Is ‘Chicago Fire’ on Tonight? Here’s When New Season 14 Episodes Will Come Back to TV md19

The sirens have fallen silent in the Windy City, leaving fans of NBC’s Chicago Fire—and the entire One Chicago franchise—in the throes of the annual midseason hiatus. After an explosive start to Season 14 that saw major cast shake-ups, relationship turmoil, and a heart-stopping cliffhanger in the fall finale, the firefighters of Firehouse 51 have temporarily hung up their helmets for the holiday break.

So, for fans anxiously wondering, “Is Chicago Fire on tonight, Wednesday, November 20, 2025?” the answer is no. NBC has placed the entire One Chicago lineup (Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D.) on hiatus to make way for holiday programming through the end of the year.

But don’t worry, the break is not long! NBC has already locked in the official return date for Season 14, Episode 8, ensuring that viewers will be reunited with Severide (Taylor Kinney), Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), Violet (Hanako Greensmith), and the rest of the crew early in the New Year. Here is everything you need to know about when Firehouse 51 will be back on your screen and where to catch up in the meantime.

🚨 The Official Return Date: January 7, 2026

The waiting game is officially over. NBC has confirmed that all three One Chicago dramas will return to their regular Wednesday night time slots on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

The Full One Chicago Schedule:

The Season 14 fall finale (Episode 7, “Pierce the Vein”, which aired on November 12, 2025) left fans on the edge of their seats. The episode closed with Kelly Severide and the entire house facing multiple threats: Severide went into a fire at a high school principal’s home only for the stairwell to be set ablaze, putting his life in immediate danger. Additionally, Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) revealed that the city’s budget cuts could lead to Firehouse 51 being “permanently decommissioned,” creating a massive institutional crisis for the team to fight.

📺 What’s Airing Instead of Chicago Fire?

While the One Chicago shows are on their winter break, NBC’s Wednesday night programming will be dominated by special holiday and unscripted specials.

In the 9:00 p.m. slot normally occupied by Chicago Fire, viewers can expect a mix of festive specials and other network events designed to draw high viewership during the holiday season. This includes movie broadcasts and holiday-themed variety shows.

• No New Episodes: Fans should be aware that no new scripted episodes for any of the One Chicago shows will air between mid-November 2025 and the return date in January 2026.

• The February Break: While the January 7 return is a firm date, viewers should note that the schedule may face a short break in February 2026 when the Winter Olympic Games take over NBC’s primetime schedule.

🍿 Catching Up: Where to Watch Season 14 Episodes

The break provides the perfect opportunity to catch up on the seven intense episodes that have already aired this season, which have been packed with drama, new characters, and major plot developments.

Streaming on Peacock

The easiest and most reliable way to watch or rewatch Chicago Fire Season 14 is on Peacock.

• Next-Day Streaming: All episodes of Season 14 are available to stream the day after their original broadcast on the NBC streaming platform.

• Full Library: Peacock is also the home for all previous seasons of Chicago Fire, allowing fans to binge-watch the show from the very beginning.

On-Demand and Cable

Check your local cable provider’s On-Demand service, as they often carry the most recent episodes for a limited time after they air. Hulu and other services that offer the NBC live stream may also have episodes available, depending on your subscription package.

📈 What to Expect in Chicago Fire Season 14’s Midseason Premiere

When Season 14, Episode 8 finally arrives in January, Firehouse 51 will be forced to immediately deal with the aftermath of the fall finale’s double cliffhanger.

1. Severide’s Rescue and Arson Fallout

The biggest immediate concern is Lieutenant Kelly Severide’s fate, as he was last seen trapped by an arsonist. The midseason premiere will undoubtedly feature a dramatic rescue, but the investigation into who started the fire and why will continue to drive the season’s core mystery. This is expected to push Severide’s arson investigation skills to the limit.

2. The Fight for Firehouse 51

Chief Pascal’s grim news about the decommissioning threat will unite the entire house in a fight for their professional lives.

• Political Battle: Expect Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) and Captain Herrmann (David Eigenberg) to spearhead a political campaign, using their public reputation and insider connections to save the firehouse, echoing classic Chicago Fire themes of the team defending their home.

• Mouch’s New Role: With Herrmann stepping down as an officer, Mouch (Christian Stolte) is moving into a leadership role on Engine. This promotion will put Mouch right in the middle of the fight to save 51.

3. Kidd’s Pregnancy and Family Dynamics

Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo)‘s pregnancy with Severide adds an intense layer of personal risk to the professional chaos. The danger Severide faced in the fall finale highlights the central theme for the couple this season: the immense stakes of being a first responder while also building a family.

• Violet and Novak: The paramedic storyline, featuring Violet Mikami and the new medic Novak, will continue to grow as they navigate the personal and professional pressure of the job amidst the major staffing and budget threats to the station.

The upcoming episodes promise to be an emotionally taxing and action-packed ride, making the four-month wait entirely worthwhile.