If you’ve been checking your DVR every Wednesday night only to find holiday specials instead of Firehouse 51, you aren’t alone. Despite the high-octane start to the season, NBC has officially confirmed that there will be no new episodes of Chicago Fire for the remainder of 2025.
The show aired its “Fall Finale,” titled Pierce the Vein, on November 12, 2025, and has since entered an extended winter hiatus. While the wait feels long, we finally have a confirmed date for when the sirens will wail again.
The Official Return Date: January 7, 2026
The “One Chicago” franchise will make its grand return on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Chicago Fire will reclaim its 9:00 PM ET/PT time slot, sandwiched between Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. NBC opted for an earlier-than-usual break this year to clear the Wednesday schedule for a massive slate of holiday programming, including the television debut of Wicked and various seasonal specials like Christmas in Nashville. While this “dark December” has been tough for fans, it ensures that when the show returns in 2026, it can run a consistent string of new episodes before the 2026 Winter Olympics begin in February.
What to Expect in Episode 8: “A Man Possessed”
When the season resumes with its 8th episode, the stakes will be life-and-death right from the opening scene.
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Severide’s Fate: The Fall Finale left Kelly Severide and Van Meter trapped in a rapidly deteriorating apartment fire. The January premiere will pick up exactly where we left off, resolving a cliffhanger that has fans terrified for the veteran firefighter’s future.
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Firehouse 51 Under Siege: It’s not just physical fires the team is fighting. Chief Dom Pascal has revealed that Engine 51 is on the chopping block due to citywide budget cuts. Mouch and the rest of the crew will have to prove their indispensability to save their home.
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New Conflicts: The tension between Pascal’s rigid leadership and the house’s family dynamic is expected to reach a breaking point, especially as his mysterious past continues to come to light.
Season 14 by the Numbers
If you’re planning a marathon on Peacock during the break, here is where the season stands:
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Total Episodes Confirmed: 21
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Episodes Aired in 2025: 7
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Episodes Remaining in 2026: 14
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Streaming Home: All current episodes are available on Peacock, with new episodes streaming the day after their 2026 broadcast.
The “One Chicago” family is currently enjoying a well-deserved rest, but the return on January 7 promises to be one of the most emotional and high-stakes winter premieres in the show’s history. Firehouse 51 is down, but they are definitely not out.
