Chicago's gearing up for a jam-packed New Year's Eve, complete with dazzling fireworks displays at Navy Pier and along the riverfront to welcome 2024. It's a full day of festivities; replete with the Chicago Bears clashing with the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field, and a morning 5K to work off those holiday treats.
According to the City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications, safety is the top priority, amid the excitement. They encourage the public to stay alert, and if something's off, "If you See Something Say Something." That advice isn't just a catchy phrase, it's part of a national campaign against terrorism. For Chicagoans and visitors alike, getting around might be tricky with expected heavy traffic. The city's got TCAs lined up to manage the congestion, but hey, public transport's your best bet for a smoother ride to the action.
The spectacle of the night, the fireworks show along the Riverwalk, is kicking off at midnight and is viewable from Upper Wacker Drive. Before the sky lights up, attendees can direct their gaze to Art on the Mart for their fifth anniversary projections starting at 7:30 p.m. Just remember, a handful of bridges will be on lockdown from 11:45 p.m. until the wee hours of 12:15 a.m., so plan accordingly. For more intel on what's going down, and where, the city's got the scoop on their website.
And then there's Navy Pier, bidding adieu to 2023 with their ten-minute pyrotechnic show, synced up with the riverfront. It's the hot spot for New Year's activities, but it's also your last chance to catch the Light Up The Lake event, a good start before the main event at midnight. For those looking to run into 2024, the New Year's Eve 5K kicks off at 8 a.m., with an eye on closing the course at 9:30 a.m., a jaunty way to round out the year.
Mother Nature's whims are always in play, so OEMC's got Chicagoans covered with weather updates and warnings. They're pushing for everyone to download the Chicago OEMC App—a one-stop shop for winter preparedness, snowplow trackers, and real-time weather radar. As for getting first dibs on emergency notifications, that's where NotifyChicago comes into the picture. Text alerts for lakefront news, business impacts, or COVID-19 updates are just a text away, keeping locals in the loop on all fronts.
