Happy New Year!

2020 has been quite the year! Now, it's time to usher in 2021. There are plenty of fun ways to celebrate this holiday season, right here in the Chicago Southland! 

Skip the cooking

End the year with a delicious meal! Several local Chicago Southland restaurants will be offering meal packages specially-made for New Year's Eve.

Enjoy some Asian-fusion cuisine from Siam Marina in Tinley Park. Three packages are available, ensuring plenty of tasty options. The Movie Night package ($75) has servings for two and includes a Roll Me Out Crispy Platter and pepper steak or shitake duck and shrimp as an entrée. The Holidate package ($95) also feeds two and comes with an appetizer, entrée, dessert and martini. The entire family can enjoy the Family Gathering package ($250) with servings for up to ten people. Appetizers and entrées are included. Make sure to order your package early to beat the holiday rush! Call 708-407-8825 to order today.

Close out 2020 with a meal for two from Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. For $139.99, each package includes pretzel bread and butter, white truffle bisque, filet medallions, parmesan-crusted lobster tail, chocolate raspberry silk pie and more! Individual dinners for $69.99 are also available. Packages also include celebratory hats, confetti poppers, cocktail napkins and noisemakers to ensure your year ends with a bang! Suggested wine pairings for this meal are prosecco ($19.99) or Cooper’s Hawk Lux Meritage ($39.99). Meals should be ordered by December 23. For more information or to place your order, click here.

Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café in Burbank will be offering their Holiday Catering Package until December 31. This package feeds 6-8 people for $179.99. Packages include brisket with peppercorn gravy, smoked chicken, sliced ham, macaroni and cheese, sauteed corn, andouille sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, peppercorn gravy and apple cobbler for dessert. Individual dinners are also available for $21.99 each. Please place your orders 48 hours in advance by calling 708-229-8700.

Order an Irish-inspired New Year’s Eve special dinner for two from Chicago Gaelic Park! Dinners include cream of chicken soup with bread rolls, sliced prime rib with au jus, oven-browned potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables and Bailey’s cheesecake for dessert. Dinners cost $50 and must be pre-ordered and paid in advance by December 27. Pick-up will be available on New Year’s Eve from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Call 708-687-9323 to order your dinner.

Celebrate in style

Grab the family and celebrate by attending one of the fun events taking place throughout the Chicago Southland this season!

Families can skate their way into 2021 at Orland Park’s second annual New Year’s Eve Celebration, taking place at Centennial Park (15600 West Avenue at Fun Drive, Orland Park)! Enjoy a family skate at the ice rink and fun games while you wait for the ball to drop at “noon” year! Residents can register for $15 and non-residents can register for $20. The fee includes skate rental, lunch, bonfire snacks and party favors. Make sure you dress for the weather, as the event will take place rain, snow or shine! Click here for more information and to register.

Plus, the ice rink will be open all month long for even more fun at the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink! Bring your own or rent a pair of skates at the warming house. Free skate aides and walkers will also be available for use, ensuring everyone has a safe and fun time. Reservations are required for all skaters and can be made online, at the Sportsplex or at Village Hall. Reservations are $3 per person. All participants must wear face masks and practice social distancing. Click here for more information and to make your reservation!

Say goodbye to a “wild” 2020 at Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic. See the beautiful light displays for yourself, featuring millions of twinkling LED lights. A 600-foot-long tunnel, 20-foot orb and larger-than-life animal sculptures, all created with stunning lights, await you at the zoo! There are still plenty of tickets available for New Year’s Eve. Click here for more information and to reserve your tickets.

The whole family can enjoy the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn’s virtual Noon Year’s Eve celebration! In partnership with other local children’s museums, the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn will be airing a free livestream on social media, beginning at 11:30 AM on New Year’s Eve, with entertainment provided by The Awesome Squad! For more information or to register an activity kit for $5, please click here.

Create tasty treats at home

Did you know that January is also known as "Veganuary" Month? Veganuary is a month-long celebration that was created to encourage non-vegans to go vegan and experience the lifestyle for one month. To help you kick off Veganuary 2021, check out this recipe for Pea Guacamole from our partners at the redbird café in Homewood:

Ring in 2021 with these delicious cocktail recipes from Siam Marina in Tinley Park: 

However you plan to celebrate, we all wish you plenty of happy new year cheer, and here's to 2021 being amazing!