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
House Republicans poised to reject Senate-passed DHS funding bill: 'Shouldn't have left town'

House Republicans Set to Oppose Senate’s DHS Funding Bill: Criticism Over Timing Surfaces

WASHINGTON — House Republicans are gearing up to oppose a funding bill…
Pima County deputy accused of kidnapping woman in custody, fired from department investigating Guthrie case

Pima County Deputy Terminated Amid Kidnapping Allegations in Guthrie Investigation

An Arizona sheriff’s deputy has been dismissed from his position following serious…
'Crooked, evil' NYC caterer says he's a 'protected class' — because he's Sicilian

New York City Caterer Asserts Sicilian Heritage Qualifies Him as a ‘Protected Class’ Amid Controversy

A prominent catering magnate from Staten Island, accused of orchestrating a widespread…
Zelenskyy claims US tied Ukraine security guarantees to giving up Donbas, White House denies

Zelenskyy’s Bold Accusation: Did the US Demand Ukraine Surrender Donbas for Security Assurances?

In a recent interview with Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that…
Biden adopts two puppies after his previous dogs terrorized White House personnel 

Biden Welcomes Two New Puppies to the White House After Previous Dog Drama

Joe Biden, the former President, along with his wife Jill, recently welcomed…
At least 2 students killed, several injured in school bus crash in Tennessee: 'A parent's worst nightmare'

Tragic Tennessee School Bus Crash Claims Lives of Two Students, Leaves Several Injured

Tragedy struck in West Tennessee on Friday when a school bus was…
Teen mobs swarm downtown in chaotic takeover—fights erupt, cars targeted before curfew crackdown hits

Teen Groups Overwhelm Downtown, Engaging in Fights and Vandalism Before Curfew Enforcement Begins

A large gathering of teenagers in downtown Chicago spiraled into chaos on…
The race against time to destroy Iran’s illicit nuclear weapons program heats up amid fresh strikes

Escalating Efforts to Dismantle Iran’s Illicit Nuclear Program Amid Recent Strikes

The Iranian regime’s continued possession of critical sites and materials for nuclear…
House Republicans pass stopgap DHS funding bill after rejecting Senate version 

House Republicans Approve New DHS Funding Plan, Dismiss Senate Proposal

In a late-night decision, House Republicans approved a temporary funding bill on…
Sen. Rand Paul considering 2028 White House run: '50-50'

Sen. Rand Paul Weighs 2028 Presidential Bid, Says Odds are ’50-50

Kentucky’s Republican Senator, Rand Paul, is contemplating a run for the presidency…
Illegal immigrant confesses to 2 cold-blooded murders months apart: report

Undocumented Immigrant Admits to Involvement in Two Separate Homicides: Report

An undocumented immigrant has been charged with multiple offenses after allegedly admitting…
Sheridan Gorman's university newspaper touts ICE tracker after freshman allegedly murdered by illegal alien

University Newspaper Spotlights ICE Tracker Following Freshman Tragedy Linked to Undocumented Immigrant

Over a week has passed since the tragic murder of Loyola University…