Where to see holiday lights in the city

One of our favorite parts of the holiday season is all the festive light displays you can see in Chicagoland! If you do not feeling like making the trek to the suburbs, we’ve rounded up the best holiday lights to see in Chicago. 

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

When: Through Jan. 5

Where: Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

Cost: Free with admission

The Museum of Science & Industry’s holiday trees have been around for more than 75 years and they never disappoint! Learn about Christmas and other holiday traditions around the globe. From there, take a photo in front of their four-story Grand Tree. If you’re there during the weekends, don’t miss out on various cultural performances and activities. Join us for our ornament scavenger hunt!

Art on the Mart

When: Through Dec. 31 (Select dates)

Where: 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago

Cost: Free

Art on the Mart is still going on at Merchandise Mart. The free light show now has a holiday twist with their Windy City Wonderland. If you’re spending the holidays downtown, stop by to see the building illuminate with festive holiday projections featuring Chicago’s skyline. 

ZooLights

When: Through Jan. 5 (select dates)

Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago

Cost: Free

Head over to Lincoln Park Zoo to enjoy their annual holiday attraction. ZooLights offers more than two million lights twinkling all over the zoo. Stop by their Family Nights on Dec. 16, 23 and 30 to enjoy more holiday fun with unlimited free rides on Lionel Train Adventure and AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, and carolers strolling around the zoo. 

Logan Square

When: Through Dec. 31

Where: Logan Boulevard 

Cost: Free

If you don’t feel like getting out of your car, drive through Logan Square to find some houses decked out for the holidays. Look out for the “Logan Square Christmas House” at the corner of Logan Blvd. and Talman Ave showing off spectacular holiday decorations since 1983. 

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier

When: Through Jan. 12

Where: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago

Winter Wonderfest offers plenty of rides and slides for kids. There is also thousands of glistening lights and trees to delight all ages. 

CTA Holiday Train

When: Through Dec. 23 (select dates)

Where: Various locations on CTA

Cost: $2.50, free for kids 7 and under

Covered in bows, garland and lights, the CTA Holiday Train helps everyone get into the holiday spirit. Plan ahead to get a spot on the train and spot Santa on his sleigh. On Saturdays, passengers can also enjoy the elves’ workshop train, which is followed by the holiday train. 

Sauganash

When: Through Dec. 31

Where: Devon Avenue

Cost: Free

Here’s another neighborhood to stop some lights from the car! Sauganash homes go all out for the holiday season, so you should be able to spot some festive homes. Nearby community areas Edgebrook and Lincolnwood usually have some great decorations as well. 

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