‘Dick clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ to Feature First-Ever Chicago countdown
CHICAGO – Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will expand its celebration this year with a live countdown from Chicago for the first time in the show’s history, organizers announced November 10, 2025. The broadcast will feature a spectacular fireworks display centered on the Chicago River and the city’s iconic architecture.
The addition of chicago as a live countdown location marks a notable expansion for the long-running New Year’s Eve tradition, which has historically centered around times Square in New York City. This move allows the show to reach a wider audience across all time zones and showcase Chicago’s vibrant culture and energy to millions of viewers nationwide.
“WLS-TV is ‘Chicago Proud’ to have the opportunity to showcase the amazing city of Chicago on ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,'” said John Idler, general manager and president of WLS-TV Chicago, in a statement.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve debuted in 1972 and has become a staple of New Year’s Eve celebrations in the United States. Sence 2008, Ryan Seacrest has served as the show’s primary host, following the passing of original creator Dick Clark in 2012.
“For more than five decades, ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ has served as America’s premier destination for live New Year’s Eve entertainment,” said Barry Adelman, executive vice president of Dick Clark Productions. “The addition of a live Central Time zone countdown from Chicago…lets us share this iconic American city’s incredible energy, culture, and spirit with millions of viewers across the country.”
The proclamation comes as Chicago experiences a surge in tourism,with the city recording over 3.5 million hotel bookings this summer, according to a city release.
