COLD New Year's Eve in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands packed Navy Pier for the big countdown to 2018, but because of the bitter cold getting to the big party required some extra planning.

"Layers, lots and lots and lots of layers," said Kari Beckerman Faber, visiting from Florida.

Believe it or not - a couple actually flew to Chicago from Florida to ring in the New Year, knowing full well it'd feel a whole lot different from the sunshine state.

"We had been in Florida and it just didn't feel like New Years without it being cold and we found these incredible flight deals to come see my best friend so here we are," Kari Beckerman Faber.

"It's amazing, Chicago is a beautiful city and I'm here with my wife, she pitched the idea you want to go spend New Year's there I was like whatever yeah lets go," said Yoni Faber.

Thousands packed Navy Pier for the big countdown to 2018, but because of the bitter cold getting to the big party required some extra planning.

Those braving the elements were bundled up - ready to countdown to 2018 as the temperatures continued to drop by the hour. With an official reading of Zero degrees just before midnight this marks the coldest New Year's Eve in Chicago since 1969.

"Now that we got the Chicago hats, you bet! It's chilly but we're good," said Trevis Dawidowicz.

At the stroke of midnight... The pier featured the city's only firework show hoping the people will come, despite that biting wind-chill.

"This is one of the coldest we've had in a while it is unfortunate however the celebrations will continue the show must go on," said Payal Patel, Spokesperson for Navy Pier.

Earlier on Sunday at the Chicago Children's Museum kids and their families marked the end of 2017 with a "Noon" Year's Eve celebration...complete with noisemakers and confetti...a similar site what will be happening at the stroke of midnight at Navy Pier

It will be a very cold start to the New Year in Chicago.

"We've got parties in grand ballroom and the crystal gardens and those are both indoors so people will be plenty warm," said Payal Patel.

Visitors to the pier Sunday were all bundled up prepping themselves for the celebrations when the sun goes down... along with the temperatures.

"We're going to embrace the cold. I think we're prepared. We're going to be Ubering instead of walking tonight," said Danielle Paquette

"A lot of Ubers, a lot of layers and bundle up, double the socks!," said Trevis Dawidowicz..