CHICAGO — Amid all the New Year’s bashes and ball drops coming up, there’s also a holiday bar crawl, lots of comedy shows, a sparkling wine tasting tour and more this weekend.
If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate the new year, Block Club rounded up 37 ways to ring in 2024 this weekend — from midnight parties to theater shows.
Here’s a roundup of 14 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Light of Christmas Drive-Thru
5-9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Guaranteed Rate Field, 333 W. 35th St.; entrance is at 3326 S. Wentworth Ave.
Christmas may be over, but the lights aren’t going down just yet. Drive through this iconic lights display — made up of 1 million smart LED lights and many whimsical installations — while staying cozy in your own car through the weekend. Admission is $39.99 online.
Holiday Bar Crawl
5-9 p.m. Thursday, 3-10 p.m. Friday and 1-10 p.m. Saturday
Wrigleyville Wonderland, 3518 N. Clark St.
Keep your holiday spirits high with a crawl through Wrigleyville bars — end up at the Christkindlmarket. Stops include Bamboo Club, Moe’s Cantina, Old Crow Smokehouse, Almost Home Tavern and more. Tickets are $19.99 online.
Sip, Shop & Workshop
6-8 p.m. Friday
The Haitian American Museum of Chicago, 4654 N. Racine Ave.
Celebrate museum staff, volunteers and friends with this December bash at the museum’s new Vodou gift shop. There will be a Tarot Card workshop, lights bites and drinks. Tickets are free (but limited) online.
The Laser Comedy Show: Santa Vs. Frosty
7 p.m. (all ages) and 9 p.m. (18+) Friday
The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Things get complicated when Frosty the Snowman’s spirit gets entangled with Santa Claus’ new high-tech workshop. Watch this magical and comedic face-off go down with black light lasers, music, audience interaction and more. General admission tickets are $16-23 online.
Winter White Ladies Night Comedy Bash
7-10 p.m. Friday
345 Art Gallery, 345 N. Kedzie Ave.
This comedy night is for the ladies. Don your favorite white outfit and laugh along with four comedians: host Lady Lunchabelle, Mo Good, Jordan Gamby and Tara Terry. Tickets are $30 online.
Vibe Check: Chicago!
9-10:30 p.m. Friday and 9:30-11 p.m. Saturday
The Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The show has sold out in Los Angeles, New York and the Glasgow International Comedy Festival — and now it’s come to Chicago. Chicago-born and NYC-based comedian Clay Horowitz is headlining this weekend’s show featuring comedians under 30 for two nights this weekend, with giveaways, audience games and more. General admission tickets are $10 online.
Jingle All The Way Character Breakfast
Noon-3 p.m. Saturday
MLK Skating and Bowling Center, 1219 W. 76th St.
Bowl, skate and enjoy breakfast with a special holiday character ahead of the new year. Admission and bowling are $12 and skate and shoe rentals are $4.
Sparkling Wine Tasting Tour
5:30-7 p.m. Saturday
Eataly, 43 E. Ohio St.
Pop open bottles of wine and pair them with antipasti during this guided tasting tour at Eataly. Tickets are $75 online.
Marz Brewing’s Big Anniversary-EE Party
8-11:59 p.m. Saturday
Marz Community Brewing, 3630 S. Iron St.
Celebrate the local brewery with hot brass jams, food, drinks, dancing, merch and more at this party featuring Environmental Encroachment, which uses performance art and theatrics to create unique entertainment environments. Costumes are encouraged. This party is free and open to all ages.
NNAMDÏ & Friends: Monobody
9 p.m. Saturday
Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave.
Catch Chicago musician NNAMDÏ perform with post-rock band Monobody. Tickets to the 21+ show are $20 online.
Wine & Vinyl
9 p.m. Saturday
Bronzeville Winery, 4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Sip on wine and enjoy a blend of of hip-hop, R&B, soul music and more at this inaugural 21+ event at Bronzeville Winery. Tickets are available online.
Denise Thimes: New Year’s Celebration
8 p.m. Sunday-12:30 a.m. Monday
Winter’s Jazz Club, 465 N. McClurg Ct.
Spend New Year’s Eve with the internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Denise Thimes. Tickets start at $15 online, complete with a complimentary champagne toast.
Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Tour
8:30-10:30 p.m. Sunday
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Dr.
Classically trained musician Lindsey Stirling is bringing her electronic violin to Chicago for her latest “Snow Waltz” album tour. Tickets start at $49 online.
NNAMDÏ & Friends: Stress Positions
10 p.m. Sunday
Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave.
Chicago punk band Stress Positions will open up NNAMDÏ’s New Year’s Eve Show this weekend. Tickets are $25 online.
PLUS: Six Picks From Our Partners At 
Zedd
7 p.m. Friday
Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, 840 E. Grand Ave.
Party on Friday with “chart-topping sensation, and electronic music wizard” Zedd at Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Do312 is also hooking up a lucky winner with VIP tickets and a Zedd merch pack. Enter to win!
NGHTMRE
10 p.m. Friday
TAO Chicago, 632 N. Dearborn St.
Drop by TAO Chicago on Friday for a show from North Coast headliner, NGHTMRE.
Andrew Schulz
7 p.m. Saturday
The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.
Come be captivated by the hilarious Andrew Schulz this Saturday at The Chicago Theatre.
Battle of the Saxes
8 p.m. Saturday
The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway St.
Head to The Green Mill for a night of jazz featuring a variety of talents with Battles of the Saxes.
Shrek Rave
5 p.m. Sunday
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St.
Cap off 2023 on a high with Shrek Rave at House of Blues.
NYE Bash
9 p.m. Sunday
Punch Bowl Social, 310 N. Green St.
Head to Punch Bowl Social for champagne, food, a dance party and more as you celebrate the highs of 2023 and the dawn of the new year.
Support Local News!
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? Click here to gift a subscription, or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:
