Chicago announces New Year’s Eve fireworks display

Chicago will light up with fireworks on New Year’s Eve, as Mayor Lori Lightfoot has announced a 1.5 mile-long midnight fireworks display on the lakefront and Chicago River to ring in 2022. The event will present the biggest display of fireworks in Chicago’s history.

“I’m thrilled that we are able to welcome back our New Year’s Eve fireworks and hope to continue this tradition into the future,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “Importantly, the display can be viewed outdoors where the spread of COVID-19 is less likely, so our residents and visitors should feel comfortable while masking up and social distancing or even watching safely from home. I look forward to welcoming a happy new year.”

The fireworks will take off from eight different launch sites on the Chicago River and in Lake Michigan by Navy Pier. The sparkling lights display will be visible for miles.

Attendees will be able to watch the fireworks for free. For details about specific locations to watch the fireworks, visit Chicago New Year’s Eve’s official website.

“This will be the largest fireworks display in the City’s history and one of the largest anywhere in the world,” Arena Partners CEO, John Murray, said in a statement. Arena Partners is producing the event following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is so great that the City is open again and welcoming people back to our fantastic hotels, restaurants, and cultural institutions,” Murray added.

Those who won’t be able to attend the event will be able to watch the display live on NBC 5 Chicago’s “A Very Chicago New Year” program, which starts at 11:08 p.m. The show will also be streamed live on the NBC Chicago app and broadcast through NBC Chicago’s free apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple.

For more information about the New Year’s Eve fireworks and event details, head to NYEBlast.com.