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
Turkey’s NATO role under scrutiny amid new report on Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood ties

Turkey’s NATO Membership Questioned Following Revelations of Alleged Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood Connections

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: A recent analysis is casting a spotlight on Turkey’s…
Illinois Easter 2026 events: Weekend events, egg hunts held across Chicago area ahead of Easter Sunday

Discover the Best Easter 2026 Events and Egg Hunts Across the Chicago Area

In Chicago, the skies were dreary and rain fell intermittently on Saturday,…
Trump warns Iran has two days to open Strait of Hormuz, or face ‘hell’

Trump Issues Ultimatum: Iran Has 48 Hours to Open Strait of Hormuz or Face Severe Consequences

On Saturday, President Trump issued a stern ultimatum to Iran, declaring that…
Driver smashes into crowd atLouisiana Lao New Year, festival horror

Vehicle Plows into Crowd at Louisiana Lao New Year Festival, Sparking Horror

An alarming incident unfolded in New Iberia, Louisiana, on Saturday when a…
Massive manhunt underway in New Hampshire town after gunman allegedly wounds police officer, fires on family

Intense Manhunt in New Hampshire: Search for Gunman Who Allegedly Shot Officer and Targeted Family

Authorities at both the state and local levels are conducting an intensive…
Inside the secret California lives of niece, grandniece before ICE arrest

Unveiling the Hidden California Lives: Niece and Grandniece’s Journey Before Shocking ICE Arrest

In a recent dramatic turn of events, a Los Angeles renter found…
Gavin Newsom to spend $19M in taxpayer funds on New York PR firm to help polish California’s image

California Invests $19M in New York PR Firm to Enhance State’s National Image, Announces Governor Newsom

In a bid to enhance California’s national reputation, Governor Gavin Newsom is…
Ukraine used record 7K robot operations to fight off Russians in single month -- as frontline now resembles scene from 'Terminator'

Ukraine Deploys Record 7,000 Robotic Operations in a Month, Transforming Frontline into ‘Terminator’-Like Battlefield

Farewell, as the iconic phrase goes, “Hasta la vista, baby.” In a…
Hail Mary to save beloved Queens church rotting in a cemetery

Community Rallies to Restore Historic Queens Church Facing Decay

A neighborhood in Queens is hoping for a $6 million miracle to…
Artist fumes after tribute honoring slain Iryna Zarutska gets scrubbed amid woke blowback

Outrage Erupts as Tribute to Slain Artist Iryna Zarutska Faces ‘Woke’ Controversy

In Providence, Rhode Island, an artist tasked with creating a mural in…
Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Easter vigil, calls for harmony and peace in a world torn by war

Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Easter Vigil: A Call for Global Unity Amidst Conflict

Pope Leo XIV led a solemn yet hopeful Easter vigil on Saturday…
Hochul running mate Adrienne Adams funneled $435K to migrant shelter tied to federal probe

Hochul’s Deputy Adrienne Adams Allocates $435K to Migrant Shelter Under Federal Investigation

Former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is running alongside…