Holiday Light Displays in the Chicago Suburbs

Train at North School Park in Arlington Heights.

With Illumination starting this weekend at the Morton Arboretum, we know soon the whole area is ablaze with all types of displays from expansive to delicate and elegant. Here is a list of some of the light displays in the area including some impressive home displays. I will continue to add in the next few weeks but there are plenty to get you started!

Holiday Light Parades

Lighted Holiday Parade in Wheaton, November 28 at 6PM, free
Festival of Lights Parade in Crystal Lake: November 28 at 7PM, free
Electric Christmas Parade in St. Charles, November 29  at 5:30PM, free
Little Friends Parade of Lights in Naperville, November 30 at 5PM, free

Light Displays

Illumination at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, November 21-January 3, an interactive light experience in the trees, check website for ticketing and times
Holiday Magic, Brookfield Zoo, starts December 6, check website for times and prices
The Festival of Lights, Cosley Zoo in Wheaton, November 28- December 30, lights come on at 3PM and run through 9PM, perfect for younger children, check website for specific times (closed days), free but donations appreciated
Winter Wonderland Drive Through Light Show, Cuneo Mansion, Vernon Hills, November 28-January 3, closed Christmas Eve & Day, $5 per car Mon-Thurs, $10 Fri-Sat
Holiday Festival of Lights, Phillip's Park Zoo, Aurora, drive-thru display, November 28-December 28, Sun-Thurs 5PM-9PM, Fri-Sat 5PM-10PM, free!
Incredible Light Show, Randhurst Village, Mt. Prospect, starts December 12--22, free, info is a bit sketchy right now but will update when clearer, show is short but can add it to a shopping trip!
North School Park, Arlington Heights, November 28-early January (per Village), free!
Naper Lights, Naper Settlement, Thursdays-Sundays through January 1, 5PM-9PM, free!
December 6: Christmas Light Tour by the Wheels Rallye Team in Schaumburg, registration starts at 6PM at Woodfield near Firestone (see website for deets), $10 per car & unwrapped new toy worth $15 or more for Toys For Tots or $25 cash, course will take you through some of the best home and municipal light displays in the suburbs, cars head out at 7PM *cars can be in sightseeing mode!*
Rosemont Holiday Lights: Holiday Light Displays in different parks in Rosemont, 4PM-1AM daily, free, plus enjoy free ice skating at Frozemont (fee for rental), free!

Impressive Home Displays

South Barrington Lights, November 27-December 31, 5PM-10PM, over 85,000 synchronized lights, set to holiday music, free
Lights on Magnolia, Rolling Meadows, November 28-December 31, check website for more detailed times and verify the lights go up November 28 (the website indicates that as an anticipated date), free but collecting non-perishable food items for donation, 4:30PM-midnight *update--up and running!*
Christmas on Tiffany, Schaumburg, November 29-December 31, 3 different synchronized shows, check show times on website, free
Snowflake House, Tower Lakes, through December 29, weekdays about 5PM-10PM, weekends about 5PM-11PM, free
Glenview Lights, follow Facebook for start date, free
Schaumburg Holiday House Decorating Contest & Tour, Tours December 11 (for ages 18 and up) & 15 leaving from Recreation Center, 6:00PM-8:30PM, $10 per resident, $15 per non, must register
Westfield Gardens area Des Plaines, a sizable cluster of festively decorated homes, between Mt. Prospect Road, Wolf Road and Dempster Street, free!