Chicago Event Calendar: Ring in the new year
By Kathy Russell December 22, 2011 5:06PM
Updated: December 23, 2011 10:36AM
The Featured Five
A ZANIES NEW YEAR’S EVE: Mike Young, who has appeared on the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson and performs at colleges and clubs around the country, performs at Zanies Comedy Club on New Year’s Eve. He has an early show at 8 p.m., $30 tix, and a 10:30 p.m. show which includes party favors and a champagne toast at midnight for $40. Young will also perform at Zanies Comedy Club in Chicago, December 27-30
Zanies Comedy Club, 1548 N. Wells St. 312-337-4027 or www.ZANIES.com.
BUTCH MCGUIRE’S 50TH NEW YEARS EVE: The historic bar goes all out on its 50th, providing party goers with live entertainment, open bar and delicious food. DJ Jennefa from Toast & Jam, will be on hand to spin into the New Year. A premium open bar will be offered between 9 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., not including shots, along with a full home cooked buffet and variety of late night snacks to indulge in. When the clock strikes twelve, each patron at Butch’s will enjoy a champagne toast in celebration of 2012. $135 per person until the event is sold out. Butch McGuire’s, 20 W. Division St. 312-787-4318. Butch’s is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. – 4 a.m. (8 a.m. – 5 a.m. on Saturday). Find them on Twitter @ButchMcGuires and on Facebook at “Butch McGuire’s Tavern & Grill”.
RING IN THE NEW YEAR TWICE: AJ Hudson’s Public House, 3801 N. Ashland, rings in the New Year twice: first to toast the New Year ‘cross the pond in the United Kingdom at 6 p.m. CST, and then again, stateside, at midnight. Partygoers may come by before 6 p.m. for a pre-party pint and bring in the New Year early with a Champagne toast and traditional sing-song of “Auld Lang Syne” for the British New Year. Then, stay to bring in the New Year at midnight, in British style, with party favors, another Champagne and no cover charge. Open until 3 a.m. 773-348-2767. www.AJHudsonsPublicHouse.com.
A NAVY PIER NEW YEAR’S EVE: Two great fireworks shows, multiple New Year’s Eve bashes, and free events for both children and adults on Saturday Dec. 31. The little kids can start early with a Noon Year’s Eve at the Chicago Children’s Museum, 11 a.m. to noon. At 6 p.m., Navy Pier presents a free spectacular, all-ages showcase of hip-hop dancers, live funk music, and other fun on the Winter WonderStage in Festival Hall. This is a free event. 8:15 p.m. Family Fireworks show on Dock Street. Adult parties from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom and and 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Crystal Gardents. Fireworks over the lake at midnight. www.navypier.com for more info and a link for tix. For VIP tix, table reservations and more info more information call 312-560-4422 or crystalgardensnye@gmail.com, Winter WonderFest is open at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. www.navypier.com.
RADIO DISNEY’S “NOON YEAR’S EVE”: The “Noon Year’s Eve” Event is from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Allstate Arena’s Skyline Room, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. This free family-friendly celebration gives kids the opportunity to have all the fun of New Year’s Eve together, featuring interactive games, VIP prize giveaways, including a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, a Chicago Trolley and Double Decker’s VIP 3-day Explore Chicago family four pack, exclusive Chicago Wolves items and more. Party to songs from Radio Disney’s “Top 50 Countdown of 2011.” More info at www.radiodisney.com/chicago.
Ending Jan. 8
CHOCOLATE AROUND THE WORLD: The Field Museum’s popular exhibition about chocolate runs through Jan. 8. The Field Museum is at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-922-9410. www.fieldmuseum.org.
THERE’S FUN TO BE DONE!: Dr. Seuss and The Art of Invention,” a temporary exhibit celebrating the life, art and creative genius of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss). Requires an additional, timed-entry ticket. Runs through Jan. 8 at the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. 773-684-1414. www.msichicago.org.
THE 11TH ANNUAL “WINTER WONDERFEST”: Runs through Jan. 8, 2012 at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Ave. New attractions and activities this year include sleigh rides, Chicago’s top “party bands” performing from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, lots of rides, new entertainment at Navy Pier’s Family New Year’s Eve Bash, and much more. Free to enter and explore “Winter WonderFest.” The purchase of an activity wristband is required for rides and ice skating. Prices on all individual “Winter WonderFest Activity Wristbands” remain unchanged from last year. More info on costs, hours and discounts at www.navypier.com or www.winterwonderfest.com.
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METRA’S $7 WEEKEND PASS: Weekend passes are good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday for all stations. Weekend parking is available at all stations. Note: Boat taxis are available from Union Station to Navy Pier and/or the museum campus and other points along the river or lakefront. Reasonable pricing and fun.
