Chicago-area residents prepare to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, downtown

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago-area residents are getting ready for the last party of the year: New Year’s Eve.

Downtown, organizers are preparing for the first-ever “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” event in Chicago.

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Others plan to get together with friends and family.

The Champagne room at Lincoln Park’s Binny’s was getting all the love Tuesday. From a few bucks a bottle to the super fancy bubbles, there is something for everyone.

“It’s very much choose your own adventure. Make it what you want,” said Freddie Holt, with Binny’s. “We see here at Binny’s the rise of the dinner party, gathering with some friends, cooking a wonderful meal and choosing your own wine, beer, spirit to sort of make that evening wonderful.”

For Matt Laurinas, that adventure will be a low-key gathering with loved ones. A nice bottle of wine or two fit the bill.

“Going to be spending some time at home with my family, got a 4-year-old, my wife, so have a couple of friends over, enjoy the night,” Laurinas said.

No New Year’s Eve party, big or small, is complete without a whole bunch of sparkle. At Doolin’s in River West, they were busy Tuesday, making sure everyone’s needs are covered.

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“We’ve got banners; we’ve got balloons. We’ve got horns; we have noisemakers, party kids’ hats, tiaras. You name it; we’ve got it,” said Nicolas Doolin, owner of Doolin’s Party Supply Store.

Want to get dressed to the nines without the chaos? Tuesday night’s Eve of the Eve party at the Old Post Office Building is your ticket. It’s not only a great time. it’s for a great cause, as well, raising money to provide inner-city youth with scholarships to private schools.

“There’s been a lot of work being put into tonight to make sure that it’s successful. We have over 1,000 people coming to this event to support HighSight, to support our young people,” Miles Warren said.

Jameson Taylor is one of the program’s alumni.

“You’re going to see hopefully a couple of thousand people here tonight, everyone dressed to the nines, nice dresses, tuxedos. A lot of people know it for being a great party. But the mission, this is actually our biggest fundraiser of the year that helps our students,” Taylor said.

And then there is the party to end all parties, and it’s free. Chicago’s riverfront is dressing itself up like never before as the city takes center-stage for the first time on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”

Chicago native Chance the Rapper will be hosting the blowout, along with other local musicians throughout the night.

And while there will be a great view of the fireworks all along Wacker Drive, those wanting to attend the soirée will need to enter at the corner of either Wells or Lake streets.

The concert starts at 9 p.m. But gates open at 5 p.m., and will close once capacity is reached.

Only small purses or fanny packs will be allowed into the venue.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was at the event site Tuesday, hyping up the big night.

The finishing touches are being put on the stage across from Merchandise Mart.

“Chicago style is the best style. We do everything right,” Johnson said. “We have a rising star and rising stars in Chicago. Right? New York, they drop the ball. We never drop the ball in Chicago.”