Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse, Dana Olsen will be at Studio5 in Evanston on NYE/Photo by Bradford Rogne Photography

Wishing everyone health, happiness and every good thing in 2022! Thank you very much for reading “Comedians Defying Gravity” this year. I appreciate every time you’ve dropped in! Following is a list of ways to bring in the New Year with laughter. Please confirm all details!

Cochran NYE Comedy at The Raue Center, Crystal Lake, 3:00 p.m. Headliner Steve Cochran of Radio 720 WGN and special guests including John DaCosse, Mike Toomey and Tim Benke.

Jeff Dunham at Allstate Arena, Rosemont, 3:00 p.m. The Seriously?! Tour.

KAPOW at The Comedy Shrine, Aurora, 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. An all-ages improv show.

Teatro ZinZanni at The Cambria Hotel, 8:00 p.m. Four-course dinner, show and post-show celebration.

Together At Last at Second City, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. “A non-stop celebration of how we have persisted and even thrived during these impossibly difficult times.”

The Best Decision You’ve Ever Made at Second City, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The 45th e.t.c. revue. “A choose-your-own comedy adventure explores the choices we make and how they impact us and everyone around us in a hilarious, heartfelt, and interactive way.”

Deck the Hallmark: A Greeting Card Channel Original at Second City, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Myq Kaplan at The Comedy Vault, Batavia, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Myq Kaplan will be at The Comedy Vault beginning December 30. Follow link for all show times.

NYE Comedy Night at Digs on Canal, Lemont, 7:00 p.m. Comedy, dinner and music.

Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue at Studio5, Evanston, 8:00 p.m. “The Practical Theatre returns to the Chicago area with the latest in a series of hit holiday shows, Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue, starring writer-actors Victoria Zielinski, Dana Olsen, and PTC co-founder, Paul Barrosse.” Some of the most acclaimed founders of Chicago sketch and improv return! Note: Also December 29-January 2. All show times here.

Calvin Evans at Zanies Chicago, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Calvin Evans is an award-winning nationally touring headliner. He is a Second City alum where he was a Bob Curry fellow. His credits include Kevin Hart Comedy Central series Hart of The City, LOL @ JFL, TruTV Laff Tracks, NBC’s Bring The Funny and Comedy Central’s South Side. His half hour Unprotected Sets special released in 2020 on EPIX.

Jimmy Schubert at Zanies Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Jimmy Schubert is a nationally touring headliner. He was a finalist on Last Comic Standing. He has numerous credits on the small and large screen, including American Nightmare with Danny Trejo and Viveca Fox and Puppy Love with Roseanne Arquette.

DeRay Davis Chi Town Comedy Countdown at Arie Crown Theater, 8:00 p.m. Featuring DeRay Davis, Michael Blackson, Jess Hilarious, Pretty Vee, and more TBA. Also December 30 and January 1.

The Sklar Brothers and Peyton Ruddy at The Comedy Shrine, Aurora, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Twins Randy and Jason Sklar have too many small and large screen credits to list. Peyton Ruddy is a comedian, actor, writer and one of Chicago’s fast-rising stars.

Whose Line NYE Show at The Comedy Shrine, Aurora, 8:00 p.m.

YIPPEE KI-YAY at The Annoyance Theatre, 8:00 p.m. A Die Hard musical parody.

Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night at Greenhouse Theater Center, 8:00 p.m. Follow link for all show times.

When Harry Met Rehab at Greenhouse Theater Center, 8:00 p.m. Starring Melissa Gilbert and Dan Butler. Melissa and Dan kindly spoke with me here. Follow link for all show times.

Warren B. Hall, Chris Trani, Jack Baker at CG’s Comedy Club, Bolingbrook, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

New Year’s Showcase at The Comedy Bar, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Lineup TBA.

New Year’s Eve Comedy Show at Red Room Comedy Club, 8:00 p.m. Mike Knight hosts Stephanie Robertson, Saku Yanagawa, Matt Banwart, Julia Stoyanova, Khaleel.

New Year’s Eve at The Lincoln Lodge 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Jamal Guichon and friends. At 8:00 p.m., there’s the Big Show in the Main Room. At 9:00 p.m., the show is in the more intimate Resolution Room and will be followed by by karaoke, a DJ and dancing, photographer, heavy appetizers, and a champagne toast at midnight.

The Hideout Presents New Years Eve 2022: Let’s Get It Started (In Here) at The Hideout, 9:30 p.m. Alex Collyard and Justice Hill host comedy by Skyler Higley, Maggie Winters, Parker Callahan, and Jake Prizant; drag by Derry Queen, and musical performances from ORISUN, Justice Hill & Nightime Love, and DJ Bonita Appleblunt.

Nitz & Howe New Years Eve 2021 Special Show at Davenport’s Piano Bar, 9:30 p.m. “As seen on WGN-TV and NBC-5, this show is part piano bar request, part audience participation, and part stand-up comedy; it is always spontaneous and never boring.”

Naughty New Year’s Eve! at The Comedy Shrine, 10:00 p.m. “Naughty improv.”

Taylor Williamson at The Improv, Schaumburg, 10:00 p.m. The “Ring in the New Year” show is at 10:00 p.m. There is also an earlier show at 7:30 p.m. Taylor Williamson has additional shows December 29-30.