2022 Holiday Light Shows in the Chicago Suburbs Including Large Scale and Awesome Home Displays

Holiday Light Shows and Awesome Home Displays in the Chicago Suburbs 2022 

Sparkling, breathtaking light displays have popped up all over just to warm our hearts this holiday season. I am thrilled to bring you my 2022 list of local Holiday Light Shows and Awesome Home Displays. I will be adding to this list throughout the season.

Holiday Light Shows in the Chicago Suburbs:

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden now through January 8, 2023; 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, November 12-January 1, 2023; light installations synchronized to music, $32.99-$42.99; 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, now-January 7, 2023. This year's event will use lights, motion and sound to highlight nature incorporating 50 acres of the Arboretum's trees. 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. This year also features a pop up village on certain evenings. November 18 - January 1; 5:15PM-9:30PM see website for more information and to purchase tickets. Tickets may be purchased online only. Village tickets are separate.

Willow Hill Lights, Northbrook, drive-through light event featuring over a million lights, November 19-January 1

Be sure to check the Road Trip section below to see some additional nearby displays in Wisconsin!

Incredible view at Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin.

All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory in Rockford, November 26-January 8; beautiful free outdoor light display in the outdoor gardens, donations appreciated.

Stroll on State in Rockford on November 26. 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 41st year of Holiday Magic with more than two million lights, a gnome hunt and more, November 25-27, December 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 26-31, see website for more info on ticketing, times and prices, must reserve tickets. This is the longest running show in the area!

Festival of Lights Cosley Zoo Wheaton; November 25 -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 25 - early January, free!

Electric Christmas Parade, St. Charles, November 26, 5:30pm

Holiday Lights Lilacia Park, Lombard, December 3-January 2, enjoy a magical array of holiday light displays throughout the park. Santa visits 6PM-8PM Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Elf hunts and more events, free.

Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival, Cantigny, Wheaton, December 3, 1PM-7PM. Holiday History Hike at 5PM. Classical holiday music, ornament craft and more. $5 for parking. Santa will be there for the kiddos!

Naper Lights -- Thanksgiving - New Years, enjoy wandering through light displays on Water St.

Lilacia Park in Lombard full of holiday cheer!

Sparkle Light Festival, Rosemont, November 23 - January 1, Impact Field, walk through light displays, two story ice slide, train, more, general admission $25 pp for 13+, $20 ages 2-12, see website for tix and more options

Amaze Light Festival, Tinley Park, walk through light displays, local vendor market, see websites for ticket prices

Lights Around Wheeling, starts November 20

Goebbert's Winter Wonderland, Pingree Grove, November 24 - January, Sundays - Thursdays (Closed Mondays) 5PM-10PM, Fridays & Saturdays 5PM-11PM, $20/car Tues-Thurs, $25/car Fri-Sun, online tix required

Festival of Lights Show, The Promenade, Bolingbrook, November 12 - December 31, tree lights will dance to music at 5PM, 6PM, 7PM, 8PM and 9PM, run time about 20 minutes.

Kohlights, Kohl's Children's Museum, Glenview, Nov 26-28, Dec 3-5, 10-12, 17-23, 26-29, interactive outdoor display, $20-25 per person, $5 off for members, must purchase timed entry tickets

Winter Lights at Fabyan Japanese Garden: Enjoy the historic Geneva garden in a new light Fridays and Saturdays,November 25-December 16 and Fridays January 7-28. $8 pp, must register, kids 5 and under are free.

Winter Wonderland at Usher Park in Itasca, November 27-January 15, kick off  celebration is November 27 at 4PM but the displays are up through January 15, free

Night of Lights, Adams Park, Wheaton, through 1/8/23

Chicago Suburban Holiday Light Displays

Impressive Home Displays

    Rolling Meadows-Schaumburg-Elk Grove Village-Elmhurst

• Lights on Magnolia, Rolling Meadows, 11/27-1/1
• Lights on Rywick Rolling Meadows starting 11/27
• Christmas on Tiffany, Schaumburg, November 26-December 31, 3 different synchronized shows, check show times on website, free
• Hoffman Christmas Light Show, Schaumburg, November 25
• Schaumburg Holiday House Decorating Contest & Tour, see website for updates
• Road Rallye Christmas Lights Tour December 10 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!*
• Schaumburg Christmas Lights
• Sandberg  Christmas Display in Elk Grove Village
• Olaf's Light Show, Elmhurst, November 26-January 2

    Carol Stream-Hanover Park-Roselle

• Great Madison Lights in Hanover Park
• Carol Stream Holiday Lights Decorating Contest
• Candy Cane Canyon, Carol Stream, December 3 - January 1
• 2020 Christmas Lights in Roselle -- have not confirmed for 2022

    Naperville-Wheaton

• The Believe House Naperville -- check Facebook for details on this display; they will also share a map of other holiday displays in Naperville
• Riparian Lights Naperville
• Wheaton Christmas Lights
• Wheaton Venetian Lights
• Light Up Wheaton Contest, List of Houses after December 9

    Elgin-South Elgin-Gilberts-South Barrington

• Lights on Rockville in Gilberts -- a six house display running November 20 - January 1; see website for times
• Juniper Lane, South Elgin
• Mays Family Light Show, South Elgin
• Wagner Lights, Elgin
• Lights on Revere, South Barrington, starts 11/25
• South Barrington Lights, 11/24-1/1

    Libertyville-Mundelein- Lake Forest

• Williams Family Lights in Libertyville
• Lights in Tahoe Court in Mundelein, starts December 2
• Gorton's Yuletide Tour of Lights, December 9-31 Lake Forest

    Lombard-Villa Park

• Hughes Digital, Lombard, starts approximately November 25, see Facebook to verify -- maybe combine with a visit to Lilacia Park
• Jingle's Holiday Decorating Contest in Lombard, 12/04-12/19 lights on starting at 4:30PM; check website for map
• Willowcrest in Villa Park, over 100 figures 
• Fillipp Family Exterior Illuminations, Villa Park

    Fox River Grove-Cary-Crystal Lake

• Gandor Family Light Show in Lake Zurich -- November 24 - 1st weekend in January
• Mack Manor in Fox River Grove
• Cimi Lights, Fox River Grove, starts December 1
• Lights on Chantilly, Lake in the Hills, started
• Holiday Light Show in Crystal Lake starting November 27; show plays every 20 minutes 5PM-10PM nightly
• Candy Lane Way, Cary, starts November 27

    Wheeling-Buffalo Grove-Palatine-Hainesville

• Kolman Family Christmas Lights, Hainesville, check Facebook
• Woodland Light Show, Wheeling, see Facebook
• Storozhuk Family Light Show in Buffalo Grove, November 25
• Jahn Christmas in Buffalo Grove
• FE Light Show, Shady Dr, Palatine, November 25
• Magical of Christmas, 1426 N Whispering Springs Circle, Palatine, Dec 1-25th 2022, Dusk to 9pm - Starting Dec 16th till 10PM

    Woodstock

• Woodstock Holiday Lights
• Shulfer Lights, Woodstock, through December 30

    Antioch

• Tarkowski Family Light Show, Antioch
• Grass Family Light Show, Antioch

    Aurora-Oswego-Yorkville

• Aurora Symphony of Lights
• Oswego Lights https://www.facebook.com/Oswegolights/
• The Arch's Christmas Light Show, Yorkville

    Lemont

• Chuchla Family Lights, Lemont, check Facebook, estimated start November 25
• Lemont Holiday Lights on Thornberry

    Wilmette

• Christmas Lights on Cleveland Street, Wilmette, December 1 - January 1

Road Trip Ideas

Christmas Holiday Lights Tour in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, December 12-26. Pull up Pleasant Prairie's online map of dazzling home holiday light displays, sip some hot cocoa and enjoy a holiday light tour. Vote for your favorites! Winners will be announced on December 30. This is a free, fun and festive tour!

Jerry Smith Holiday Light Walk in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the farm is decorated with light displays, November 25-December 18, Santa visits on weekends, live reindeer, s'more kits and more, open daily 5PM-9PM, $7 pp above age of 2.

Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights in Caledonia, Southeastern Wisconsin's largest light show; November 19-January 1 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. Rent a sleigh on certain days. Golf cart rental also 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. Trolley tours are free for guests and $10 pp for nonguests. They fill up, so reserve a spot soon.

Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, November 26-December 30 on certain days -- November 25-27, December 1-4, 8-11, 15-23, 26-30. Stroll through a magical wonderland of over one million lights! Check website for latest details and to purchase tickets. $12 per person ages 13+; $5 per person ages 3-12; 2 and under free.

47th Annual Lake Geneva Electric Christmas Parade, December 3 5:00PM, down Broad and Main St.