Children ring in 2026 in early New Year's Eve events across Chicago area, including Naperville DuPage Children's Museum

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — Families across the Chicagoland area are embracing kid-friendly New Year’s Eve festivities this Wednesday.

In Naperville, the DuPage Children’s Museum is hosting its much-anticipated 23rd annual Bubble Bash.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

From exciting bubble displays to thrilling confetti drops, the museum offers a range of activities, with 850 tickets sold for the event.

These celebrations also provide parents with the opportunity to tire out their little ones, allowing for some adult time later in the evening.

The DuPage Children’s Museum consistently delivers an unforgettable experience.

Enthusiastic attendee Lizzy Brocker exclaimed, “I want to do it again!”

“We started downstairs, where there was hot chocolate, some different, like, experiments. There were catapults that they were doing, like launching the cotton balls across the room,” mother Nancy Brocker said.

For the Brocker family, the tickets to the Bubble Bash New Year’s Eve event were a Christmas gift from a family member.

“We wake up at 6 a.m. no matter if we’re in school or not. So noon is perfect for us. Oh, because as parents, it’s like midnight for us,” Brocker said.

“Our goal here is to get kids really excited, burn off a lot of energy. So that hopefully you go home, you put your kids to sleep,” said Shamra Fallon, with the DuPage Children’s Museum.

The countdown took place at noon, and 8-year-old Andrew Temps burned that energy on the dance floor.

“I am into breakdancing,” Temps said.

The dancing was one aspect, but each room had something different.

Another event in Glenview at the Kohl’s Children Museum had a DJ-led disco party, complete with custom party hats and noisemakers.

Wherever families found time to celebrate, the goal was to kick off the new year the right way.

“We want to move into the new year with positive intentions. We want to work with our kids. We want to learn. We want to grow here at the museum,” Fallon said.

The fun does not stop here.

The DuPage Children’s Museum has winter activities that include an indoor skating rink that will be open through February.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like

Mexican migrant with record of assault, weapons charges released by NYC authorities

NYC Releases Mexican Migrant With Assault, Weapons Charge Record

A Mexican migrant convicted of assault, robbery, illegal gun possession and injuring…
Rosie O'Donnell considers return to New York from Dublin after blue wave of midterm election wins

Rosie O’Donnell Considers Leaving Dublin for New York After Blue Wave

Rosie O’Donnell is considering a return to the United States after celebrating…
LA mayor-elect Nithya Raman eyes Rick Cole to help tackle city crises

LA Mayor-Elect Nithya Raman Eyes Rick Cole to Tackle City Crises

Los Angeles Mayor-elect Nithya Raman is turning to longtime City Hall figures…
Trump Says Decision on Renewed Strikes Against Iran Coming ‘Soon’

Trump Says Decision on Renewed Iran Strikes Is Coming Soon

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would soon determine whether to…
Colorado police officer killed, 3 more officers wounded after suspect opens fire near bus in Lakewood

Colorado Officer Killed, 3 Wounded in Lakewood Bus Shooting

A Colorado police officer was killed and three others were wounded Thursday…
Top lawyer in DOJ's National Security Division abruptly resigns

Top DOJ National Security Division Lawyer Abruptly Resigns

John Eisenberg, the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for national security, resigned…
Trump signs proclamation declaring Oval Office a national monument

Trump Signs Proclamation Declaring the Oval Office a National Monument

President Trump on Thursday signed a proclamation declaring the Oval Office and…
MICHAEL RUIZ: California prosecutors revolt after Newsom orders state's worst killers off death row

California Prosecutors Challenge Newsom Order Removing Death Row’s Worst Killers

Soon after California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to commute the death…
Secret Service arrests armed Venezuelan migrant near White House over alleged Trump assassination threat

Armed Venezuelan Migrant Arrested Near White House Over Alleged Trump Assassination Threat

The suspect, Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, is an illegal alien from Venezuela.…
Trump's pick of Stephen Miller for chief of staff lights match in looming war with Democrats

Trump Picks Stephen Miller for Deputy Chief of Staff, Stoking Clash

WASHINGTON — The gloves are off, and President Trump is turning to…
Harrowing 911 calls after Florida mom was attacked by alligator revealed

Harrowing 911 Calls Reveal Florida Mom’s Alligator Attack

MIAMI — Distressing 911 calls capture the frantic moments after a Florida…
Newsom’s death row bombshell could give convicted killers a path to freedom, LA DA warns

Newsom’s Death Row Move Could Free Convicted Killers, LA DA Warns

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is cautioning that Gov. Gavin…