Sightseeing Cruises

Chicago Fireworks Cruise

Chicago River dinner cruise with city skyline and colorful building lights.

Couple dining on a Chicago river cruise with city skyline view.

Cruise on Chicago River with city skyline at night.

Dinner cruise guests toasting with Chicago skyline and Ferris wheel in background.

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.1/5(31)

Justin C

Couple

Verified booking

3 days ago

At first it was a little hard to find the boarding location but if you're doing the speedboat tour, just look for the Seadog ticket booth. The boarding process definitely could use some work as that part felt disorganized, but once we got on the boat it was a really wonderful experience. The views were great and the guide was awesome! Highly recommend, but definitely arrive early!

Roberta L

Couple

Verified booking

3 days ago

Noah! He was such an amazing server! It was our first time experiencing Chicago and Noah really made us feel special! I would definitely be recommending my friends!

Maugan D

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Hello! It was an amazing cruise for what it was, host was personable and the ride was fun! However... we booked through a third party and it we were expecting a more of a dinner cruise, with an open bar and where we could walk around the boat. When we booked, the options were nice dinner, reeeally nice dinner, and this cruise; and pictures were of the dinner cruise boats. Perhaps this could have been rectified with further reading, but I maintain the listing was misleading. Good experience, just not the one we expected.

Denise M

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The cruise was fantastic. We were celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary and they really made it special. Our server, Lauren, was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. We got a lovely "Happy Anniversary " dessert, the manager asked for our favorite song, the guitarist on the upper deck was outstanding and the fireworks truly topped offfed a wonderful evening.

Mercede A

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

I was unable to leave a 1 star this was the worst experience I've ever encountered for $300 this place is a gimmick and please do not do business with this company I have started legal action because we work way to hard for our money for them to steal it ruined my 5th year wedding anniversary

Dominick R

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Amazing ambiance and setting, food was delicious, servers were very attentive, and the DJ was spectacular great music and dedication songs took pictures for guest just an amazing experience from start to finish!!!

Experience Navy Pier’s fireworks from the water on a scenic evening cruise, with front-row views of the illuminated Chicago skyline and fireworks reflecting across Lake Michigan.

Enjoy a relaxed and crowd-free atmosphere as you sail past iconic sights like Navy Pier and Chicago’s skyline, with panoramic views from the open water.

Choose from a variety of cruise experiences, including a plated dinner, buffet dinner, or speedboat ride, with options for different cruise routes and onboard entertainment.

Dinner cruises include reserved seating, a full meal, and complimentary coffee, tea, iced tea, and water, creating a complete evening of dining and sightseeing.

Bring your own drinks on the speedboat cruises or purchase cocktails, beer, wine, and other beverages onboard on your dinner cruise while enjoying festive photo opportunities throughout the experience.

60-minute fireworks speedboat cruise on Lake Michigan (as per option selected)

Scenic sightseeing and dinner cruise with Navy Pier Fireworks (2-3 hours) (as per option selected)

Buffet dinner (Menu) (as per option selected)

Premier plated dinner (Menu) (as per option selected)

Premier Plus plated dinner (Menu) (as per option selected)

Creative cocktails, wine, and beer (available for purchase onboard) (as per option selected)

Unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and water (as per option selected)

Views of Navy Pier’s fireworks display (weather permitting)

Climate-controlled interior deck (as per option selected)

Live DJ entertainment (as per option selected)

Departure from Navy Pier (as per option selected)

Departure from River Esplanade, near Michigan Avenue (as per option selected)

Scenic Lake Michigan views (as per option selected)

Scenic Chicago River views (as per option selected)

Dress code: Casual (as per option selected)

Dress code: Cocktail (as per option selected)

Additional expenses not included with the ticket

Parking

Transportation to/from the departure location

Guided tour

Gratuities

TOTAL DURATION1 hour
FREQUENCYWednesday & Saturday nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day
MODE OF TRANSFERSpeedboat
1 Boarding point
Navy Pier
Get direction
Sights covered
Lake Michigan
Chicago skyline
Navy Pier fireworks
TOTAL DURATION2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours
FREQUENCYMemorial Day to Labor Day, on Wednesday & Saturday
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
1 Boarding point
Navy Pier
Get direction
Sights covered
Navy Pier fireworks
Lake Michigan
Willis Tower
Adler Planetarium
Chicago Harbor Lock
DuSable Harbor
TOTAL DURATION2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours
FREQUENCYMemorial Day to Labor Day, on Wednesday & Saturday
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
1 Boarding point
Chicago River Esplanade
Get direction
Sights covered
Chicago River
Chicago Riverwalk
River Esplanade
NBC Tower
Tribune Tower
Marina City
Merchandise Mart
Adler Planetarium
Willis Tower
Navy Pier fireworks
DuSable Harbor
Chicago Harbor Lock
Lake Michigan

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

31 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Maugan D
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Hello! It was an amazing cruise for what it was, host was personable and the ride was fun! However... we booked through a third party and it we were expecting a more of a dinner cruise, with an open bar and where we could walk around the boat. When we booked, the options were nice dinner, reeeally nice dinner, and this cruise; and pictures were of the dinner cruise boats. Perhaps this could have been rectified with further reading, but I maintain the listing was misleading. Good experience, just not the one we expected.
Justin C
Couple
Verified booking
3 days ago
At first it was a little hard to find the boarding location but if you're doing the speedboat tour, just look for the Seadog ticket booth. The boarding process definitely could use some work as that part felt disorganized, but once we got on the boat it was a really wonderful experience. The views were great and the guide was awesome! Highly recommend, but definitely arrive early!
Denise M
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The cruise was fantastic. We were celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary and they really made it special. Our server, Lauren, was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. We got a lovely "Happy Anniversary " dessert, the manager asked for our favorite song, the guitarist on the upper deck was outstanding and the fireworks truly topped offfed a wonderful evening.
Mercede A
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
I was unable to leave a 1 star this was the worst experience I've ever encountered for $300 this place is a gimmick and please do not do business with this company I have started legal action because we work way to hard for our money for them to steal it ruined my 5th year wedding anniversary
Dominick R
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Amazing ambiance and setting, food was delicious, servers were very attentive, and the DJ was spectacular great music and dedication songs took pictures for guest just an amazing experience from start to finish!!!

What to bring

Follow the suggested dress code for your cruise.

Bring a light layer or jacket to stay comfortable if the breeze picks up on the open-air deck.

Keep a valid ID with you during the cruise for verification purposes.

Guests may bring beverages onboard for the speedboat cruise as long as they are not packed in glass containers.

What's not allowed

Glass bottles and other glass containers are not allowed on board for the speedboat cruise.

Guests cannot bring outside meals or food onto the cruise.

Outside alcohol is prohibited on dinner cruises, though alcoholic drinks are available for purchase during the experience.

Pets and dogs are not permitted on the fireworks cruise.

Accessibility

The speedboat cruise may not be suitable for pregnant guests or those with neck or back concerns.

Additional information

Depending on the cruise selected, boarding starts 30 minutes to 1 hour before departure; refer to your confirmation email for the most accurate details.

Cruises depart either from Navy Pier at 600 East Grand Avenue or the River Esplanade at 455 N Cityfront Plaza Drive in Chicago.

Sailings operate on Wednesday and Saturday nights from Memorial Day until Labor Day, with timings varying slightly by date and cruise package.

Signature Dinner Cruises run Wednesdays from 7pm–9:30pm and Saturdays from 8pm–11pm; Premier Dinner Cruises follow the same schedule, while Premier Plus cruises operate Wednesdays from 7pm–9:30pm and Saturdays from 7:30pm–10:30pm.

Boarding for dinner cruises begins 30–60 minutes before departure, depending on the selected option.

Navy Pier hosts the fireworks show, which may change or be canceled due to weather conditions.

Dietary needs can be accommodated on dinner cruises if requested in advance.

Children under 12 years old must remain with an adult during the cruise.

Infants below the age of 2 can join free of charge.

Alcoholic beverages are sold separately on board during the dinner cruise and are not included with admission.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.