Chicago Ringing In 2016 With Big Outdoor Celebration Like Times Square

Can't make it to the Big Apple for New Year's Eve? No need to anymore. For the first time, Chicago will be ringing in 2016 with a big outdoor celebration with a twist on the Times Square countdown and ball drop. Here's what this first-of-its-kind New Year’s Eve event dubbed Chi-Town Rising will feature.

According to NBC 5 Chicago, this inaugural New Year’s Eve event dubbed Chi-Town Rising will feature music headliners, and a visually spectacular countdown to 2016 with a major fireworks show announced by organizers.

Chi-Town Rising is presented by Corona Extra and will be held along the Chicago River between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, with three stages of musical entertainment on the north and south sides of the river and a midnight countdown featuring a giant Chicago star rising into the sky instead of your usual "ball-drop".

The ascending star symbolizes the history of meeting challenges head-on and seeing opportunities in every new adventure. If all goesas planned, this event could become a holiday tradition in the Chicagoland area.

In addition to the celebration, the Chicago showcase on New Year’s Eve will encourage winter travelers to visit Northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area.

The event, which is privately funded, will be open to the public with some areas reserved for private events and access. Information on ticket sales, a full talent line-up and other details are expected to be released this fall on Facebook at Chi-town Rising.

With the new year coming closer, this news is exciting and positive for the state of Illinois and the Chicagoland area.