New Year's Eve Chicago: List of area parties, celebrations and fireworks displays

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The anticipation has been building as each hour passes.

Everyone has been waiting for the fresh start of 2024 and those beautiful fireworks that kick it all off in the Loop on Sunday night.

Chicago police say they were prepared for the New Year's celebrations, a Bears game Sunday and a planned protest downtown.

Deputy Chief John Hein, incident commander for downtown New Year's Eve celebrations, said there is an adequate number of officers who will be deployed in and around the loop. He said only some officers had their days off canceled, depending on their assigned unit, but were notified ahead of time.

Officers will also patrol the public transit system while violence interrupters are already at work in neighborhoods to make sure revelers enjoy the holiday safely.

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"We ask everyone, please, ensure that you have a safe night and if you're going to celebrate, do that responsibly. And, make sure you have a designated driver, if need be," Hein said.

Some street closures are already in place near the bridges as of 9 p.m. Sunday, and plenty of families were already lined up along the Riverwalk for the perfect view of it all.

The city of Chicago is set to ring 2024 in fashion. The city has been packed on Sunday night as people settle into their New Year's Eve celebration plans.

A dazzling fireworks display will cast its glow across the lakefront to welcome 2024. The best views to catch the show are along the Chicago River or at Navy Pier. The city will close six bridges along Wacker Drive so people can enjoy the midnight display.

Families came together to take it all in.

"First, we came to see the lights. We might catch a train later just, like, to look around the city," said Chicago resident Om Patel. "And then, we're probably going to go see some fireworks at the river."

The Riverwalk celebration also includes some highlighting of Art on The Mart's five years of programming.

The evening celebrations come after the morning snowfall that impacted some travel plans. But now, there's just some frigid temperatures that Chicagoans are used to around this time of year. That's not enough to stop these families from ringing in the New Year together.

"It's really nice, especially with family, you know?" Patel said. "It's great just hanging out with them, seeing all these lights and everything around the city."

Over in Lincoln Park, the zoo also bringing in families with special lights, live music as well as some activities for the kids.

One of the biggest parties of the night is happening at Navy Pier.

More than 3,000 people are expected to pack the AON Grand Ballroom. There are eight DJs expected there on Sunday night, and the setup is spread out across two rooms. Organizers feel like a special night is in store.

"It's a lovely venue I mean look at this thing. It's sexy, and such history there. It's going to be fantastic," said event organizer Patrick Boyd.

Hein encouraged people to take advantage of free CTA rides as part of the "Miller Lite Free Rides" program from 10 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. New Year's Day.

If you live in the suburbs, Pace will also offer free rides from from 10 p.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday. That includes both the Pace connect and para-transit services.

Metra will also offer free rides out of the city starting at 6 p.m.

Chicago-area New Year's Eve celebrations

• Crown Point Kids NYE

Noon to 3 p.m., 101 W Burrell Dr, Crown Point, Indiana.

4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., 2400 N Cannon Dr, Chicago.

7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., 3434 Central St, Evanston.

7:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m., Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago.

8 p.m. start, 119th Street and Atchinson Avenue, Whiting, Indiana.

8 p.m. start, 17400 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park.

• Chicago Time Out Market NYE Party

8 p.m. to 2 a.m., 916 W Fulton Market, Chicago.

9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Navy Pier Grand Ballroom, Chicago.

9 p.m. start, (11 p.m. Sugar Ray concert), 5400 W 29th Ave, Gary, Indiana.

9 p.m. start, 111 W Wacker Drive and 230 N Clark St, Chicago.

9 p.m. start, 3520 S Halsted, Chicago.