Last night was easily the best New Year’s Eve I’ve experienced. New Year’s Eve can be a tricky night—high expectations, coordinating plans, and arranging transportation make it easy for things to go wrong—but this time everything came together perfectly. The recipe was simple: a close-knit group of friends, solid planning, and attending the inaugural Chi-Town Rising event.
Chi-Town Rising was in its first year, so we didn’t know exactly what to expect, but the event exceeded our hopes. One practical reason the night went so smoothly: we gathered a few hours early, enjoyed champagne together, and traveled to the event as a group. That eliminated the usual worries—lost friends, poor cell reception, hailing multiple cabs, or trying to find each other in a crowd. Arriving together set the tone for a relaxed, fun evening.
Our Chi-Town Rising experience began on Broadcast Boulevard, where live music filled the air and the atmosphere felt electric. The performances were excellent and the crowd was energetic and enthusiastic. From that lively street-level scene we made our way into the VIP party held at the Hyatt Regency.
The VIP space inside the Hyatt delivered an impressive spread: fresh seafood, carving stations, and a generous dessert buffet. An open bar kept the champagne flowing, and an outdoor viewing area with heaters offered great sightlines to the stages and fireworks. It felt like everything we needed was close at hand, which made the evening effortless and enjoyable.
Organizers promised fireworks like Chicago had never seen, and they delivered. Fireworks launched along the Chicago River stretching toward Navy Pier, surrounding the crowd with brilliant displays. The centerpiece was the Rising Star ascending 36 stories up the hotel façade; when it reached the top at midnight it triggered a spectacular fireworks finale. The timing and execution were flawless.
After the fireworks, the band Chicago took the stage. Broadcast Boulevard felt like a vibrant music festival with food and drink vendors, nonstop energy, and plenty going on. It was the perfect place to be for anyone who wanted to be in the center of the celebration. That area was also featured in the event’s television coverage on NBC and Telemundo, which made the atmosphere feel even more electric.
When I moved to Chicago, friends on the East Coast told me Chicagoans still watched New York’s ball drop at midnight despite the time difference. I always thought Chicago deserved a distinctive celebration of its own, and Chi-Town Rising filled that gap in a memorable way. Keep an eye out for announcements about next year’s event—you won’t want to miss it.
This post was in partnership with Hyatt Gold Passport.
First photo by Nick Ulivieri