CHICAGO (WLS) — ABC 7’s New Year’s Eve special, “COUNTDOWN CHICAGO,” is a beloved tradition in Chicago, celebrating the new year for over 30 years. This local show, known for its longevity and popularity, will once again capture the essence of Chicago’s New Year’s Eve spirit. The event will kick off with a dazzling dance performance by Cheryl Scott and Terrell Brown, followed by performances from the internationally renowned Cascada, led by Natalie Horler, singing their hit “Everytime We Touch,” as well as R&B artist Mario, known for songs like “Keep Going (Aaaaahhhhh)” and “Let Me Love You.”
The special will showcase attendees from various New Year’s Eve celebrations, including the festivities at the Salt Shed, Park West, and Mia Tierra in Little Village. Hosted by Val Warner, Ryan Chiaverini, Cheryl Scott, Terrell Brown, Hosea Sanders, and guests Kenzie & Roman, the show promises to bring the vibrant Chicago celebrations to viewers on Tuesday, Dec. 31, starting at 11:25 p.m. on ABC 7.
Renowned for winning six consecutive Chicago Midwest Emmy Awards, ABC 7’s “COUNTDOWN CHICAGO” was the most-watched local program in Chicago last year and continues to maintain its popularity into 2025. The show’s hosts will capture the festive mood of New Year’s Eve: Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini will groove to classic house music from “Chosen Few DJs” and “Hot Mix 5” at Park West. Meanwhile, Terrell Brown and Cheryl Scott will be at the Salt Shed’s New Year’s Eve party, featuring music from “Lake Street Dive.” Hosea Sanders will introduce the featured musical guests Cascada and Mario. Media personalities Kenzie & Roman will be part of the celebration at the beloved Mi Tierra in Little Village.
In what has now become appointment TV and an anticipated Chicago annual event, ABC 7 meteorologist Cheryl Scott and anchor Terrell Brown will open the show with their spectacular dance number – featuring dozens of dancers from the famed Chicago dance company Puzzle Box. In a high-spirited performance, the duo plays high school teachers who surprise bored students by jazzing up what begins as a dull high school dance. This is the seventh year Brown and Scott have paired up to dance their way into the new year.
ABC7 will be ringing in the New Year with Chicago’s grand finale, New Year’s Eve fireworks at midnight.
Dec. 31, 1991, marked the beginning of ABC7’s annual broadcast of New Year’s Eve specials.
Justyna Syska and Terrell Brown are executive producers of “ABC7 PRESENTS: COUNTDOWN CHICAGO 2025.”
About ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 2.6 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space toChicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press for four consecutive years, ABC 7 Eyewitness News produces “Chicago Proud,” a series of features that spotlights everyday heroes in and around Chicago.The station also produces the highest-rated New Year’s Eve special in Chicago, holiday kickoff special “The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival,” syndicated to a national audience, as well as the award-winning program series “Our Chicago,” which showcases the city’s diversity and highlights contributions in the Black, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ+ communities, among others.Every Friday, Windy City Weekend, entertains while giving Chicagoans everything they need to know about what’s happening in the city. ABC 7 is the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago’s rich cultural history. In addition to producing town halls focused on current social issues, the station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates keeping Chicago’s electorate informed.ABC7’s outreach efforts include annual partnerships with the Red Cross for life-saving blood drives, one of the biggest one-day drives in the country and, most recently, spearheading an effort to raise more than $1.5 million for area food pantries.
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