Navy Pier Fireworks & Things to Do at Navy Pier: Best Chicago Fireworks Shows and Events 2025
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The History of Navy Pier
Opened as the Municipal Pier in 1916, what is now Navy Pier originally functioned as both a shipping point for Great Lakes water transportation as well as a place for recreational activities. Today’s name was established in 1927 in honor of World War I veterans who utilized the pier as a military base, which it was also used for during World War II. Other uses over the years have included a campus for the University of Illinois, as well as a convention center. It wasn’t until 1995 that Navy Pier, after extensive refurbishment, became an entertainment and exposition venue.
Author: Filip Luchianenco
Woman in Dress Sitting in Marina
How Do I Get to Navy Pier?
Navy Pier’s location at 600 E. Grand Avenue is easy to get to. For starters, it’s a leisurely walk of a mile or less from a sizable number of downtown and N. Michigan Avenue hotels. If walking isn’t an option due to mobility, weather conditions, or you just prefer to save your legs for your time at Navy Pier, CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) bus route 124 runs along and east of the Magnificent Mile, with a stop directly in front of the pier’s main entrance.
If you have a car with you, there are two public parking garages with 1,500 total spaces at Navy Pier. Of course, you’ll have to pay to enter, so if you are staying in a downtown hotel it may be less expensive to leave your car near your hotel and use another mode of transport to get here. Entrance to the West Garage can be purchased in advance online with ParkWhiz. The East Garage is a pay-as-you-enter facility and often fills up on peak days, especially weekends, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies can deliver you to the front door in just a few minutes from nearly anywhere in the downtown area, or from Union Station if you’ve arrived in town by rail.
Traveling to Navy Pier via Shoreline Sightseeing’s water taxi is a fun way to see more of Chicago, plus you’ll have scenic views of the city which aren’t available when utilizing conventional modes of transportation. The company has been offering various tours of Chicago from the water since 1939. Aside from the water taxi to Navy Pier, you may want to consider their Architecture River Tour or Skyline Lake Cruise. The boats dock right at Navy Pier, so there’s no need to bring your car or catch a bus to get here. Services operate from May through September.
Author: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos
Aerial View of Chicago Skyline and Marina
Things To Do at Navy Pier
Navy Pier has so many options of things to do that there are hours of fun here for guests of all ages. With more than nine million annual visitors, the folks at Navy Pier are clearly doing things right. From its famous enclosed gondolas, the Centennial Wheel ride provides guests with unequaled 360-degree views of the city and lakefront from almost 200 feet above the pier. With a unique collection of shops and places to eat, Navy Pier should be on your to-do list of attractions in Chicago.
If you just want to check out the vibe and views from Navy Pier without dropping a chunk of change, you’ll be thrilled to know that admission to the pier is absolutely free. There are admission fees for the Centennial Wheel, FlyOver Chicago, and other rides and games here, but you get to choose what to do, or do nothing but stroll the pier and take it all in – and pay zilch!
And there’s a lot more, including:
- The Chicago Shakespeare Theater makes its home at Navy Pier. The repertory company offers performances year-round at its three theaters. Stage plays are also presented by other Chicago area organizations at The Yard (700 seats), the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater (500 seats), and the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio (200 seats). With 1,400 total seats and numerous performances every week, there’s bound to be an entertaining evening that fits your schedule. There’s a lot more than Shakespeare happening here, with musicals, family friendly plays, and global theatrical performances regularly taking place.
- Founded in 1982 by The Junior League of Chicago, the Chicago Children’s Museum is ideally located at Navy Pier, making it easy for families and school groups to visit. The museum’s original location was at Millenium Park, but when it became clear that more space was needed for expansion, Navy Pier presented the perfect facility for future growth. The museum officially moved in 1995.
With three floors of fun specifically designed for infants, toddlers, and kids nine and older, there’s plenty to explore for kids of all ages. Kids love the dinosaur expedition, climbing about on the huge schooner, playing in the water playground (raincoats are provided), trying out real tools, dressing as a firefighter, getting creative in a real art studio, and so much more.
The museum is open days daily except Tuesday with parking available on-site if you happen to have a car along for your visit.
Author: Vasilis Karkalas
Aerial View of the Chicago Harbor Light and Chicago Skyline in the Background
Navy Pier’s FREE Fireworks Shows
For the last three years the spectacular FREE fireworks at Navy Pier have received the USA Today Readers’ Choice Award as the “Best Place to See Fireworks”. So, if you’re going to be in Chicago during the summer months or for New Year’s Eve, plan to attend this amazing extravaganza.
While the summer 2026 has not yet been announced, in past years the fireworks display took place every Wednesday at 9PM and Saturday at 10PM, from late May through August. There was no show on July 4th this year with the City of Chicago sponsoring a lakefront fireworks show on July 5. We recommend checking out the Choose Chicago tourism website for upcoming fireworks shows and other unique events that make Chi-town so exciting.
There’s great news for New Years’ Eve revelers planning to welcome in 2026 in downtown Chicago. Navy Pier will be ringing in the new year at midnight on December 31 with their biggest free fireworks show of the year!
This is Chicago, so Navy Pier’s Food is Top Notch
No matter what time of day you visit Navy Pier there will be fabulous dining options available. Grab a quick bite while you stroll through the shopping mall or choose to take your time while relaxing at one of the great sit-down spots located throughout the pier. Pizza, Mexican, Chinese, fried chicken, ice cream, a candy, or popcorn shop, and yes, even McDonald’s is possible at Navy Pier.
If something more substantial is desired, check out these Chicago favorites:
- Giordano’s – Famous Chicago-style stuffed deep-dish pizzas and other Italian favorites. You can’t go wrong here.
- Harry Caray’s Tavern – American and Italian specialties with superb waterfront views. Family friendly plus a full bar make this a popular gathering spot. Worth a visit just to see the extensive collection of sports memorabilia. “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”.
- Lyrica – A creative Latin menu, expansive and stunning bar, and impressive views make this the perfect spot for a special breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Chef Art Smith’s Reunion – Brunch, lunch, snacks, dinner, happy hour, and pre-theater comfort foods perfect for solo diners, couples, and families, all with a focus on fresh Midwest ingredients.
- Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Bar & Grill – A fun atmosphere with a weather-protected Tiki Bar, outdoor deck, creative food, and funky music makes this an ideal spot for families or meeting friends for an adult beverage.
- Billy Goat Tavern – “Cheeseburger, cheeseburger” of SNL fame, plus breakfast options, hot sandwiches, all ready to be washed down with a cold local brew.
- Bar Sol Mariscos – Enjoy a Latin-inspired menu with upbeat music and magnificent views. Indoor and outdoor seating available seasonally.
- Offshore Rooftop – The world’s largest rooftop venue offers unequaled views of Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan from its 36,000 square foot location at the east end of Navy Pier. You will be wowed by the seven fire pits, gaming and entertainment area, sparkling bar, and an extensive Mediterranean-focused all-day menu. This is also the perfect spot for brunch or what Offshore Rooftop dubs as “Happier Hour”.
Author: Jeffrey Diehl
Multistory Parking Lot
What Are the Hours at Navy Pier?
With a wide array of things to do, Navy Pier has various opening hours depending on what venues you plan to visit. In general:
- Facility, Sun. to Thu., 11AM – 8PM; Fri. & Sat., 11AM-9PM.
- Pier Park, Sun. to Thu., 11AM – 8PM; Fri. & Sat., 10AM-10PM.
- Beer Garden, Fri., 3PM to 9PM; Sat., 1PM to 9PM; Sun., 1PM – 7PM.
If you are visiting Navy Pier to shop at a particular store or to dine in one of the restaurants, check the individual listing on the Navy Pier website, or with the vendor directly as hours do vary.
Recommended Hotels Close to Navy Pier
Without a doubt, visiting Chicago can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Chicago has no shortage of excellent hotel options, with our favorite booking website being Travelated. The site is known for its extremely competitive pricing and enormous selection of properties in all price ranges, so it has been my go-to website for many years.
In order to make planning a trip here just a bit easier, here are some hotel recommendations for properties that are close to the lakefront, Navy Pier, and the N. Michigan Avenue shopping, dining, and nightlife area. The distance noted is from the hotel to Navy Pier.
- Sable at Navy Pier (Hilton), rated four stars, the only hotel on Navy Pier
- Loews Chicago Hotel, rated four stars, 0.7 miles.
- Swissotel, rated four stars, 0.8 miles.
- Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile, rated four stars, 0.9 miles.
- Warwick Allerton Chicago, rated four stars, 1.0 miles.
- Hyatt Regency Chicago, rated four stars, 0.9 miles.
- InterContinental Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, rated four stars, 0.9 miles.
- Royal Sonesta Chicago River North, rated four stars, 0.9 miles.
- AC Hotel Chicago Downtown (Marriott), rated four stars, 0.9 miles.
- Riu Plaza Chicago, rated four stars, 0.9 miles.
If proximity to Navy Pier isn’t crucial to your plans, there are scores of additional hotels available on the Travelated website in various areas of Chicagoland.
Author: Otto Rascon
Low Angle Shot of Hotel Intercontinental
It’s Easy to Have Fun in Chicago
Sightseeing, world-class museums, theater, concerts, sporting events, incredible restaurants, and nightlife await you in Chicago. By staying in the downtown “Loop”, close to N. Michigan Avenue’s “Magnificent Mile”, or in the River North neighborhood, you will close to the action, no matter what your plans may be. This isn’t a city that you’ll visit once or twice and see everything, so plan accordingly. The “City of Big Shoulders” will welcome you with open arms.
