Chicago’s throwing a shiny and bright New Year’s Eve celebration, and everyone’s invited.
The city’s annual New Year’s Eve free fireworks extravaganza on the Chicago River is set for Dec. 31, starting at 10 p.m with custom “Art on the Mart” projections on the facade of the Merchandise Mart building, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced Monday.
Fireworks will follow at midnight, launched from the bridges at Orleans Street, La Salle Drive, Clark Street, Dearborn Street, State Street and Columbus Drive.
Event attendees are encouraged to arrive early along the Riverwalk, as entry to the area will be closed starting at 11 p.m. To accommodate the expected crowds, the bridges will be closed to vehicle traffic and pedestrians from 11:45 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. More info can be found at Chicago.gov/NYE.
Artistic/audio projections on the Mart will feature selections from past installations by Jonas Denzel, Yuge Zhou, Black Dance Legacy Project, Yiyun Kang, Cory Arcangel and Brendan Fernandes.
If you can’t make it to the Riverwalk, you can also ring in the new year with Navy Pier’s free fireworks show starting at midnight and visible up and down along the lakefront. Visit NavyPier.org for complete information.
“We’re inviting residents and visitors to come together along the Riverwalk and welcome the New Year with a celebration of what makes Chicago the most beautiful, iconic and vibrant city in the world,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement.