Celebrate New Year's Eve in…Chicago?

chicago

Chicago has announced a new New Year's Eve celebration, Chi-Town Rising, that aims to put the city on the map of worldwide New Year's Eve celebrations. 

Chicago will ring in 2016 with a televised festival, featuring headliner musical acts on multiple stages, a countdown to 2016 at Hyatt Regency Chicago and a fireworks show. 

The heart of the celebration is the Chicago River between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, anchored by multiple stages of musical entertainment on the north and south sides of the river, and a midnight countdown featuring a giant Chicago star rising skyward to meet the New Year. To ring in the New Year, a midnight countdown featuring a giant Chicago star will ascend 36 stories up the West Tower of Hyatt Regency Chicago, and a fireworks show will provide a dazzling climax for the evening’s entertainment.

NBC 5 Chicago will broadcast the event, which will be free to the public, with opportunities for private events and experiences coordinated through restaurants, bars and hotels in the area. Information regarding the full talent line-up, activities, private event access, and more will be shared in the coming weeks.

Chi-Town Rising, which is privately funded and is being produced by Arena Partners, has the support of Choose Chicago and the Illinois Office of Tourism.