Overview
- The ABC-7 broadcast starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with gates to the Riverwalk performance area opening at 5 p.m.
- The main stage is at Wacker Drive and Franklin Street, with entry points on Wacker west of Wells and east of Lake.
- Security will include checkpoints and bag inspections with a 12-by-6-by-12-inch limit, and gates will close once capacity is reached.
- A five-minute fireworks show will launch just before midnight from bridges between Orleans and Columbus, with Upper Wacker from McClurg Court to Franklin highlighted for viewing.
- Travel plans should account for setup closures that began at 10 a.m. Monday, bridge shutdowns roughly 11:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m., free CTA rides from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., and a drone restriction from 5 p.m. Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. Jan. 1.