For the first time in its 55-year history, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will feature a live countdown segment in Chicago for the Central Time zone. The addition joins the traditional broadcast in New York City, hosted by Ryan Seacrest for the East Coast, and the Spanish-language segment in Puerto Rico, which airs for the Atlantic Time zone.
Key Takeaways
- When the festivities kick off.
- What viewers can expect from the Chicago segment.
- Whether Terell Brown and Cheryl Scott will be returning for their traditional New Year’s dance routine.
What to Know About Chicago’s Segment
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve airs live on Wednesday, December 31 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. For Chicagoans, that’ll be 7 p.m. on ABC7 WLS-TV. The program in the Windy City, which the mayoral office noted has been dubbed the #1 destination for cold-weather holiday travels by WalletHub, will have its own host, on-the-ground updates and reporting, and live performances throughout the night.
While details are being kept tightly under wraps for now, in an appearance on ABC7, Mayor Brandon Johnson teased that “everything dope comes from Chicago,” which seems to hint that historian and founder of the non-profit Chicago Mahogany Foundation, Shermann Dilla Thomas, will be featured.
Chicago Pride Will Be on Full Display
The event is going to take place in downtown Chicago and will be broadcast to 30 million viewers. According to John Idler, general manager and president of WLS-TV Chicago, viewers can anticipate “a spectacular fireworks display centered on the iconic bridges that cross the Chicago River and cascade over the city’s world-class architecture.” The local TV station is also “‘Chicago Proud’ to have the opportunity to showcase the amazing city of Chicago on ‘Dick Clark Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.”
The city’s inclusion in the beloved program will give the rest of America a picture of Chicago in celebration. For months, footage of solidarity in the midst of raids and tear gas has aired on national news and spread online. We’ve seen Chicago pride and strength on display, and now we’ll have the chance to see why Mayor Johnson calls it “the greatest city in the world.” He said the segment “is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the beauty and dynamism of our city and its people for the world to see.”
Chicago also happens to be Barry Adelman’s, EVP, Television, Dick Clark Productions, hometown, which is why he’s especially thrilled to mark the addition as “an exciting new chapter for the show” that lets the company “share this iconic American city’s incredible energy, culture, and spirit with millions of viewers across the country.”
However, if you’re worried you won’t see ABC7’s Terell Brown and Cheryl Scott shut the house down with an incredible dance routine that ushers in 2026, don’t be. They will be returning to delight viewers. For those not in the know, check out last year’s performance below:
Will New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Return to Chicago Next Year?
Mayor Johnson told ABC7 that he’s fairly confident the city will be able to host New Year’s Rockin’ Eve year after year and that Chicago’s addition to the program won’t be a one-time event. However, he noted that they’ll have to continue working with their partners to make that a reality. The city’s inclusion, however, is a testament to the record-breaking rise in tourism Chicago has seen.
ABC has noted that more information on what Chicagoans, and the rest of America, can expect from the new segment will be shared at a later date. Stay tuned to Soap Hub for more holiday TV news.
