It’s not too late to make big party plans for New Year’s Eve

COMPILED BY ANNIE ALLEMAN | FOR THE SUN-TIMES

Haven’t made your New Year’s Eve plans yet? There’s still time!

Here’s a list of some of the area’s biggest soirees to consider. Reservations were still available as of posting.

Hilton New Year’s Eve Soiree 2015. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. If you want to get on TV, this is your chance to be seen. This party will be ABC 7’s New Year’s Eve event, hosted by on-air personalities Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies. Highlights include several ballrooms of entertainment, a pasta buffet and discounted hotel rooms. VIP ticket holders will be able to “gamble” in a fantasy casino. General admission, $135; VIP $165. 720 S. Michigan. (312) 922-4400; visit chicagonye.com/wordpress.

Big Night Chicago. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. This swank NYE gala takes place at (and all over) the historic Palmer House Hilton, featuring multiple dance floors and rooms, drinks, food, celebrity DJs like Brody Jenner and William Lifestyle and ’80s hair-metal cover bands all leading up to the traditional midnight blowout. General admission starts at $119.99. 17 E. Monroe St. (888) 810-2063; visit bignightchicago.com.

Brew Year’s Eve. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. It looks like the craft beer trend that dominated 2014 is sticking around. Lou Dog Events brings you this craft beer-centric at the historic Salvage One building in Chicago. Twelve Chicagoland breweries will serve more than 30 different craft beers (hard cider and craft beer cocktails will also be available), bands will be on each floor, and there will hors d’oeuvres and a full dessert buffet. A party with a heart, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Grant Park Conservancy. Tickets, $125. 1840 W Hubbard. (888) 695-0888; visit BrewYearsEve.com.

Hilton New Year’s Eve Soiree 2015. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. If you want to get on TV, this is your chance to be seen. This party will be ABC 7’s New Year’s Eve event, hosted by on-air personalities Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies. Highlights include several ballrooms of entertainment, a pasta buffet and discounted hotel rooms. VIP ticket holders will be able to “gamble” in a fantasy casino. General admission, $135; VIP $165. 720 S. Michigan Ave. (312) 922-4400; visit chicagonye.com/wordpress.

New Year’s Eve Monster’s Ball. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. If you feel like Halloween passed you by this year, now’s your chance to do it right. Stage 773 looks to scare the pants off party-goers at its third annual New Year’s Eve Monster’s Ball. Don your scariest ensemble and ring in 2015 with Stage 773’s specialty drinks, appetizers, a zombie band, a haunted house and a midnight “cham-PAIN” toast. A VIP ticket includes monster makeup and a photo booth. General admission, $70; VIP $100. 1225 W. Belmont. (773) 327-5252; visit stage773.com.

Chicago Resolution Gala at the Grand Ballroom Navy Pier. 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.You won’t go thirsty with more than 30 bars in the venue, plus you have a great view of the annual midnight fireworks show. Buffet tables stationed throughout the venue will keep your energy at peak performance levels. General admission begins at $109. 600 E. Grand. (312) 595-7437; visit Navypier.com/new-years-eve.

NYE at Headquarters. At the original Lakeview location of Headquarters Beercade, Tim and Dan, the rhythm section of OK Go, act as DJs while you play Frogger, nosh and do the champagne toast. $75. 2833 N. Sheffield Ave. (773) 665-5660; visit hqbeercade.com. Over at the newest location of the retro-cool arcade bar, you will find the Neon Trees’ lead singer, Tyler Glenn, acting as the guest DJ. $85. Headquarters Beercade River North, 213 W. Institute Place. (312) 291-8735; visit hqbeercade.com/rivernorth.

Rock’n New Year’s Eve Party. Ring in 2015 with the legendary Otis Day. He parties in Naperville at Hollywood Palms Cinema for the second year running with his band, The Knights. The $40 ticket gets you a choice of any six first-run movies or a special showing of “Animal House,” plus appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight. Staybridge Suites Naperville/Aurora has partnered with The Hollywood Palms and is offering reduced rates and a free shuttle service. 352 Route 59, Naperville. (630) 428-5800; visit hollywoodpalmscinema.com.

New Year’s Eve Gangster Murder Mystery. 6:30 p.m. The train leaves Chicago’s Union Station and goes round-trip to Milwaukee. Along the way, someone gets offed and it’s your job to figure out whodunit. Fortunately, there will be an open bar, prime rib dinner, live band and midnight champagne toast to help you with the clues. (773) 267-6400; visit mysteryltd.com.

NYE at the Willowbrook Ballroom. 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. An event doesn’t get to be 73-years-old without doing something right. This long-running celebration keeps it classy with an elegant dinner and then dancing to the music of the Teddy Lee Orchestra. Dinner packages run between $95-$125; dancing-only tickets cost $37.50 in advance and $50 at the door. 900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. (708) 839-1000; visit willowbrookballroom.com.

Star Plaza New Year’s Eve Bash. 8 p.m. Chicago-based comedian Damon Williams performs a New Year’s Show at the Star Plaza Theatre, 8001 Delaware Place, Merrillville, Ind., (800) 745-3000; visit starplazatheatre.com. Tickets $25-$50.

New Year’s Eve Celebration. 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Prime rib, pasta, chicken, open bar, dancing, champagne toast and midnight balloon drop at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso, Ind. (219) 464?0133; porterco.org/expocenter. $65.

NYE Bash at the Illinois Beach Resort. This NYE beach bash includes a full dinner with dessert, wine service during dinner, open bar all night, sweet table, and champagne toast at midnight with balloon drop. Bash-only tickets start at $99; dinner and overnight packages available as well. One Lake Front Drive, Zion. (847) 625-7300; visit ilresorts.com.

Annie Alleman is a local freelance writer.