McHenry County New Year's Eve Events: 2021 Guide

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Where do you plan to ring in 2022? From extravagant galas to live music to cozy cocktail parties, there’s something for everyone in the Crystal Lake area this New Year’s Eve.

Amid a surge in COVID-19 infections due to the fast-spreading omicron variant, some celebrations may be going virtual again even as 205 million Americans are fully vaccinated and more than 67 million have received booster doses — something health officials say is critical to protect yourself and others around you from the virus.

Still, there are likely to be more in-person celebrations this year, and if you’re among those hoping to get out this New Year’s Eve, here’s a sampling of events happening right here in and around Crystal Lake:

• Steve Cochran’s New Year’s Eve Comedy Show

3 p.m. Friday

Raue Center the Arts, Crystal Lake

• New Year’s Eve at the Speakeasy

5 p.m. Friday

Emerson & Oliver (Reservations required)

• Earthmover and Miles Over Mountains

7 p.m. Friday

Mackey’s Hideout, McHenry

• American English Beatles Tribute Show

8 p.m. Friday

Raue Center For The Arts, Crystal Lake

• New Year’s Eve Skating Party

1-5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.-1 AM Friday

Xtreme Wheels Roller Skating and Family Center, Crystal Lake

Despite this year’s planned festivities, many Crystal Lake residents may opt to stay home as the state experiences a surge in daily coronavirus cases thanks to the fast-spreading omicron variant.

On Thursday, state health officials confirmed a single-day record for new COVID-19 cases with 30,386 new cases and 87 new COVID-19 related deaths. The new caseload was reported after the Illinois Department of Pubic Health conducted more than 196,000 tests over the past 24 hours, the heath department said. Illinois’ positivity rate now stands at 10.2 percent.

Hospitalizations also surged as the state reported that 5,689 COVID-19 patients had been hospitalized the hospital, which represents the most since December 1, 2020. Of those patients, 1,010 were in intensive care units, and 565 were on ventilators, state health officials announced on Thursday.

Still, if you’re vaccinated and take the necessary precautions, you should be able to gather this New Year’s Eve safely.

But health officials are warning residents to display caution as they gather given the increased number of new cases, many of which are associated with the omicron variant.