Chicago Fire: 5 Critical Things To Know About The Show's Current Schedule And Mid-Season Hiatus

The short answer is no, Chicago Fire was not on last night, December 11, 2025. The entire "One Chicago" franchise, which includes Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D., is currently on its annual mid-season hiatus and will not air any new episodes during the month of December.

The popular NBC drama has been off the air since its intense fall finale in November, leaving fans of Firehouse 51 with a massive cliffhanger that has them eagerly counting down the days until the show’s return. The good news is that the show’s return date is officially locked in, and the wait is almost over.

The Definitive Chicago Fire Season 14 Schedule and Hiatus Details

For those searching for the latest episode, the most recent broadcast was the Season 14 fall finale, which aired on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Since then, the show has been on a scheduled break, a common practice for network television series during the late fall and holiday season.

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This mid-season hiatus is a standard part of the network's broadcasting strategy, allowing the production team to complete the remaining episodes of the season. The show’s regular air time is Wednesday nights at 9/8c on NBC.

When Does Chicago Fire Return? The Official Winter Premiere Date

The wait for new episodes of Chicago Fire will conclude early in the new year. The official return date for the Season 14 winter premiere has been confirmed by NBC.

• Return Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
• Time Slot: 9/8c (Following Chicago Med and preceding Chicago P.D.)
• Network: NBC
• Streaming: New episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.

The January 7th date marks the beginning of the second half of Season 14, which is expected to consist of 21 episodes in total. Fans should mark their calendars, as this episode will pick up immediately after the dramatic events of the fall finale.

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The Massive Cliffhanger That Left Firehouse 51 in Danger

The reason for the high search volume around "was Chicago Fire on last night" is largely due to the intense cliffhanger that concluded the fall finale, titled "Pierce the Vein." The episode left the fate of a fan-favorite character hanging in the balance, creating significant anticipation for the winter premiere.

The episode’s main storyline focused on Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and his continued work with the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI). Severide was called to investigate a suspicious high school fire, a plot that ultimately led to the dangerous final moments.

The final moments of the episode saw Severide, while on the scene with Van Meter, become trapped. The mid-season finale wrapped up with a pair of cliffhangers that put the lives and livelihoods of Firehouse 51’s first responders in jeopardy. The question of whether Severide will survive the blaze is the central mystery that the winter premiere will resolve.

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Key Entities and Plot Points to Remember

To fully appreciate the return of the show, fans need to recall the key developments from the first half of Season 14:

• Severide’s OFI Work: Severide’s dedication to the Office of Fire Investigation has been a recurring theme, often pulling him away from his duties on Truck 81 and creating tension.
• The Fall Finale Incident: The episode "Pierce the Vein" saw Severide and Van Meter investigating a suspicious fire, leading to Severide being trapped in the burning structure.
• The One Chicago Crossover Potential: While not a full crossover, the "One Chicago" shows often feature shared storylines or character appearances. The winter premiere is expected to focus heavily on the immediate aftermath at Firehouse 51.
• Novak’s Unexpected Call: The fall finale also featured a separate, intriguing plot point where Novak received an unexpected call, hinting at a new storyline for the second half of the season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Chicago Fire Hiatus

The annual break always generates a flurry of questions from viewers. Here are the most common inquiries about the current Chicago Fire schedule and return.

Is the entire One Chicago franchise off the air?

Yes, all three shows—Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D.—are on their mid-season hiatus for the entire month of December 2025. This means there will be no new episodes of any "One Chicago" show until the January 2026 return.

Why is Chicago Fire not airing new episodes in December?

Network television shows typically take a planned winter break to avoid airing new episodes during the low viewership period around the Christmas and New Year holidays. This break also allows the show's writers and production crew time to film and finalize the remaining episodes of Season 14.

How can I catch up on Chicago Fire before the winter premiere?

All current and past seasons of Chicago Fire are available to stream on Peacock. This is the best way to rewatch the intense Season 14 fall finale and prepare for the January 7th return.

What is the next episode of Chicago Fire called?

While the official title of the winter premiere (Season 14, Episode 8) has not been widely publicized, it will be the episode that resolves the Severide cliffhanger and kicks off the second half of the season's intense storylines. It is highly anticipated to be a high-stakes episode, picking up right where "Pierce the Vein" left off.

Conclusion: The Countdown to January 7, 2026

While Chicago Fire was not on last night, the good news is that the end of the mid-season hiatus is in sight. The show’s return on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, promises to be an explosive event that answers the fate of Lieutenant Severide and delivers a fresh wave of drama for the dedicated crew of Firehouse 51. Until then, fans can rewatch the first seven episodes of Season 14 on Peacock to relive the intense moments and prepare for the winter premiere.