The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Choose Chicago announced new details regarding Chicago’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, including planned events, transportation options, road closures, safety precautions and amenities for residents and tourists who wish to attend the event in person.  Opening at 5 p.m., event entrances are located on Wacker Drive at the corner of Wells or Lake Street. The event is free and open to the public, with no advance ticket registration required. All guests will be required to pass through security checkpoints and will be subject to bag checks. 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. 

Due to related road closures, public transportation is recommended to reach the celebration. For safety and convenience, CTA trains and buses will be free from 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, until 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1.  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.  Wacker Drive from Lake to Wells and Orleans St. Bridge will be closed beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, and the Chicago River will be closed to boat traffic from Franklin to Columbus from 11:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1. Franklin St. from Lake St. to Wacker Dr. will close on Monday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. Additional street closures will go into effect on the following bridges on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 11:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.chicago.gov.