Chicago is Going Yellow!

Supported by BOMA Chicago


Starting January 7, 2026, the Chicago skyline will glow in a bold shade of yellow, a citywide symbol of hope, health, and a fresh start, made possible through BOMA Chicago’s support of Dry January® USA. As Chicago’s leading advocate for building excellence and community collaboration, BOMA Chicago is proud to help amplify this public health movement and invite Chicagoans to explore what a reset can feel like by choosing an alcohol-free January.

Under the banner “Chicago is Going Yellow,” iconic landmarks and participating buildings will illuminate the night, creating a powerful visual show of solidarity across downtown and neighborhoods alike. More than a beautiful skyline moment, it is a shared signal that wellness, moderation and prevention belong in the center of our community conversations.

Dry January® USA is not about perfection. It is about reflection, renewal and building momentum for the year ahead. With BOMA Chicago’s partnership, Chicago’s kickoff week will spotlight ways to participate through community visibility, alcohol-free options and simple wellness challenges that help people reset at their own pace.

Whether you live here or you’re visiting, come see Chicago Going Yellow and join the movement that is making the city brighter and healthier, one day at a time. Look up, take a photo, share the message and consider taking the challenge with friends, colleagues and family.

Learn more about BOMA Chicago’s Illuminate Chicago Lighting Program here.

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Following is the Chicago Press Release:

December 30, 2026
For Immediate Release
Contact: Caryn Stancik
carynstancik@gmail.com
312-203-7796

Dry January® USA Chooses Chicago for Public Awareness Campaign and
Challenges 10,000 Chicagoans to Use the Free Try Dry® App

Chicago – Dry January® USA, the official U.S. sponsor of the global movement to reduce alcohol consumption, has selected Chicago as a flagship city for its January 2026 public awareness campaign. Beginning January 7–13, 2026, Dry January® USA has requested that downtown and neighborhood buildings illuminate the Chicago skyline in YELLOW to encourage residents to take a break from alcohol and to raise awareness about the health benefits of reducing alcohol use.

“While many people successfully abstain from alcohol for the full month of January, we are also encouraging those who are new to the movement or who want added support to try just one week and see how they feel,” said Dr. Michael Caldwell, Chief Medical Officer of Dry January® USA, a program housed at Meharry Medical College and the Meharry School of Global Health.
In 2022, Meharry Medical College—the largest private historically Black academic health center in the United States—became the officially licensed academic home for Dry January® USA. Meharry is based in Nashville, Tennessee and is celebrating its 150th anniversary beginning in 2026.

Dry January® USA and Meharry Medical College are working together to shift national attitudes about alcohol consumption while advancing health equity. Alcohol remains one of the top three leading causes of preventable death in the United States.
“Alcohol is deeply woven into American culture. We use it to celebrate, socialize, relax and cope,” said Dr. Caldwell. “Our goal is to educate people about the harms of alcohol—from mental health conditions to liver disease, cancer, financial stress and family disruption—and to provide accessible tools that support alcohol reduction, including our free Try Dry® app.”

Co-created with drinkers and grounded in behavioral science, the Try Dry® app encourages experimentation rather than perfection. Features include planned drinking, custom goals, tracking calories and money saved and short-term challenges called missions.
“Unlike sobriety-only apps, Try Dry® works whether someone wants to cut back or take a break entirely,” Dr. Caldwell added. Research shows that using the Try Dry® app during January significantly increases success in achieving personal goals. Dry January® USA anticipates strong participation from Chicago residents throughout January 2026.

As part of the campaign, Dry January® USA will also host a Chicago-based viewing and community celebration featuring alcohol-free beverages, food and connection. Additional details will be announced on the Dry January® USA website.

About Dry January® USA

Dry January® began in the United Kingdom and has expanded across the United States as a public health initiative encouraging people to start the year without alcohol. The campaign helps individuals reset their relationship with drinking and experience the physical, mental and emotional benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle.

About Meharry Medical College

Founded in 1876, Meharry Medical College is a historic institution dedicated to training diverse healthcare professionals and advancing health equity. Meharry has long been a national leader in addressing health disparities through education, research and community engagement. As the U.S. academic home for Dry January® USA, Meharry continues its legacy of empowering individuals and communities to make informed, evidence-based decisions about their health.

About Dr. Michael Caldwell

Dr. Michael Caldwell provides leadership in alcohol research, public health education, health communications and vaccine research & education at Meharry Medical College. He is an Internal Medicine physician trained at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York and holds a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University. Dr. Caldwell completed a Preventive Medicine residency at the State University of New York at Albany, where he also served as a resident physician with the ABC News Medical Unit.

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