appetizers, a midnight Champagne toast and live music to groove to all night long. Plus, with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier, you won't find many better places for watching the fireworks show at midnight. 

Get dressed up and head to the 66th floor of the Willis Tower for a five-room bash complete with martinis, Champagne, hors d'oeuvres, a buffet and thousands of revelers ready to ring in the new year with a midnight confetti storm. Upgrade to VIP for top shelf liquor and access to a reserved floor with seating—and if you don’t feel like going home, book a discounted room at a nearby hotel.

Take in some of the best views of the skyline from the 21st floor lounge of riverfront hotel LondonHouse this year. Guests will enjoy music from live DJs, a four-hour open bar, a dance floor and a midnight Champagne toast. When the clock strikes midnight, the Etoile terrace provides direct sightlines of the city's fireworks display.

Looking for a spot to catch the fireworks show at midnight? Popular rooftop destination Raised is opening its outdoor patio, which is typically closed during winter, on New Year's Eve. Guests will have a front-row seat to the spectacular display over the Chicago River while enjoying unlimited beer and wine, seasonal gourmet bites and live entertainment. If you need to warm up, the cozy indoor bar will provide an escape from the cold.

Navy Pier's Latin-inspired restaurant, Bar Sol, will host an extravagant celebration featuring multiple levels of dynamic live entertainment, delectable gourmet appetizers, a premium drink package and unparalleled front-row views of the spectacular fireworks display at midnight. Elevate your experience with VIP admission, granting access to exclusive rooms and additional seating, or secure a table reservation for optimal views.

Spend the last hours of the year getting high when you party on the 94th floor of one of Chicago's tallest buildings. 360 Chicago's New Year's Eve party allows you to gaze at the skyline from above all night long while enjoying a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, light bites and access to cash/credit bars at CloudBar. Your ticket also includes unlimited rides on the observatory's TILT attraction, though you might want to take advantage of this perk before you begin buying drinks. At midnight, you'll have an amazing view of the various New Year's Eve fireworks displays bursting in the sky around you. Dress to impress—cocktail attire required.

Ring in 2025 at I|O, the massive fourth floor rooftop bar at The Godfrey Hotel. General admission tickets (which include passed hors d'oeuvres and a midnight Champagne toast) start at $45, but you can pump up your experience with VIP add-ons like a reservation at the bar’s indoor lounge tables or even a private heated igloo.

Party like Jay Gatsby at this Roaring throwback party held at Morgan MFG in the West Loop, a two-floor, industrial-chic venue that'll be overflowing with Champagne, cocktails, desserts, photo booths and more fun fit for celebrating this century's version of the '20s. You'll also get access to a pre-New Year's Eve party at Soundbar on December 30; VIP ticketholders are treated to upgraded drink options and a party area on the second floor mezzanine.

Lettuce Entertain You's riverfront Italian restaurant is throwing a party that will offer guests close-up views of the fireworks along the water. Enjoy passed apps, pizza stations, a midnight toast, signature cocktails, a live DJ and more. Looking for a more private experience? Book a table or booth for up to 10 people.

Party at one of Chicago's most well-known nightclubs at this two-floor New Year's Eve extravaganza featuring passed hors d'oeuvres, a four-hour cocktail reception and a midnight Champagne toast. Plus, dance to beats from DJs that will keep the party going into the new year. Note that attire is “celebratory chic,” so plan on dressing to impress.

Looking to party until the wee hours of the morning? This late-night New Year's soiree at the Hard Rock Cafe goes until 4am and includes 4.5 hours of all-inclusive drinks and an appetizer buffet (it'll switch to a cash bar at 1:30am) along with music from local DJs. Group discounts are available, and you can also opt for VIP table service.  

Count down to midnight while 22 stories above ground. VU Rooftop's New Year's Eve event will include a three-hour open bar, food buffet, photo booth and Champagne toast at midnight. When 2025 arrives, guests will have clear views of the fireworks from the terrace.