New Year's Eve 2024 In, Near Manhattan: Ball Drop, Bowling, Let's Glow

MANHATTAN, IL — If you're wanting to stick close to Manhattan this New Year's Eve, there are plenty of options to pick from. Check out some parties and family events planned in Chicago’s south suburbs to help you ring in 2025.

In Manhattan, don't miss the Village's Irish New Year's Ball Drop set for 6 p.m. Traditional ball drop set for 12 a.m., both at Times Square in Manhattan. Noisemakers and S'mores will be provided for kids. Located in the center of town, US 52 and State Street.

Over in New Lenox, come on out and show 2024 the door at VFW Post 9545, 323 Old Hickory Rd. Entertainment by “Good Time DJ” starts at 7 p.m. There will be food, entertainment, and party favors. 12 beers on tap, lots of seltzers, and more. Happy hour 7 to 11 p.m., $1 off all wine. No cover charge; 21 and over.

Not what you had in mind? Check out some other options.

Dec. 31, 2024

"Let's Glow 2025" Party at Gallagher's Pub
160 E North St., Manhattan

Stop in for drink specials and glow Jello shots, as well as appetizers. DJ starts at 8 p.m.

Hillbilly Rockstarz at Jamo's Live
10160 191st St., Mokena

The party kicks off with live music by the incredible Austin Edwards from America's Got Talent, followed by the one and only Hillbilly Rockstarz. Free food starting at 7 p.m. and while supplies last. $20 per ticket. Buy online.

Laraway Lanes Bowling
1009 Laraway Rd., New Lenox

Spots remaining for the 9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. time slot. $140 per lane, maximum six people per lane. Includes cosmic bowl, shoe rental, a large pizza (one topping), two pitchers of pop per lane, and party favors. Call (815)485-5177 to book.

NYE Soirée at Banging Gavel Brews
17400 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park

Banging Gavel Brews, 17400 Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, has a Gatsby-themed soirée planned that's guaranteed to be the "Bee's Knees." The semi-formal night includes live music by the Allen Laskey Quartet, entertaining for the night with classic swing music by the greats of the past: Chet Baker, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and T-Bone Walker. Hors d'oeuvres throughout night, and late night snacks. Premium open bar includes selection of cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets are $135.18 per person (fee included). Purchase online.

New Year's Eve Party at North & Maple
18401 North Creek Dr., Tinley Park

Ring in the new year at North & Maple in Tinley Park. This New Year's Eve party will unleash your inner Flashdance, and have you dancing and singing into the New Year! The DJ will be jammin' all the classics! Table/seat reservations include guaranteed seating, party favors and a champagne toast. Seating starts at 7 p.m., DJ's on at 9 p.m. Call (708) 468-8181 for reservations, or book online.

Silver Lake Country Club
14700 S 82nd Ave., Orland Park

The club has quite a night planned, with live entertainment and a Filet Mignon dinner. Tickets are almost sold out, so register now for the event featuring live entertainment, dinner, and top-shelf open bar. Live entertainment by The Connexion Band, and two DJs playing. Dinner includes hot and cold appetizers, Filet and chicken, double-baked potato, and a specialty dessert. Top shelf bar from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. $150/person. Make your reservations by calling 708-349-6940 ext. 5, or emailing events@silverlakecc.com. Reservations can also be made online.

New Year's Eve at 115 Bourbon Street
3359 West 115th St., Merrionette Park

Band Louder Now on front stage, DJs in the nightclub and performance hall. Doors open at 8. Ticketed event. Buffet dinner from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Dinner buffet includes dinner rolls, salad, fried chicken, Italian sausage & meatballs, Jambalaya, pasta ala Bourbon, green Beans, potatoes. Breakfast buffet from 11:30 pm. to 1 a.m. includes eggs, sausage and hash browns. Tickets are $85. Can be purchased at door for $100, if still available. Buy online.

Family Irish New Year at Chicago Gaelic Park
6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest

Join Chicago Gaelic Park for a family Irish New Year from 4 to 8 p.m. The buffet dinner begins at 5 p.m. When the clock strikes midnight Ireland time (6 p.m. CST), there will be sparkling juice kids’ toast and a champagne toast for the adults. A DJ will play Irish favorites and kids’ pop hits. Face painters and magicians will also keep the night fun. Cash bar. Adults, $30; kids 12 and under, $15; children under 3, free. All are welcome. Membership is not required. Buy tickets online.

JW Hollstein's
17358 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park

8 p.m. to close. Ring in the new year at JW Hollstein's. $20 per person includes a DJ, party favors, and champagne toast.

Blarney Stone Pub
15400 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Forest

DJ Matt playing. Open bar. Champaign toast, party favors, free pizza at midnight. $60 per person.

Centennial Lanes Bowling Party Packages
16050 Centennial Cir., Tinley Park

Four themed party flight packages are available. All packages include cosmic bowling for 5 people per lane max, shoe rental, one large pizza, blue pin raffle, 360 photo booth, NYE toast, and party favors. Specific packages have additional features. Buy tickets online. Rates and time slots are:

• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Ball Drop. $135
• 2:30 to 5 p.m.: TikTok into 2025. $145
  • TikTok themed music
  • Prize for the best TikTok Video (must be created at Centennial and must tag Centennial)
• 6 to 9 p.m.: All Glown Up. $165
  • Glow Bar Party Favors
  • Live DJ
• 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.: New Year's Luck. $175.
  • Money booth raffle
  • Live DJ

Tinley Bowl & The Backyard Bowling Party Packages
7601 183rd St, Tinley Park

Lane rates vary, New Year's countdown in each time slot. All packages include cosmic bowling, party favors, one extra large, one topping pizza, and 1 pitcher of soda per lane. Maximum of 6 bowlers per lane. Call (708)415-3951 to reserve a spot.

• 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $110 per lane
• 1 to 3:30 p.m., $120 per lane
• 4 to 6:30 p.m., $130 per lane
• 7 to 9:30 p.m., $140 per lane
• 10 to 12:30 p.m., $150 per lane

Thunder Bowl Bowling Party Packages
18700 Old Lagrange Rd, Mokena

$150 per lane, max 6 bowlers per lane. Pizza and pop. Party favors. Time slots available from 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Call if interested, booking up fast. (708) 478-3610.

CD&ME
23320 S. La Grange Rd., Frankfort

CD&ME, 23320 S. La Grange Road, in Frankfort, will hold an all-inclusive NYE Party on Dec. 31, featuring music by Motown Nation, a premium bar, buffet dinner and champagne toast. It is $125 per person.

NYE at The ROXY
The ROXY, 1017 S. State St., Lockport

The ROXY Lockport, 1017 S. State St., will host a New Year's Eve bash featuring Sonny and the SwingRolls. There will be a dance lesson from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m., and live music from 9 p.m. to midnight. It is $20 cash at the door, and includes a prosecco/sparkling cider toast at midnight and finger foods.

Pat Tomasulo NYE Comedy Showcase
European Chalet Banquets, 5545 S. Harlem Ave., Chicago

WGN TV morning host, comedian and podcaster Pat Tomasulo returns to European Chalet Banquets in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood to perform his hilarious standup act at. The evening features dinner and a premium OPEN bar, starting with a VIP meet and greet with cocktails and appetizers from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; cocktails and dinner from 7 to 8 p.m.; with the comedy show and more cocktails from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tomasulo will dispense parenting advice despite not having children himself. Tickets are $150 for cocktails, dinner and show; $200 for the VIP meet and greet, appetizers, cocktails, dinner and the show. Buy tickets on EventBrite.

Family Fun at Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center
7759 S Harlem Ave, Burbank

Noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Ring in 2024 at Haunted Trails in Burbank with their New Year’s Eve Fun deal available December 31 only. Enjoy $35 in Game Play, 2 Laser Frenzy Challenges, plus a Mini 7” One-Topping Pizza and Large Soft Drink for only $41.95/guest. No reservation Required. Charmin’ Charley’s Restaurant closes 1 hour before the game room. Adult beverages are available for purchase for those 21 and over with valid ID.

In the United States, one of the most popular New Year’s Eve traditions is the dropping of the giant ball in New York City’s Times Square. Other U.S. cities have adopted iterations of the ball drop — the Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the giant Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho, for example.

The end of one year and beginning of another is often celebrated with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish folk song whose title roughly translates to “days gone by,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica and History.com.

The history of New Year’s resolutions dates back 8,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who would make promises to return borrowed objects and pay outstanding debts at the beginning of the new year, in mid-March when they planted their crops.

<< Related: What New Year’s Resolution Did You Keep? How Did You Do It? [Patch Survey] >>

According to legend, if they kept their word, pagan gods would grant them favor in the coming year. If they broke the promise, they would fall out of God’s favor, according to a history of New Year’s resolutions compiled by North Hampton Community College New Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Many secular New Year’s resolutions focus on imagining new, improved versions of ourselves. The failure rate of New Year’s resolutions is about 80 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report. There are myriad reasons, but a big one is they’re made out of remorse — for gaining weight, for example — and aren’t accompanied by a shift in attitude and a plan to meet the stress and discomfort of changing a habit or condition.