Chance the Rapper led the New Year’s Eve festivities at the corner of Wacker and Franklin in the Loop. Chicago was featured for the first time in the national broadcast of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest”. Thousands braved the cold temperatures along the Chicago R iver for the entertainment and fireworks. Chance the Rapper records a segment during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Shemekia Copeland performs during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) J. Ivy performs during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Attendees watch J. Ivy perform during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Marshal and Laura Knights record a message on their phone during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Fireworks rise from the river at midnight during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Attendees dance during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Attendees stand in the cold as Shemekia Copeland performs during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) A backup singer keeps warm with pink mittens as J. Ivy performs during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Attendees watch people on stage during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) An attendee holds a noise maker in her mouth during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) ART on THE MART projections are displayed during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) A dog in a backpack stays warm inside a building during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomes attendees during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) An attendee covers her hands with her jacket sleeves to keep warm during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Mayor Brandon Johnson and talk show host Val Warner welcome attendees during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) An attendee bundles up in the cold during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Attendees cheer people on stage during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) An attendee watches J. Ivy perform during the "Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" event on West Wacker Drive Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)   ...read more read less