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As 2023 draws to a close, there’s plenty to do as we ring in the new year, including many ways to see fireworks for free.
Suitable for audiences of all ages, this annual holiday tradition features a full orchestra, European singers and dancers from the Austrian Europaballet.
Dec. 30, 2:30 p.m., Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets $35-$147 cso.org
IO Theater opens in New York from 7pm-10pm with seven productions including live drag performances, sketch, improvisation and musical comedy. Then, there will be an after-New Year party with DJ Skoli from 22:00 in the evening until 02:00 in the evening.
7 p.m. Dec. 31, iO Theatre, 1501 N. Kingsbury St.; general admission tickets are $30, VIP tickets are $90. ci.ovationtix.com and (312) 300-3350
Enjoy festive, whimsical and hilarious two-minute games, ending with a midnight countdown and a celebratory toast. Then join the post-show dance party with refreshments from midnight until 2pm.
Doors open at 22.00, the show starts at 23.00. Dec. 31 at The Neo-Futurist Theatre, 5153 N. Ashland; tickets $25-$35 neofuturists.org
Head to Navy Pier early on New Year’s Eve to score a spot for the lakeside fireworks display at midnight in 2024.
11:59 p.m. Dec. 31, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; free, for more information: Navypier.org
Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and March for Special Events and the Arts are partnering on this New Year’s celebration. A special projection will be displayed at The Mart starting at 19:30. The night will end with a fireworks display from six bridges over the Chicago River, starting at midnight.
Dec. 31, 7:30 a.m., best viewed from the Riverwalk on Wacker Drive from McClurg Court to Franklin Street; free, for more information: chicago.gov
The classically trained musician/songwriter/dancer/author known for entertaining audiences with his electronic violin is bringing his “Snow Waltz” tour to Chicago. His latest album features holiday classics and original songs.
8:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.; tickets $49 auditoriumtheatre.org
The historic Ramova Theater returns with its first big event in decades: a 1920s-themed New Year’s party. During the night, there will be a live jazz band with musical director Akenya, dance performances choreographed by Empress Darling Shear, and DJ sets by Slo ‘Mo’s VITIGRRL and Icey Bby.
9 p.m. Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.; tickets $55-$125 ramovachicago.com
The New Year’s Eve extravaganza at this dinner circus experience includes a feather boa for all guests, a post-show aerial act by Cassie Cutler, a countdown hosted by Lucy Darling, and dancing until 1 a.m.
20:00 December 31, Teatro ZinZanni, 32 W. Randolph St. 14th floor; tickets $219-$274 zinzanni.com
The New Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring soprano Alisa Jordheim and tenor Jesse Donner, will perform Strauss waltzes and polkas, arias, light classical music, pop melodies and film scores.
Dec. 31 at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. at the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Center for the Arts, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn; tickets $76-87 atthemac.org
This group continues the tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve in Chicago. This year they are performing with local indie rock band Sybris.
10 p.m. Dec. 31, Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St.; tickets $35 bottomlounge.com