Holiday Light Shows and Awesome Home Displays in the Chicago Suburbs 2021 Twinkling lights are starting to appear! It is time to share my holiday lights list once again! I will be adding to this list as more information becomes available. However, I wanted to share now so that you can nab tickets for our more popular events because they do go fast!
Holiday Light Shows in the Chicago Suburbs:
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden November 12-January 2; Lightscape returns to Chicago Botanic Garden fusing old favorites, reimagined displays and new show stoppers! The gentle amble through stunning designs. Tickets are on sale now, but will go fast. So, purchase them soon!
- Let It Shine Drive Thru Light Show in Northbrook, Schaumburg and Aurora, November 12-January 9; light installations synchronized to music, $29.99-$39.99; fast pass can be added on for $20; see website for more information and tickets. Tickets are only available online.
- Illumination Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, November 20-January 2. This year's event will use lights, motion and sound to highlight nature on a one-mile paved path. Visitors can warm up at bonfires and in the concession tent. Days vary. See website for schedule and to purchase tickets. They do sell out for this event, so snag tickets soon!
- Santa's Rock N Lights, Lake County Fairgrounds, Grayslake, drive through light show of nearly 1000 elements, November 19 - January 2; 5PM-9:30PM see website for more information and to purchase tickets. Tickets may be purchased online only.
- Winter Magic, Will Hills Golf Course, Northbrook, drive-through light event, November 20-January 2
- Festival of Lights Parade, Crystal Lake, November 26 7PM-8PM, holiday lights on parade!
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| Stroll on State kicks off the holiday season in Rockford on November 27! |
- All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory in Rockford, November 27-January 9; outdoor gardens will be aglow with holiday splendor! Free.
- Stroll on State in Rockford on November 27. This magical kick-off to the holidays includes a parade with large balloons, bands, floats, and more. The fun includes wagon rides, tree lightings, local vendors, fireworks, hot chocolate stations, fire and ice where sculpted ice is lit on fire, and so much more!
- Holiday Magic, Brookfield Zoo will delight visitors in its 40th year of Holiday Magic with more than two million lights, a gnome hunt and more, November 26-28, December 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 26-31, see website for more info on ticketing, times and prices, must reserve tickets.
- Festival of Lights Cosley Zoo Wheaton; November 26 -December 30 (closed Christmas Day), fresh Christmas trees and garland for sale, light displays will decorate the zoo, see website for more info, event is free and donations are very much appreciated.
- Holiday Festival of Lights, Phillip's Park Zoo, Aurora, Northern Illinois' largest drive-thru display, November 26 - December 26 free but donations accepted.
- North School Park, Arlington Heights, November 26 - early January, free!
- Holiday Parade of Lights, Naperville, November 26
- Electric Christmas Parade, St. Charles, November 27
- Holiday Lights Lilacia Park, Lombard, December 4-January 2, enjoy a magical array of holiday light displays throughout the park, check for Santa visit times, elf hunts and more
- Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival, Cantigny, Wheaton, December 4, 1PM-7PM, we loved seeing Cantigny lit up last year so this is a chance to see holiday lights and enjoy cheer with trolling snowmen, reindeer and more, $5 for parking, Santa will be there for the kiddos!
- Naper Lights -- downtown Naperville 4PM-10PM
- Willow Creek Wonderland Walk, South Barrington, 10 miles of lights on 55 structures, free but you must register, December 1-24, closed Mondays
- Reindeer Road, Naperville, December 1-24, $10 per car, drive-thru
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Lilacia Park in Lombard full of holiday cheer!
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- Rosemont Holiday Lights: Holiday Light Displays including 80,000 lights in Rosemont, lights up starting November 26, there also will be an ice skating rink
- Amaze Light Festival, Rosemont, $23 per adult, $18 for kids ages 2-12, light show, worlds to walk through and more, starts November 19
- Lights Around Wheeling, starts November 21 with a lighting at Friendship Park at 4:30PM
- Goebbert's Winter Wonderland, Pingree Grove, November - January, Sundays - Thursdays (Closed Mondays) 5PM-10PM, Fridays & Saturdays 5PM-11PM, check website for updates as details are ironed out
- Festival of Lights Show, The Promenade, Bolingbrook, November 6 - December 31, tree lights will dance to music at 5PM, 6PM, 7PM, 8PM and 9PM, run time about 20 minutes.
- Mooseheart Lights, Mooseheart, November 27 - December 31, 5PM-9PM, 1.8 miles drive thru, $20 per car suggested donation
- Kohlights, Kohl's Children's Museum, Glenview, Nov 26-28, Dec 3-5, 10-12, 17-23, 26-31, interactive outdoor display, $20 per person, $5 off for members, must purchase timed entry tickets
- Holiday in the Park Lights at Six Flags, 3 million sparkling lights, November 26-December 30, must purchase tickets, check if there are deals with season passes
- Winter Lights at Fabyan Japanese Garden: Enjoy the historic Geneva garden in a new light Fridays and Saturdays, December 3-17 and Fridays January 7-28. $5 pp, must register.
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| Beautifully lit trees highlighted by more light around at Cantigny. |
Impressive Home Displays
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| Festive and moving holiday lights on Darthmouth in Schaumburg. |
- Olaf's Light Show, Elmhurst, November 26-January 2
- Christmas Lights on Cleveland Street, Wilmette, keep checking site
- The Believe House Naperville -- check Facebook for details on this display; they will also share a map of other holiday displays in Naperville
- Lights on Revere, South Barrington
- South Barrington Lights, back in 2022
- Schaumburg Holiday House Decorating Contest & Tour, see website for updates
- Road Rallye Christmas Lights Tour December 11 in Schaumburg; by the Wheels Rallye Team in Schaumburg, $20 per car, pre-register, 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!*
- Elmwood Lane Lights in Bartlett
- Lake Forest Lights Up the Parks, parks in Lake Forest, November 26-early January, free
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| Blazing and beautiful Fire Garden at Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape. |
- Hughes Digital, Lombard, starts approximately November 26, see Facebook to verify -- maybe combine with a visit to Lilacia Park
- Naper Light Show -- Naperville see website
- Tarkowski Family Light Show Antioch -- incredible musically synchronized light show; see FB page for details
- Storozhuk Family Light Show in Buffalo Grove
- Jahn Christmas in Buffalo Grove
- FE Light Show, Shady Dr, Palatine
- Gandor Family Light Show in Lake Zurich -- already started with Kids and Pop show through Thanksgiving, then holiday lights go on!
- Mack Manor in Fox River Grove
- Carol Stream Holiday Lights Decorating Contest
- Holiday Light Show in Crystal Lake staring November 27; show plays every 20 minutes 5PM-10PM nightly
- Lights on Rockville in Gilberts -- a six house display running November 20 - January 1; see website for times
- Jingle's Holiday Decorating Contest in Lombard, 12/04-12/19 lights on starting at 4:30PM; check website for map
- 2020 Christmas Lights in Roselle -- have not confirmed for 2021
- Gorton's Yuletide Tour of Lights, December 9-31 Lake Forest
- Lemont Holiday Lights on Thornberry
- Willowcrest in Villa Park, over 100 figures
- Fillipp Family Exterior Illuminations, Villa Park
- Woodstock Holiday Lights
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| Spectacular Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show in Janesville, WI! |
Road Trip
- Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights in Caledonia, Southeastern Wisconsin's largest light show; November 27-January 2 enjoy 2 million lights over a 1.6 mile drive through path, $30 for passenger car, $45 for large passenger van, $55 for limo/camper, must reserve tickets online, add-ons available.
- Christmas in the Country at Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva Wisconsin, indoor and outdoor light displays, gingerbread house contest, free, there are other events associated so check the website, this year trolley tours are only for resort guests, likewise Illumination on November 27 is only for guests, see website for more info
- Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, November 26-December 30 on certain days -- November 26-28, December 2-5, 9-12, 16-23, 2-30. Stroll through a magical wonderland of over one million lights! Check website for latest details and to purchase tickets when available. $10 per person ages 13+; $5 per person ages 3-12; 2 and under free.
- 46th Annual Lake Geneva Electric Parade, December 4 5:00PM
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