There’s no need to worry if you want to ring in the New Year in style, but don’t have any plans.
There’s a lot going on in Chicago, which according to a new ranking is among the best cities to celebrate the New Year.
Personal finance website WalletHub compared the country’s 100 most populous cities to curate its collection of venues for “epic” New Year’s Eve celebrations, placing Windy City 8th.
The website’s researchers based their findings on 29 parameters, ranging from the legality of the fireworks to the rainfall forecast for Dec. 31. They also looked at three “key” dimensions: entertainment and food, cost, and safety and accessibility.
Chicago took ninth place in dining and entertainment as the city with the most restaurants and nightlife per capita among other places surveyed, according to the rankings.
On a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for New Year’s revelers, Chicago scored an 84 in cost and a 56 in safety and accessibility.
Here is an overview of the other cities that have earned a place in the top 10 of the ranking:
- New York: 1st
- Orlando: 2nd
- Las Vegas: 3rd
- San Francisco: 4th
- Atlanta: 5th
- Denver: 6th
- Washington D.C.: 7th
- Los Angeles: 9th
- Seattle: 10th
The complete classification is to be found here.
Looking to count down to midnight with a little Chicago excitement? NBC Chicago has you covered.
NBC Chicago will ring in the new year with a star-studded special, “A very Chicago New Year“, starting at 11:08 p.m. on NBC Chicago.
The hour-long kickoff to 2023 will include musical performances by Smash pumpkins legend and Chicago native Billy Corganrock band always clear and Chicago blues artist Wayne Baker Brooks. Corgan perform their own hits Madame ZuZu’s tea room at Highland Park.
Matthew Rodrigues and Cortney Room of chicago today will return as hosts alongside NBC 5 news today anchors Michelle Relerford and JC Navarrete. The program will give viewers a front row seat to the hottest parties in the city and suburbs, including Port Fino Pizzeria, Hard Rock Casino North Indiana to Gary and Ivy at Wheaton.
The special will air on NBC 5 and the NBC Chicago streaming channels on Peacock, Roku and Samsung TV, as well as on NBCChicago.com and the NBC Chicago app.