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New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 in Chicago: Noon Year's Eve, Parties, Skating

The Ice Slide at Light Up the Lake. Photo courtesy of the event.
The Ice Slide at Light Up the Lake. Photo courtesy of the event.
12/26/24 - By Siobhan Adcock

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

2024 went by fast, and we're excited to see what 2025 will bring. Kids can celebrate New Year's or Noon Year's this weekend in Chicago with a family-friendly countdown that accommodates different nap times at Wonder Works in Oak Park, a performance by the Blue Man Group in Lakeview, or a game of WhirlyBall in Lincoln Park or Naperville. Kwanzaa is in full swing, and families can celebrate at Dan Ryan Woods. The Harlem Globetrotters bring their brand of basketball wizardry to the Credit Union 1 Arena on Thursday, December 26. 

Winter break stretches through the first week of the year, so if you need something to do, check out our list of winter break events. If winter weather cooperates in January, check out our lists of outdoor skating rinks and snow tubing hills.

Here are our top picks for events to attend with your kids this weekend.

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Join in on the New Year's Eve fun at Enchanted Castle. Photo courtesy of the venue.
Join in on the New Year's Eve fun at Enchanted Castle. Photo courtesy of the venue.

Things To Do New Year's Weekend in Chicago with Kids

Harlem Globetrotters in Chicago

West Loop
Thursday, December 26
You'll love the dunks, alley-oops, looooong shots, magic, history and laughs! Don’t miss your chance to see what fans love about the Harlem Globetrotters plus more as the world-famous Globetrotters level-up every game with all-new, exciting challenges in 2025! NEW year, NEW global tour, NEW challenges! Same Globetrotters you LOVE!   READ MORE

Teenie Weenie New Year's Eve Ball

Carol Stream
Friday, December 27
Kids who are too little to stay up until midnight can count down to a noon balloon drop at this party for parents and children. Activities include a bounce house, games, crafts, and a balloon drop. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Palos Heights

Palos Heights
Tuesday, December 31
Little revelers who can't make it to midnight can watch the ball drop at noon at the Palos Heights Recreation Center. Festivities include crafts, games, a bounce house, and food. READ MORE

Kwanzaa Celebration at Dan Ryan Woods

South Side
Tuesday, December 31
Celebrate community, honor Pan-African Heritage and embrace the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Learn and practice Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujaama (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose),Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Unity)  during the week following Christmas. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Party at Naperville Public Libraries

Naperville
Tuesday, December 31
Can't make it until midnight? Visit the Naper Boulevard Library, Nichols Library or 95th Street Library for Noon Year's crafts and surprises. The event will be limited to 140 people and tickets will be handed out at the library on the day of the event. READ MORE

Winter Play Day at Crabtree Nature Center

Barrington Hills
Sunday, December 29
Outdoor and indoor family fun take over Crabtree Nature Center with a variety of stations. Families can discover seasonal nature through the self-directed activities at activity stations throughout the center. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Celebration at Bubbles Academy

Gold Coast
Monday, December 30
Toddlers and preschoolers can ring in the new year early at Bubbles Academy. Make your own crown and party down at a bubble-filled finale at the Magnificent Mile, Bucktown or Highland Park locations. READ MORE

Frozen Double Feature at West Pullman Library

West Pullman
Saturday, December 28
Kids can enjoy a classic double feature of Frozen and Frozen II to celebrate the final days of 2024 at West Pullman Library. The event is part of the Community Cinema series that is bringing hundreds of movies to libraries across Chicago. READ MORE

Kukla, Fran and Ollie Days

Old Town
Thursday, December 26- Monday, December 30
The Chicago History Museum presents newly digitized episodes of the kitschy '50s puppet show Kukla, Fran and Ollie in its Robert R. McCormick Theater. After kids watch these fun episodes their grandparents once enjoyed, they can meet the real-life Madame Ooglepuss on the museum's second floor. READ MORE

Blue Man Group Chicago’s New Year's Eve Performances

Lakeview
Tuesday, December 31
Blue Man Group invites guests to celebrate the New Year with festive New Year’s Eve performances Sunday, December 31 at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, and 10pm.at the Briar Street Theatre (3133 N. Halsted). Families with young children can take advantage of Blue Man Group’s performances at 1 and 4pm. These shows feature early “midnight” countdowns after the show, complete with party hats, noisemakers, and a special performance of Auld Lang Syne by the Blue Men. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Wonder Works

Oak Park
Tuesday, December 31
Dress up in something sparkly and celebrate New Year's Eve at Wonder Works children's museum. The event features New Year's crafts, a balloon drop, encounters with costumed characters, and a fun photo booth. Wonder Works offers two countdown times at 11am, and 1pm to accommodate all of the nap times. READ MORE

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield
Daily through Tuesday, December 31
Featuring more than a million LED lights, a 41-foot talking Christmas tree, and a 600-foot tunnel of lights with coordinating music, Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic highlights the holidays and loads of animals. READ MORE

Skating in the Park and New Year's Eve Fireworks

Rosemont
Tuesday, December 31
Skate the night away leading up to fireworks at midnight at Parkway Bank Park. The full-size rink will be lit up with spectacular lights. Call or check the venue's social media for any weather-related closings. READ MORE

WhirlyBall Family Fun New Year's Eve Party

Lincoln Park and Naperville Tuesday, December 31
Have fun playing WhirlyBall and Laser Tag with your family leading up to the new year. A pizza lunch buffet and unlimited games provide fun for all ages. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Party at Enchanted Castle

Lombard
Tuesday, December 31
Ring in 2025 at Chicago’s greatest New Year’s Eve family party on Tuesday, December 31 from 6 to 10 pm. Enjoy a New Year’s buffet, including soft drinks and dessert, plus each paid guest receives $15 in game play, unlimited select video games, four hours of unlimited go-karts, laser tag, miniature golf, bumper cars, catapult thrill ride and Quest II Adventure Playland plus a balloon drop, party favors, New Year’s sparkling cider toast, and countdown celebration. Advance reservations are required. READ MORE

Light Up the Lake

Downtown
Daily through January 5
Enjoy an indoor winter wonderland at Navy Pier, complete with indoor light sculpture displays, ice skating, and visits with Santa. Guests can also enjoy Santa's Merry Main Street gift market and ride the iconic Navy Pier Ferris wheel. Roast marshmallows for s'mores around a fire pit or make someone a gift at a holiday workshop. New in 2024 are drone shows lighting up the sky over Lake Michigan and a two-story ice slide. READ MORE

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Hyde Park
Daily through January 5
The Museum of Science and Industry hosts its dazzling annual Christmas tree exhibit, where guests can enjoy decorated trees inspired by customs and cultures from countries all around the world.  READ MORE

Naperville Yard New Year's Eve Pajama Party

Naperville
Tuesday, December 31
Count down to the new year with games, inflatables, food, and a raffle at Naperville Yard. A juice box countdown will ring in the last noon of 2024. READ MORE

DuPage Children's Museum Bubble Bash

Naperville
Tuesday, December 31
Kids can ring in the new year with their choice of bubbles, confetti, a music launch, or a quiet countdown at the DuPage Children's Museum's annual year-end celebration. Kids can enjoy creating wearable art, DIY confetti poppers, or 2D or 3D bubble wands. They can also visit Sensoryland, take part in a fluorescent adventure, or visit the photo booth. READ MORE

Lakeview Community Menorah Lighting

Lakeview
Thursday, December 26
Celebrate Chanukah with the whole family at Chabad East Lakeview. Kick off Night Two with children's activities, a performance from the Jesse White Tumblers, and the Grand Menorah Lighting followed by a gelt drop from a fire truck. The event also includes latkes, donuts, hot cocoa, live music, and Chanukah crafts. READ MORE
Kids can explore the slime at the Sloomoo Institute in Chicago. Photo by Lauren LaRoche
Kids can explore the slime at the Sloomoo Institute in Chicago. Photo by Lauren LaRoche

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