The holiday season has arrived, and with it comes the joy of twinkling lights and festive displays across Chicagoland! Whether you’re looking for a magical evening with family or a festive outing with friends, these stunning holiday lights are sure to spark holiday cheer.
From the enchanting Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum to the beloved Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights, these dazzling displays offer something for everyone. Plus, there’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing the awe on your kids’ faces as they gaze at the sparkling lights around them. Check out the best holiday light shows Chicagoland has to offer this season!
This article was recently updated on Dec. 4, 2024, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. The update included her adding more photos and the latest information on the best holiday light displays in Chicagoland. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.
Best holiday lights near me
Best holiday light displays in Chicagoland
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Nov. 15, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025
- Address: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
- Cost: $32-$39/adults, $17-$24/ages 3-12, free/2 and under
See thousands of twinkling lights while walking through the Winter Cathedral and a reimagined fire garden.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Nov. 15, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025
- Address: 2100 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: $7-$10/Tuesdays-Sundays, free/select Mondays; fees for additional encounters and activities
Enjoy a twinkling winter wonderland at Lincoln Park Zoo. Festive activities include visits with Santa, a holiday pop-up bar, sweet treats of all kinds and more. They also have a sensory-friendly event on Dec. 4.
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Nov. 16, 2024-Jan. 6, 2025
- Address: 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free w/museum admission; $25.95/ages 12-plus, $14.95/ages 3-11, free/2 and under
This Chicago tradition began in 1942 with a single tree. Now the museum features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree surrounded by more than 50 other trees and displays. Each tree nearby showcases holiday customs from various cultures worldwide.
Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum
Nov. 16, 2024-Jan. 4, 2025
- Address: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
- Cost: $23.50-plus
Surround yourselves with color while walking on the one-mile paved pathway. Enjoy seasonal music, captivating light designs and roasting s’mores on a fire at this outdoor event.
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 can enjoy the immersive holiday light show from the comfort of their own car at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Holiday Magic at the Brookfield Zoo
Nov. 22-24, 29-30; Dec. 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-31, 2024
- Address: 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
- Cost: $29.95-$34.95/ages 12-64, $20.95-$24.95/ages 3-11, free/2 and under
This annual event features more than two million twinkling LED lights and is Chicagoland’s longest-running holiday light experience! This year, there will be a new holiday market and two new themed lighting areas. Advanced tickets required.
Santa’s Rock n Lights – Drive Thru Light Show
Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2024
- Address: Kane County Cougars, 34w002 Cherry Lane, Geneva
- Cost: Starting at $29.99/carload of up to six people; prices vary by date
Enjoy more than 1,000 feet of dancing light tunnels, larger-than-life 3D light sculptures of polar bears, reindeer, dinosaurs and gift of light and hundreds of thousands of lights dancing to music for about a mile or more.
Willow Hill Lights at Willow Hill Golf Course
Nov. 22, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025
- Address: 1350 Willow Road, Northbrook
- Cost: $40/car
The holiday lights show features a 2.5-mile route. It includes over one million lights, three drive-through tunnels and a 30-foot Christmas tree.
Cosley Zoo Festival of Lights
Nov. 29-Dec. 30, 2024
- Address: 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton
- Cost: Free; donations appreciated
See twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees and wreaths and greenery at this holiday lighting event. Lights come on at 3 p.m. Also, hot chocolate and holiday gifts are available to purchase in the Wild Side Gift Shop.
Kohlights: A Mesmertastic Holiday Lightacular!
Nov. 29–30; Dec 6–7, 13-14, 20-22, 2024
- Address: Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
- Cost: Early admission: $28-plus/non-members, $22-plus/members; Regular admission: $22-plus/non-members, $16-plus/members; free/under 12 months
Kids can take control over the light display at different activity stations along the way at this holiday event. Kohlights is now an indoor and outdoor experience, so there will be access to all indoor exhibits as well.
Christmas in the Commons at New Lenox Commons
Nov. 30; Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 2024
- Address: 145-199 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox
- Cost: Free
See a holiday light display with their 50-foot tall lighted Santa Claus and holiday activities to accompany the lights, including visits from Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, synthetic skating rinks and more.
Christmas at Cantigny
Through Jan. 4, 2025
- Address: 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
- Cost: $12-plus/ages 16-plus, $8-plus/ages 4-15, free/ages 0-3
Families can stroll through a half-mile, fully ADA- and stroller-accessible path at Cantigny to see the music-orchestrated light shows, festive decorations, larger-than-life flower sculptures and a 28-foot Christmas tree.
Christmas Carnival of Lights in Wisconsin
Nov. 23-Dec. 31, 2024
- Address: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, 8425 HWY 38, Caledonia, WI
- Cost: $30-plus/vehicle
Worth the drive! The biggest, brightest and most dazzling drive-through light show is nestled in the woods of Caledonia, WI – just 75 miles north of Chicago. Activities include driving through the 2.6 mile light path 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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