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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago

Lightscapes is a beautiful holiday lights event near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Lightscapes
Lightscapes is a beautiful holiday lights event near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Lightscapes
11/24/23 - By Siobhan Adcock

Christmas light shows in Chicago blaze from the lakeshore to the far suburbs, with holiday lights drive-thrus and events in every corner. Every neighborhood has homes and buildings that go all out, but there are also holiday and Christmas lights in Chicago worth traveling for, from walk-through spectacles at zoos and gardens to massive drive-through displays, and even holiday lights you can appreciate indoors. Bundle up the kids and head out to one of these holiday and Christmas light displays in Chicago before they wink out for the season!

Lights are just the tip of the iceberg of our holiday events! Check out our list of top Christmas and Hanukkah events in Chicago and the suburbs. Also, be sure to book your Polar Express adventure now before they sell out.  But CTA Santa trains and buses are still running throughout the season.

Here's our list of top holiday light shows in Chicago and the suburbs!

 

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Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. Photo by Brandon Tucker, courtesy of the Zoo.
Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. Photo by Brandon Tucker, courtesy of the Zoo.

Holiday and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Hyde Park
Saturday, November 16- Monday, January 6
The Museum of Science and Industry hosts its dazzling annual Christmas tree exhibit, where guests can enjoy decorated trees inspired by customs and cultures from countries all around the world.  READ MORE

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park
Friday, November 15- Sunday, January 5
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo has been a favorite holiday event for more than 30 years, with light displays and seasonal activities throughout the zoo. The event is free on Monday evenings, and $7 most other weekdays, and $10 on weekends and premium dates. READ MORE

Art on the Mart

Downtown
Winter programming begins November 22
Families can watch as works of art are projected on The Merchandise Mart, while listening to a variety of unique music. The show is about 30 minutes long and repeats at 7:30 and 8pm each night. READ MORE

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Magnificent Mile
Saturday, November 23 (Lights up through New Year)
Chicago's Magnificent Mile hosts the annual Lights Festival with a parade of lights with Grand Marshalls Minnie and Mickey Mouse. The event includes booths full of family-friendly activities, including pictures with Santa. READ MORE

Light Up the Lake

Downtown
Friday, November 29- Sunday, January 5
Enjoy an indoor winter wonderland at Navy Pier, complete with indoor light sculpture displays, ice skating, and visits with Santa. Guests can also enjoy Santa's Merry Main Street gift market and ride the iconic Navy Pier Ferris wheel. Roast marshmallows for s'mores around a fire pit or make someone a gift at a holiday workshop. New in 2024 are drone shows lighting up the sky over Lake Michigan and a two-story ice slide. READ MORE

LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS DRIVE THRU at Guaranteed Rate Field

Armour Square
Daily though January 5
The holiday season just got a lot brighter with the return of Light of Christmas, Chicago’s only drive-thru Christmas light show, hosted at Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox! From November 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025, come and experience the magic of over 1 million synchronized lights—all from the comfort of your own vehicle. READ MORE

Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting Celebration at Mary Bartelme Park

West Loop
Saturday, December 7
Mary Bartelme Park hosts a Menorah Lighting Celebration, including live music, face painting, delicious snacks, and a children's story time! This year's event includes music from Merit School of Music, Skinner West Choir, and DJ Eric Tenfelde. Santa will be on hand for pictures! READ MORE
Photo courtesy of the Aurora Festival of Lights.
Photo courtesy of the Aurora Festival of Lights.

Christmas Light Displays and Drive-Thrus Near Chicago

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden

Glencoe
Friday, November 15- Tuesday, December 31
Go for a stroll down a mile-long path filled with holiday wonder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. READ MORE

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Saturday, November 16 - Saturday, January 4
Visitors walk a one-mile path with thousands of lights in displays illuminating the trees, accompanied by music. An awe-inspiring display illuminates the new Grand Garden. Visitors can enjoy some old favorites and new displays. Stop along the way to roast s'mores around a campfire or drink a hot beverage from concession stands.  READ MORE

Naper Lights

Naperville
Thursday, November 28- Wednesday, January 1
Downtown Naperville's annual holiday light extravaganza features light displays and music throughout the downtown Naperville and Riverwalk areas. Admission is free. Get a photo with Santa beside the Great Tree on select dates. READ MORE

Cosley Zoo Festival of Lights and Christmas Tree Sales

Wheaton
Saturday, November 30- Monday, December 30
Families can visit the animals, buy a Christmas tree or wreath, and view a fantastic light display at Cosley Zoo this holiday season. Admission is free during holiday lights season, but donations are appreciated. READ MORE

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield
Thursdays through Sundays, November 22- December 31
Featuring more than a million LED lights, a 41-foot talking Christmas tree, and a 600-foot tunnel of lights with coordinating music, Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic highlights the holidays and loads of animals. READ MORE

Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park

Lombard
Sunday, December 8- Wednesday, January 1
An array of light shows adorn Lilacia Park for the holiday season. Animated light shows, a gingerbread house, and decorated trees provide enjoyment for families throughout the west suburban park. READ MORE

Willow Hill’s Winter Lights

Northbrook
Friday, November 22- Saturday, January 5
Come one, come all, to Willow Hill’s Winter Magic—the drive-thru holiday event in Chicago. Peek inside the North Pole’s toy land, road trip through a 250-foot animated video tunnel, watch Santa instruct his Reindeer Flight School, get breezy in the beautiful snowflake valley, join Frosty on his winter adventure, and be mesmerized by the towering 25-foot lighted tree. READ MORE

Promenade Bolingbrook Holiday Magic in Motion

Bolingbrook
Daily through January 5
A new augmented reality experience comes to the Bolingbrook Promenade for the holidays. Stroll through a world of twinkling lights, magical candy canes, and an unexpected encounter with Santa. Each illuminated display has a QR code that customers can scan for an augmented reality experience on their phone. READ MORE

Kohlights

Glenview
Fridays and Saturdays, November 29- December 22
Kids can walk through a unique light display with a learning glow stick that controls and changes the lights, providing a different experience every time. Visit the pixel play meadow, rainbow arbor, color play tree, rainbow caterpillar, color walk, and rainbow art installation. READ MORE

Winter Lights at Central Park

Oak Brook
Thursday, November 22- Sunday, January 5
Winter lights adorn a half-mile path in Oak Brook's Central Park, and are lit each night through January 5 for families to enjoy. Photo opportunities abound throughout the park. READ MORE

Nights of Lights

Wheaton
Friday, November 29- Sunday, January 5
The new holiday light experience at Adams Park is hosted by the Downtown Wheaton Association and the City of Wheaton and has plenty of holiday spirit and socially-distanced community. Don't forget to drop your letter to Santa in the Nights of Lights mailbox to be delivered directly to the North Pole. READ MORE

West Chicago Christmas Lights Show at Sonny Acres Farm

West Chicago
Thursdays through Sundays, November 22- December 30
Immerse yourself in holiday joy at Sonny Acres Farm's Christmas Lights Show in West Chicago. Stroll through a dazzling Christmas lights display at the Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival. Experience the festive ambiance with a million twinkling lights synchronized to your favorite holiday tunes. Enjoy delicious food and delightful treats along the way. READ MORE

Santa's Rock n Lights

Geneva
November 22-December 31
Drive through more than a mile of magnificent lights dancing to music. Displays include larger than life 3D light sculptures of dinosaurs, reindeer, polar bears. Experience GIANT emojis and one-of-kind Christmas trees from the future. This is the largest show yet at the Kane County Cougars parking lot. READ MORE

New Lenox Christmas in the Commons

New Lenox
Saturday, November 30- Tuesday, December 31
New Lenox celebrates Christmas in the Commons with a fantastic light display. See a 40-foot Santa lit up with more than 18,500 lights, walk through a giant ornament, and take selfies with a life size gingerbread house. Mail a letter to Santa through his mailbox by December 18! READ MORE

Evanston Menorah Lighting

Evanston
Thursday, December 26
The entire Evanston community is invited to join Tannenbaum Chabad House on Thursday, Dec. 26, at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate Hanukkah and ignite a public 10-foot menorah erected at Fountain Square. The celebration will feature greetings from Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, live music, an LED robot dancer, and Hanukkah treats. Evanston's menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower, and this year throughout Ukraine, helping children and adults of all... READ MORE

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