CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago city officials have unveiled exciting details for this year’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” set to take place downtown.
This marks a milestone for Chicago, as the city makes its debut appearance on the iconic New Year’s Eve broadcast, a staple of the holiday since 1972.
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The event will feature performances by Chance the Rapper, DJ Mike Dunn, DJ Mike P, J. Ivy, and Shemekia Copeland. The main stage will be located at the intersection of West Wacker Drive and North Franklin Street in the Loop, with festivities kicking off at 9 p.m.
A special audio-visual display, courtesy of ART on THE MART, will precede the performances, beginning at 7 p.m.
Chance the Rapper, who will also serve as a co-host, is set to perform a special countdown act just before the clock strikes midnight.
Attendees can enter the event from entrances at Wacker and Wells or Lake streets, with gates opening at 5 p.m.
The event is free, and no tickets are required.
All guests will be required to pass through security checkpoints and will be subject to bag checks, city officials said.
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For security reasons, guests are permitted to bring only bags sized 12″x6″x12″ or smaller through the checkpoints.
To protect public safety, gates will close once the event reaches capacity.
Additional viewing opportunities of the evening’s performances and the midnight fireworks display will be available on big-screen displays along Wacker between Lake and Wells.
Fireworks will be launched from bridges between Orleans and Columbus streets along the Riverwalk with the best vantage point from Upper Wacker Drive.
Wacker from Lake to Wells and the Orleans bridge will be closed beginning at 10 a.m. Dec. 31, and the Chicago River will be closed to boat traffic from Franklin to Columbus Drive from 11:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Franklin from Lake to Wacker will close at 10 a.m. Dec. 29.
Additional street closures will go into effect on the following bridges at 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31: Dearborn Street Bridge, Clark Street Bridge, LaSalle Street Bridge, Wabash Street Bridge and Columbus Bridge.
Public transportation is recommended to reach the celebration.
CTA trains and buses will be free from 10 p.m. Dec. 31, until 4 a.m. Jan. 1.
But attendees can reserve discounted parking at Millennium Garages for the New Year’s Eve Celebrations.
Visit Millennium Garages to pre-purchase parking online and save up to 20% off daily and extended stay rates.
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026” airs Dec. 31, on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. and the next day on Hulu.
