The best New Year’s Eve events and parties in Chicago

Get gussied up in formal wear and spend the last night of 2023 atop the world’s largest rooftop bar during this extravagant, all-inclusive New Year's Eve party at Offshore. Ticket packages include four hours of premium bars, passed appetizers, a midnight Champagne toast and live music to groove to all night long. Plus, with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier, you won't find many better places for watching the fireworks show at midnight. 

Drink and dance among 2,500 guests spread throughout eight rooms at the Congress Plaza Hotel's New Year's Eve Party, featuring DJ Maximo, DJ Commando, DJ ChiBassMafia and a host of other entertainers, plus a buffet and multiple bars (VIP ticketholders are granted additional perks, like access to balconies and Champagne). Make sure you have a drink in your hand for the balloon drop at midnight.

The Aon Grand Ballroom hosts Navy Pier's annual New Year's Eve party, which welcomes thousands of guests and is capped off with a midnight fireworks display. All attendees will enjoy a drink package, live DJs, two dance floors and party favors. If you're looking for even more perks, upgrade to a VIP ticket, which comes with an hors d'oeuvres buffet and open seating areas.

Dance the night away inside the grand ballroom of one of Chicago's most historic hotels. The party will feature multiple rooms with entertainment, an all-inclusive drink package, an appetizer buffet, cover band and DJ performances and a midnight celebration. VIP admission includes an extended open bar plus access to private areas.

Ring in the new year at Smartbar or Metro, as the Wrigleyville venues throw a joint bash featuring sets from Smartbar resident DJs and friends. DJs include Ariel Zetina, Bored Lord, Brenda and Queen! organizers Michael Serafini and Garrett David, and drag performers like Lucy Stoole and Nico act as hosts.

Party at one of Chicago's most well-known nightclubs at this two-floor New Year's Eve extravaganza featuring passed hors d'oeuvres, a four-hour cocktail reception and a midnight Champagne toast; plus, dance to music from DJs that will keep the party going into the new year. Note that attire is “celebratory chic,” so plan on dressing to impress.

Take in some of the best views of the skyline from the 21st floor lounge of riverfront hotel LondonHouse this year. Guests will enjoy music from live DJs and a violinist, a four-hour open bar, a dance floor and a midnight Champagne toast. When the clock strikes midnight, the Etoile terrace will provides direct sightlines of the city's fireworks display.

Party like Gatsby at this Roaring '20s-themed party held at Morgan MFG in the West Loop, a two-floor, industrial-chic venue that'll be packed with Champagne, photo booths, cocktails and more fun fit for celebrating this century's version of the '20s. You'll also get access to a pre-New Year's Eve party at Soundbar on December 30; VIP ticketholders are treated to upgraded drink options and a party area on the second floor mezzanine.

Spend the finals hours of 2023 at Flight Club, where you can play darts and enjoy a four-hour drink package, appetizer stations, live DJs, photo ops and a balloon drop at midnight. If you're looking to go all out, book a VIP table with bottle service.

You won't have to worry about getting your money's worth of drinks on New Year's Eve at the Foundation Room inside the House of Blues Chicago. The party will include a five-hour open bar plus light bites, plenty of photo ops and a midnight Champagne toast.

Say goodbye to 2023 at this riverside hotel party, where you'll find a buffet, a four-hour open bar, live DJs and tons of other fun attractions to help ring in the new year, including a huge midnight celebration. Spring for VIP tickets for premium drinks and access to more party areas, or book discounted hotel rooms for a convenient place to crash when the night's over.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with all the style and swagger of the Roaring 20s at this ballroom party hosted at the JW Marriott, where guests can party the night away with the help of a top shelf drinks package and rollicking cover band performances. Discounted hotel rooms (starting at $256 a night) are available, as are VIP tickets for a more luxurious experience. 

Get dressed up and head to the Hilton Chicago for a seven-room bash complete with martinis, Champagne, hors d'oeuvres, Kiss FM DJs, a buffet and thousands of revelers ready to ring in the new year with a midnight confetti storm. Upgrade to VIP for even more drinks and access to “gambling” at a Vegas-style casino—and if you don’t feel like going home, you can book a room upstairs.

Raise a toast to the new year aboard a yacht during this three-and-a-half-hour, all-inclusive cruise on the Chicago River. The ship departs from DuSable Harbor, and guests can sip drinks, munch on desserts and listen to music before catching the fireworks show above the water.

Hit the dance floor at this hotel New Year's party hosted by the W Chicago Hotel, where you'll find DJs, open bars, hotel deals and special midnight celebrations.

Looking to party until the wee hours of the morning? This late-night New Year's soiree at the Hard Rock Cafe goes until 4am and includes 4.5 hours of all-inclusive drinks and an appetizer buffet (it'll switch to a cash bar at 1:30am) along with music from local DJs. Group discounts are available, and you can also opt for VIP table service.  

Lakeview's aliveOne rings in the new year with festivities including an all-inclusive drink package and buffet courtesy of the Gilty Pig from 8pm until 3am—plus a Champagne toast when the clock turns at midnight.