Children ring in 2026 in early New Year's Eve events across Chicago area, including Naperville DuPage Children's Museum
Share this @internewscast.com

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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Senate approves funding for TSA and most of Homeland Security, but not immigration enforcement

Senate Greenlights Funding for TSA and Majority of Homeland Security, Omits Immigration Enforcement

In a significant move, the Senate in the early hours of Friday…
Disgraced cop Kelsey Fitzsimmons receives stunning verdict from judge

Judge Delivers Shocking Verdict in Kelsey Fitzsimmons Case: Disgraced Officer Faces Consequences

A Massachusetts judge recently acquitted a former police officer of attempting to…
Harvard students earn course credit helping asylum seekers as critics calls school 'bastion of woke activism'

Harvard Student Reports Jewish Classmates Feeling ‘Unwelcome’ Amidst Impending Multibillion-Dollar DOJ Lawsuit

A Harvard student has expressed concerns that Jewish students are feeling “unwelcome”…
What We Voted For: Sean Duffy Takes on 'Woke' Roadways in Timely Reminder to Governors, State DOTs

Duffy Alerts White House Cabinet to Critical Oversight Issues in CDL School Management Under Team Biden

Recently, the alarming tales of Americans losing their lives due to unqualified,…
Brother, sister indicted in connection to 'improvised explosive' found at MacDill AFB

Siblings Charged in MacDill AFB Improvised Explosive Case: Breaking Details Revealed

Just two days after allegedly planting an explosive device, federal authorities report…
Detroit pedophile Jarvis Butts who murdered teen he groomed and impregnated dies by suicide in prison

Detroit Convicted Pedophile Jarvis Butts Commits Suicide in Prison After Teen’s Tragic Death

In a tragic turn of events, a Detroit man convicted of heinous…
San Francisco fire crews rescue woman clinging to cliff above crashing waves

Daring San Francisco Rescue: Fire Crews Save Woman from Cliffside Peril Above Tumultuous Ocean Waves

In a dramatic rescue on Wednesday, San Francisco fire crews helped a…
US removes Iran's top two negotiators from 'kill list' — for now

US Temporarily Lifts Target Status on Iran’s Lead Negotiators

In a strategic move aimed at preserving potential diplomatic breakthroughs, the United…
New Jersey middle school teacher charged with child sex assault after alleged sexual relationship with student

New Jersey Middle School Teacher Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault of Student

A former middle school educator from New Jersey has been taken into…
Revolutionary Tourism: Inside the $600M marriage of dark money and far-left agitprop

Revolutionizing Tourism: Unveiling the $600M Intersection of Dark Money and Far-Left Advocacy

In Part 4 of a series by Fox News Digital, we delve…
The triggering comments from Kimmel that had Trump taking aim

Jimmy Kimmel’s Provocative Remarks Ignite Fiery Response from Donald Trump

Once again, President Donald Trump has directed his ire towards late-night host…
Iran rejects Trump's 15-point cease-fire plan, makes own demands

Iran Dismisses Trump’s 15-Point Ceasefire Proposal, Sets Forth Its Own Conditions

On Wednesday, Iran firmly dismissed President Trump’s proposed 15-point peace plan and…