Counting down — 12 ways to virtually ring in 2021

New Year’s Eve may be the biggest celebration all year as we finally get to say goodbye to the never-ending chaos of 2020. With large gatherings a no-no (such as public fireworks spectaculars and not to mention overcrowded house parties), there are still plenty of ways to make the night feel special with these virtual events.

‘KISS 2020 Goodbye’

If you planned to rock ’n’ roll all night, you’ll need to start a little early as show-stopping rock group Kiss goes live a few hours before midnight from the Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, which is about 11 a.m. Chicago time. In true Kiss fashion, the over-the-top virtual event promises a massive undertaking with 50-plus cameras, 360-degree views, pyrotechnics and all the bloodcurdling, light-blinding stage flair expected of the rock veterans. Begins at 11 a.m. with the free-pre show; tickets start at $39.99 with VIP options available.

https://www.kiss2020goodbye.com/

YouTube’s ‘Hello 2021’

Don’t expect YouTube to go quietly into the night on New Year’s. The streaming giant’s Originals platform will host this online party with quite the motley crew of guests including Matthew McConaughey, RuPaul and Demi Lovato, plus musical performances from Dua Lipa, J Balvin and Kane Brown alongside appearances from YouTube influencers, a countdown of the year’s best videos and more. Begins at 9:30 p.m.; free.

https://www.youtube.com/originals

Zanie’s Comedy Club’s New Year’s Zeve

Laughter is still the best medicine for the last few moments of 2020, especially when the year is poised to be the crux of many of the jokes in this virtual event, live from Zanies in Rosemont. It’s hosted by local funnyman Calvin Evans, who recently appeared on “Conan,” was a regular on Comedy Central’s “South Side” and aired his first comedy special on Epix TV this fall. Begins at 8 p.m. with a rebroadcast at 10:30 p.m ; tickets start at $10 with a VIP option available.

https://zanieschicago.laughstub.com/event.cfm?cart&id=544296

TAO Chicago Online Party

The River North mainstay hosts its first-ever New Year’s Eve event with four hours of virtual programming bringing the eclectic ambiance to your home screen. The schedule of events includes a charcuterie class, a mixology lesson to make Tao’s signature cocktails, a private comedy show with Pat McGann (“The Chicago Standup Project”), champagne tips and a countdown dance party. Buy tickets for the stream only or opt for a party box package delivered to you with everything needed for each online course. Begins at 8:30 p.m.; stream-only ticket is $95, party boxes start at $195.

https://nightout.com/events/tao-group-hospitality-virtual-nye-2021/tickets

Chicago Scene’s Virtual New Year’s Eve At The Drake Hotel

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of The Drake Hotel’s popular New Year’s Eve party — though it’ll be the first time the event goes fully online. In partnership with Chicago Scene magazine, it will feature music from DJs Jem and Sye Young and to-go dinner packages (for separate purchase) from Gibson’s, Tavern on Rush, Le Colonial and Avli. Begins at 9:30 p.m.; free, with donations suggested to benefit local charities.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-scene-virtual-new-years-eve-party-charity-event-the-drake-hotel-tickets-129431921361

New Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Concert

Hear the New Year’s Eve perennial favorite “Auld Lang Syne” done by the New Philharmonic orchestra in this special virtual event. Led by Maestro Kirk Muspratt, the program will also feature traditional polkas and waltzes (dance along at home!) plus classical numbers and cinematic favorites, recorded at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Starts at 2 p.m.; tickets are $50.

https://www.atthemac.org/events/new-years-eve/

The Jungle Show

Any other year and you’d need to be in Austin, Texas, to see this holiday spectacular up close and personal at the famed Antone’s Nightclub. Instead, catch the online broadcast of this epic supergroup featuring ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, noted guitarist Jimmie Vaughan (brother of Stevie Ray), drummer Chris Layton of SRV’s Double Trouble ensemble, blues singer Sue Foley and organist master Mike Flanigin playing Texas blues and reimagined classics. Sets at 7 and 10 p.m.; tickets start at $25 with VIP and merch bundles available.

https://jungleshow.tv/

The Avett Brothers

Getty Images

The beloved country-folk troupe didn’t sit idly by in 2020, releasing that fantastic “The Third Gleam” in August that returned to the stripped-down roots of the band and performing a couple drive-in shows at their hometown Charlotte Motor Speedway. For their 17^th annual New Year’s Eve show, they’ll band together with the full lineup and special guests Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile and more in an online fete live from Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Begins at 7 p.m.; $39.99 for the HD webcast and $49.99 for the 4K webcast.

https://nugs.tv/live-webcasts/5,1317/The-Avett-Brothers-12-2020-New-Year-s-Eve-Virtual-Celebration-Charlotte-NC.html

Snoop Dogg NYE Special

AP

Before the new talent show “Go-Big” debuts on TBS in early January, judge Snoop Dogg is hosting a virtual bash on New Year’s Eve to give a little taste of the action. Featuring some of the show’s crazy stunts and fellow judges Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Nettles and Cody Rhodes, the evening will also offer a live performance from Snoop and a tour of his compound, plus surprise guests and a dance party countdown. Starts at 10 p.m.; free

https://snoopnye.com/

Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert

Technically, this is on New Year’s Day but is worth waking up early for — or staying up! Chicago Symphony Orchestra Maestro Riccardo Muti leads the Vienna Philharmonic in the orchestra’s annual New Year’s Concert. It will be filmed sans audience from the Golden Hall at the Musikverein in Vienna and broadcast in 90 countries. Catch it here in Chicago at 10 a.m. on WFMT-FM (98.7) or at 8 p.m. on WTTW-Channel 11 as part of the PBS “Great Performances” broadcast.

Chicago Blues Network

The “Trading 4s New Year’s Eve” online concert features a lineup of Chicago blues who’s who: Jimmy Johnson, Joanna Connor, Billy Flynn, Anne Harris, Johnny Iguana, Peaches Staten, Dave Specter and Brother John Kattke. Starts at 9 p.m.; tickets are $9.95 and available at https://bit.ly/Trading4sNYE. You can catch the YouTube stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bDqD0va_r4A portion of proceeds benefits the Blues Foundation COVID-19 Performing Blues Musicians Emergency Relief Fund and Lawndale’s Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago.

https://chicagobluesnetwork.com/schedule/

First Night Evanston

Corky Siegel will be joined by the Chamber Blues Ensemble, jazz saxophonist Ernie Watts and Chicago vocalist Lynne Jordan in a virtual 95-minute celebration with wild blues harmonica, piano, and “songs about unity, corn, justice, bridges, lies, potatoes and love.” Show starts at 10 p.m., followed by a live Zoom chat with Siegel, and a sing-a-long version of “Auld Lang Syne” with Siegel, Watts and Jordan at midnight. Reservations are required and free at Eventbrite.com. Donations are encouraged to support the performers and our organization.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-night-evanston-a-new-years-eve-celebration-of-the-arts-registration-133488488663

EDITOR’S NOTE: In addition, you can tune in live at 11:25 p.m. Thursday to the ABC-Channel 7 New Year’s Eve special, a Chicago countdown tradition for the past 29 years and hosted by Janet Davies and Mark Giangreco. The show will feature live and taped segments, and the return of Terrell Brown and Cheryl Scott to “Dance Away Pandemic Blues” in the show’s opening number.

Matthew Rodrigues and Cortney Hall of “Chicago Today” will host another local special beginning at 11:30 p.m. on WMAQ-Channel 5, featuring guest appearances by Carson Kressley and Chrissy Metz.

Selena Fragassi is a local freelance writer.