Streeterville’s Best New Year’s Events

By Elizabeth Czapski | Staff Writer

For some, an ideal New Year’s means sitting at home in pajamas, watching the ball drop on TV. For others, New Year’s is the perfect time to attend a party and if it is parties one seeks then Streeterville has the answer—or answers. Whether you want to go out on a boat, eat your way into the New Year or just want to spend some time with the kids, there is something for every taste in Streeterville.

Spirit of Chicago Eve of the Eve Dinner Cruise

Who doesn’t like a party on a boat? Say goodbye to 2018 on a Lake Michigan Cruise aboard the Spirit of Chicago with a holiday buffet and champagne. Welcome the new year a day early while gazing at Chicago’s twinkling skyline from a spot out on the lake.

Dec. 30, 6-9:30 p.m., $79.90, Spirit of Chicago, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., (312) 222-2508, entertainmentcruises.com

New Year’s Eve Party at The Drake

Get fancy and dance-y at one of Streeterville’s historic hotels. The 19th Annual Chicago Scene New Year’s Eve Party will have 2,000 guests, 40 fully-staffed bars, local DJs, hors d’oeuvres, a balloon drop at midnight, and more for an unforgettable start to 2019.

Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., tickets start at $149, The Drake, 140 E. Walton Place, (312) 787-2200, thedrakehotel.com

New Year’s Eve at Eataly

If you tend to go to parties for the food, you’re in luck. Eataly is throwing the perfect New Year’s party for food-lovers with fresh pasta, pizza and alpine fare like melted cheese and red wine, desserts, cocktails and a live band. Tickets include unlimited food, drinks and entertainment.

Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m., $125, Eataly Chicago, 43 E. Ohio St., (312) 521-8700, eataly.com

Resolution Gala

Get glammed up and head to Navy Pier for the New Year’s experience of a lifetime or at least of the year. Appetizers, drinks, dancing and fireworks await you in Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom, which can fit more than 2,000 people. At midnight, there will be a confetti shower and a toast to the new year.

Dec. 31-Jan. 1, the event is 21 and over, 8:15 p.m. – 2 a.m., $119, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave, (312) 595-7437, navypier.org

Fireworks at the Lake

Bring in 2019 with a bang. Navy Pier’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show presented by Miller Lite starts at the stroke of midnight.

Jan. 1, 12-12:15 a.m., free, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave, (312) 595-7437, navypier.org

Chicago Children’s Museum Noon Year’s Eve

Wild New Year’s parties probably aren’t the best places to bring kids, but luckily, the Chicago Children’s Museum has got the little ones covered. Crafts and a confetti drop at noon make for a fun, kid-friendly event that doesn’t have them staying up all night.

Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m., admission $14.95, Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave., 312-527-1000, chicagochildrensmuseum.org