Stay Cozy in Your Car with Chicagoland’s Best Drive-Thru Holiday Light Shows

Enjoy a drive-thru holiday experience with your kids this year at these spots in Chicagoland.

Sometimes going to a holiday lights event can be a whole ordeal. Maybe the weather isn’t the best or maybe your child seems too cranky to get out of the car and walk around. Either way, Chicagoland has some great holiday light events that you can view from the inside of your own vehicle.

These drive-thru holiday lights in Chicago and the suburbs are as extravagant as ever! Be sure to get your tickets this holiday season, put on some holiday tunes and enjoy them with the whole family.

This article was recently published on Dec. 5, 2024, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. It included her adding drive-thru holiday lights to the ChicagoParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best drive-thru holiday lights in Chicagoland. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagoparent.com.

Drive-Thru Holiday Light Shows in Chicagoland

Light of Christmas Drive Thru at Guaranteed Rate Field

Nov. 21, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025 

  • Address: 333 W. 35th St., Chicago
  • Cost: $20.99-plus/vehicle

Visitors at this drive-thru experience can enjoy the immersive holiday light show from the comfort of their own car.

Santa’s Rock n Lights – Drive Thru Light Show at Kane County Cougars

Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2024 

  • Address: 34w002 Cherry Lane, Geneva
  • Cost: $29.99-plus/carload (prices vary by date)

At this holiday lights event, visitors will see more than 1,000 feet of dancing light tunnels, larger-than-life 3D polar bears, dinosaurs, reindeer and gift of light and hundreds-of-thousands of lights dancing to music.

Willow Hill Lights at Willow Hill Golf Course

Willow Hills Winter Magic
Photo Credit: Willow Hills Winter Magic

Nov. 22, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025 

  • Address: 1350 Willow Road, Northbrook
  • Cost: $40/car 

Enjoy this drive thru holiday lights show, which features a 2.5 mile route with over one million lights, three drive through tunnels and a 30 foot Christmas tree.

Aurora Festival of Lights at Phillips Park Zoo

Aurora Festival of Lights
Photo Credit: Aurora Festival of Lights

Nov. 29-Dec. 29, 2024

  • Address: 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora
  • Cost: Free

Drive-through one mile of spectacular lighted displays and listen to holiday songs on a closed-circuit radio station. See displays such as the holiday golfer, Santa’s toy factory, gigantic snowflakes, ice skating bears, jumping reindeer, howling wolves, old man winter and more. Registration required.

Looking for Christmas Lights Worth the Drive?

Christmas Carnival of Lights in Wisconsin

Christmas Carnival of Lights
Photo credit: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort

Nov. 23-Dec. 31, 2024 

  • Address: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, 8425 Highway 38, Caledonia, WI
  • Cost: $30-plus/vehicle

 Drive through the 2.6 miles of lights by car, aboard Santa’s giant sleigh, or on the charming Golf Cart Holiday Train, photos with Santa, outdoor ice skating, photo-ops and walk-through areas, holiday treats and beverages, cozy fire pits, shopping and more. Guests can tune into their radio and watch as the lights dance along in harmony to holiday music.


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Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano is a mom of one and Chicago Parent's Audience Development Coordinator. She tracks down the best events every week and shares the inside scoop with families online. She enjoys reading, traveling and exploring new places with her son.

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