Best Bets: Kathy Griffin, Steve Cochran, Brent Morin among the comedians ringing in 2025
Exit 2024 laughing
Here are some options for revelers looking to conclude the holiday season with some laughs.
• Oak Park native Kathy Griffin, an Emmy Award-winner for her reality show “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List” and a Grammy Award-winner for her record “Calm Down Gurrl,” headlines the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, as part of her “My Life on the PTSD List” tour. $32.75-$79.50. msg.com/the-chicago-theatre. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
• The Bit Theater, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora, hosts a New Year’s Eve party that includes improv, a DJ and dancing along with party favors and a midnight toast. $25 per person, $45 per couple before Dec. 30. $30 per person, $65 per couple at the door. bitimprov.com. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Comedian and longtime radio personality Steve Cochran hosts his annual New Year’s Eve matinee at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Fellow funny men John DaCosse, Jim Flannigan and Tim Benker join Cochran for the early-bird performance. Tickets start at $49, $34.30 for RaueNOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Joe Machi, a veteran of “The Last Comic Standing” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and a regular on Fox News’ “Red Eye,” ushers in 2024 at Zanies Rosemont, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $35, plus a two-item food or beverage minimum. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Los Angeles-based comedian and actor Brent Morin, whose comedy special “I'm Brent Morin” is currently streaming on Netflix, headlines the Chicago Improv at 5 Woodfield Road, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. $33, plus a two-item food or beverage minimum. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com/chicago. 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Actor/writer/comedian Cameron Esposito (“A Million Little Things,” “The Rookie,” “Feds”) headlines the New Year’s Eve show at The Den Theater, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $35-$70. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
New Year’s gala at Navy Pier
Welcome 2025 with several thousand fellow revelers at a swanky New Year’s Eve ball at the Aon Grand Ballroom on Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. The event includes live music, DJs, dancing, light eats and beverages, party favors, a balloon drop and fireworks. $129-$239 admission; table packages $169-$199. navypier.org/nye-at-navy-pier. 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31