Free New Years Eve Fireworks on Chicago River. ALL FIREWORKS ARE CANCELLED in 2020. Navy Pier’s Fireworks
Where to take out on New Years Eve in Chicago
Chicago New Year’s Eve Celebration Contact Information: (312) 204-7269 or info@nyeblast.com. Fireworks will go off from Franklin Street on the west to just west of the Lake Shore Drive bridge. The fireworks will be displayed in tandem with Navy Pier’s Fireworks when the clock strikes midnight. I couldn’t find anyone who did this last year so I have no idea how crowded it was.
NBC 5’s “New Year’s Eve Live in Chicago”
WGN Chicago’s Very Own New Year’s Eve Blast.”
About the fireworks
The river fireworks will be launched from the bridges at Franklin/Orleans Street, LaSalle Street (new this year), Clark Street, Dearborn Street (new this year) and State Street (new this year). . Fireworks will also be launched from barges on the river in front of the Hyatt Regency 151 E. Wacker Drive and in front of the Sheraton Grand 301 E North Water St. Remember the CTA is free on New Years Eve and is running on Sunday schedules.
Stand out by the river or on another bridge
I’m sure you can find a place to stand by the river. I would guess the farther west you go the less crowded it may be. Another option is to go to another bridge to watch – if it’s allowed. Good luck and stay warm!
CTA and Metra
CTA and Metra are offering free rides on New Years Eve.
Street Closures
Last year Wacker Drive from Lake Street to Stetson Avenue was closed. This year it’s not on the list so you should be able to stand all along Wacker Drive across from various bridges to watch.
From 5:00pm until 1:30am
Curb lane and sidewalk closures at:East side of the LaSalle Street BridgeEast side of the Clark Street BridgeEast side of the Dearborn Street BridgeEast side of the State Street BridgeWest side of the Franklin/Orleans Street Bridge
Curb lane and sidewalk closures on eastbound E. Wacker Drive, between 111 E. Wacker Drive and Stetson Avenue
At 8:00pm
Closure of the Riverwalk to pedestrians
From 11:45pm to 12:15am
Full closures of bridge for fireworks launch:LaSalle Street BridgeClark Street BridgeDearborn Street BridgeState Street BridgeFranklin/Orleans Street Bridge
The Chicago Police Department may implement additional intermittent or rolling street closures at their discretion. Their efforts will be coordinated with the Chicago Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management and Communications, and the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure public safety.
Security
There will be a full coterie of private security, CPD, Office of Emergency Management and Communications, and the U.S. Coast Guard out so don’t even attempt to misbehave or drink in public.
Put a free police scanner app on your phone
After the stampede at Navy Pier on July 4, where 12 people were trampled, you may want to consider adding a police scanner app to your phone for the night. In the event that there is an emergency you can listen to the scanner app (bring earbuds) to get real time information about what is really going on. I use Scanner Radio: Police and Fire. You should tune in to Chicago Police Zone 4: Districts 1 and 18. I use the scanner app every time there is a wilding or other melee downtown so I can navigate my way around the mobs to get home safely.
Partner locations
Various hotels, restaurants and bars are offering viewing opportunities. You can check it out here. I didn’t bother to review this because my experience in the past is that these events are: oversold, crowded and so loud you cannot move or talk, offer watered down drinks and almost no drink service, trashed restrooms, and are ridiculously overpriced. However if you have the cash you might as well go!
Last year Wacker Drive from Lake Street to Stetson Avenue was closed. This year it’s not on the list so you should be able to stand all along Wacker Drive across from various bridges to watch.
To see the Franklin bridge, LaSalle and Clark Street bridge fireworks
Go to the Wells Street bridge. Or go to the Merchandise Mart and stand in the Plaza on the south side overlooking the river.
To see the Dearborn and State Street bridge fireworks
Go to the Wabash bridge. Or go to the base of the Trump Tower on the river. To get there go to the Wrigley Building (400-410 N Michigan Ave.) walk west past the Walgreens between the two Wrigley Building towers and keep going on the left there will be stairs and possibly the elevator may be working. Take these down to the river. This area is not technically a part of the Riverwalk so it may not be open on NYE.
To see the fireworks on the barge in front of the Hyatt Regency
Go to the Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge). Or go to the Apple Store (401 N. Michigan) and take the stairs on either side of it down to the river. This area is not technically a part of the Riverwalk so it may be open on NYE. Or stand in front of the Hyatt on the north side of East Wacker Drive west of Stetson at Columbus Drive or east of Columbus Drive.
To see the fireworks on the barge in front of the Sheraton Grand
Go to the Columbus Drive bridge. Or stand on the south side of Wacker Drive east of Columbus across from the Swissotel.
