Looking for where to see holiday and Christmas lights in and near Chicago in 2023/2024? There are many places in Chicago and the suburbs to see Christmas and holiday lights. (And if you are looking for more festive things to do for the holidays, here are the best things to do in Chicago during Christmas).
There are also drive-thru holiday light shows for families and others that want to see holiday lights from the safety of their vehicle.
NOTE: Some holiday light shows require advance online reservations and tickets are already available. Don’t wait to book – some popular light displays (including Lightscape and Illumination) sell out quickly!
Christmas and Holiday Lights in Chicago
Below are the best places to see holiday lights in Chicago.
City of Chicago Christmas Tree
The City of Chicago Christmas Tree will be at Millennium Park during the holiday season.
When: The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023.
Where: Millennium Park near the intersection of Michigan Avenue & Washington Street.
Cost: FREE.
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
If the temperature outside is too cold, you can enjoy holiday lights indoors at Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier. Immerse yourself in the magic of interactive light displays, a whimsical skating rink, journeys through the birch tree maze, visits with Santa, and more.
Where: Festival Hall at Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
When: Not yet announced.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ at Lincoln Park Zoo is a cheerful, family-friendly holiday event in the heart of the city. Zoolights features hundreds of luminous LED displays and seasonal experiences, all under the glow of millions of lights.
When: November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024.
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL
Cost: Tickets will be available for purchase beginning in mid-October. Pricing information is coming soon
Christmas and Holiday Lights Near Chicago
Here are the best places to see Christmas and holiday lights in the suburbs of Chicago.
Illuminated Light Trail at Lightscape
Lightscape is an after-dark, illuminated trail with thousands of twinkling lights at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Tickets are on sale. Book in advance – popular dates and times go fast!!
When: November 10, 2023 – January 7, 2024 (select dates).
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 (24 miles north of downtown Chicago)
Cost: Tickets for nonmembers start at $30 for adults and $17 for kids 3-12. Children under 3 are free. See https://www.chicagobotanic.org/lightscape for full prices and to purchase tickets.
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is a one-of-a-kind, interactive spectacle of color, light, and sound that has been delighting audiences since 2013. Explore 50 acres of the Arboretum’s majestic trees during this one-of-a-kind spectacle of color, light, and sound. You will be awed and delighted to see returning favorites and surprising new sights, including a special Human+Nature display and an experience featuring 150 colorful lanterns. Journey along a one-mile, paved walking path amid festive music and lighting effects that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. Along the route, warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, or stop in one of the concession tents for a snack and beverage. Illumination will highlight the many gifts of trees: natural beauty, increased feelings of peace and calm, homes for wildlife, and the air we breathe. Tickets will be available for purchase on Monday, October 16, 2023.
When: November 18, 2023 – January 6, 2024 (select days)
Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532 (28 miles west of downtown Chicago)
Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic
Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic is Chicagoland’s largest and longest-running lights festival featuring over two million twinkling LED lights. Advance tickets will be required. Check back soon for more information.
Where: Brookfield Zoo, North Gate Main Entrance: 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield, IL 60513; South Gate Main Entrance: 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513 (14 miles west of downtown Chicago)
When: November 24-26, 30 and December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31, 2023
Cost: Tickets coming soon -check back for more information.
Sparkle Light Festival
During Sparkle Light Festival at Impact Field in Rosemont will be transformed into five illuminated villages with millions of sparkling lights, custom 3D holiday features, ice tube slide, holiday train adventure, mouth-watering food and drink and more. Tickets are on sale online now.
When: Opening November, 2023
Where: Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Avenue, Rosemont, Illinois 60018 (16 miles northwest of downtown Chicago)
Kohlights: A Mesmertastic Holiday Lightacular
Kohlights: A Mesmertastic Holiday Lightacular is the Chicago area’s newest outdoor interactive holiday lights display at the Kohl Children’s Museum that is especially aimed at younger children. It’s more than just a walk through -using glow stick learning wands, children can control and change the lights, so it’s a different lightacular experience every time. The complete trail will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
When: TBD.
Cost: TBD.
Where: 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026 (22 miles northwest from downtown Chicago)
Winter Lights at Central Park – Oak Brook Park District
Winter Lights at Central Park is a free 1/2 mile walk through the beautifully lit Central Park. The walking path will be a one-way, looped circle with dancing trees, inspirational signs, colorful rainbow arches, cascading snowflakes, and musical hearts and various photo opportunities throughout the scenic walk. Path will be closed during inclement weather. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
When: November 23, 2023 – January 7, 2024, every evening from 4:30-9:30 PM.
Where: Central Park, 1510 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523 (20 miles west of downtown Chicago).
Cost: FREE (donations are accepted).
Naper Lights
Naper Lights is a free light display presented by the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise featuring 150,000 lights and a growing collection of giant lighted holiday figures including skating polar bears, penguins sliding on an igloo, skaters, snow men, carolers, gifts, baubles, and dancing trees. While they last, the popular holographic viewing glasses will be available for kids from Rotary volunteers on weekends. Fridays and Saturday evenings (weather permitting) grab a holiday photo with Santa alongside the Great Tree.
Lights on Water Street trees and the Foyo plaza will be synced to music with an enhanced sound system which will project music across the DuPage River, making a drive-through experience for those wishing to stay in their cars as they enjoy Downtown Naperville.
When: 4 PM – 10 PM from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
Where: Downtown Naperville, along Water Street and overlooking the south side of the Riverwalk (31 miles west of downtown Chicago). Visitors can access the display from the Webster Street covered bridge, Main Street and Webster Street.
Cost: FREE (donations are accepted).
Holiday Lights in Lilicia Park
Holiday Lights in Lilicia Park is Lombard Park District’s annual holiday lights display in Lilacia Park. Charming holiday displays illuminate the park during the evening with magical light shows, tree decorations, a gingerbread house and more. On select times during the weekend, families can enjoy free visits with Santa, a magical elf hunt and other events.
When: 4:30 – 10:00 pm daily from December 2, 2023 – January 1, 2024 (Saturday, December 2, 2023 will be the annual Jingle Bell Jubilee event and the lighting ceremony will take place at 5:30 pm.)
Where: Lilacia Park, 150 S Park Ave, Lombard, IL 60148 (23 miles west of downtown Chicago).
Cost: FREE. Visitors are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation.
Drive-Thru Holiday Light Shows Near Chicago
There are also several drive-thru light shows in the Chicago area happening this year.
Let It Shine Drive Thru Holiday Light Show
Let It Shine is a drive-thru Christmas light show experience that is returning. Guests are invited to safely stay in their cars and immerse themselves into a wonderland of light displays, all synchronized to fun holiday classics. This year they have expanded to two (2) locations in Chicagoland: Northbrook Court and Schaumburg. Each location has its own unique festive experience, music playlist and immersive light displays. Tickets are available for purchase for a specific location, date & time and can be purchased online only.
Where: Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook, IL 60062; & Wintrust Field, 1999 S Springinsguth Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193
When: TBD.
Willow Hill Lights
Willow Hill Lights is a drive-through holiday lights show back for its third year with bigger and better displays. This family holiday event features a 1.6 mile route with over one million lights, three drive through tunnels and a 30 foot Christmas tree. Come see the abdominal snowman and Rudolph and his reindeer pals as well as many other holiday favorites such as the Twelve Days of Christmas and Frosty and his friends. One price per car.
Where: 1350 Willow Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 (23 miles from downtown Chicago). Entrance is on Willow Road near Route 43 (Waukegan Road) in between I-94 and I-294).
When: November 17, 2023 – January 6, 2024 (closed during inclement weather)
Hours: Open daily from 5-10pm. Tickets are available by one-hour increment time slots.
Cost: $40 per standard vehicle. Call for bus or limo prices – no RV’s or trailers. Tickets are available online here.
What are your favorite holiday light shows and displays in the Chicago area?
The lights at the Botanical Garden are incredible.
Would love to check some of these out. I saw the ZooLights a few years ago but would love to see one of the drive through light shows this year.
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