Christmas Lights in Chicago 2024 (Interactive Map)
We're putting all of our favorite places to see Christmas lights in Chicago and the suburbs on one interactive map, so you can easily add this beloved Christmas tradition to your holiday checklist.
From professional light displays to neighbors that go the extra mile, walks in the park to drive-thru displays, let us know where you go to see Christmas lights near you so we can add them to the map. And, be sure to like and review any you've already been to below!
So, queue up your Christmas playlist and get ready to enjoy a walk (or drive) through a holiday light show near you. Don't forget the hot chocolate!
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Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at MSI
It began in 1942 with a single tree. Today, the Museum’s beloved annual celebration features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree, surrounded by a forest of more than 50 trees and displays decorated by volunteers to represent the holiday traditions from cultures around the globe. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that brings a whole world of holiday joy under one roof.
Chicago, IL
0 reviews
Dean Sortarican
Santa's Corner
Dean Sortarican said: Our goal is to make people smile. What better way to show that than Christmas lights! We try to add lights every year and this year is the best so far. Who knows maybe Santa will be there on a Saturday night.
Posen, IL
1 review
Art on THE MART
Looking for free things to do for Christmas in Chicago? Art on THE MART transforms one of Chicago's notable landmarks, THE MART (formerly known as The Merchandise Mart), into a permanent, larger-than-life canvas. During the holiday season, enjoy their Season of Light display nightly at 7:30pm. Performances are free for all to enjoy, and can be best viewed from The Chicago Riverwalk between Wells and Lake St.
Chicago, IL
0 reviews
The Morton Arboretum
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Celebrate the holidays and marvel at how light transforms a magnificent landscape at Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum. Exciting features and immersive installations in this festive experience will delight all ages along a one-mile path that is fully ADA-compliant. Warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, or stop in at the concession tent on Frost Hill for snacks and beverages.
Lisle, IL
0 reviews
Wheaton Venetian Lights
Wheaton Venetian Lights
Take a drive over to Wheaton to see this free synchronized Christmas light show any time between Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's Eve. Be sure to tune your car radio to 99.7 FM to enjoy the musical selections.
Wheaton, IL
0 reviews
believehouse.com
The Believe House
Drive by this Christmas lights residential display and you'll see Santa, the largest Elf on the Shelf, and thousands of twinkling lights. Each year the homeowners try to add to their traditional static display, including pieces they've made by hand over the years!
Naperville, IL
0 reviews
Candy Cane Canyon Trail
Candy Cane Canyon Trail
This awesome residential display in Carol Stream has plenty of holiday magic to share, including twinkling lights set to music - just tune in to FM 101.5 to enjoy the show! The Christmas lights are free to enjoy, but they accept non-perishable food donations for the Humanitarian Service Project as well as monetary donations for DuPage Animal Friends.
Carol Stream, IL
0 reviews
santasrocknlights.com
Santa's Rock n Lights
Drive thru over one mile of lights at Chicago’s longest-running drive-thru light show synchronized to music!
Geneva, IL
0 reviews
goebberts.com
Goebbert's Christmas Light Shows
Goebbert’s Drive-Thru Light Show is a 12-15-minute drive through their apple orchard with over 1,000,000 lights highlighted by short clips of our favorite Christmas songs. Larsen’s Light Show is a park-and-watch show with a 30-minute duration, full songs, pyrotechnics, and even some possible appearances by Elsa, the Grinch, and Santa.
Hampshire, IL
0 reviews
Past Events (11)
Photo credit Ragulikethesauce
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
This annual festival in downtown Chicago kicks off the holiday season in style with family activities throughout the day, including photos with Santa Claus. The main event is an epic tree-lighting parade down North Michigan Avenue, led by Grand Marshals Mickey & Minnie Mouse and featuring awesome floats, gigantic helium balloons, marching bands, musical performances, Santa Claus, and more, all helping to light up The Mag Mile with more than a million twinkling lights.
Chicago, IL
1 review
Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise
Naper Lights
Enjoy this free dazzling display of holiday lights and sound as you stroll down Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park and the Riverwalk in Downtown Naperville! Visit Naper Lights to get your 3D Viewing glasses!
Naperville, IL
0 reviews
Chicago Botanic Garden
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Embrace the spirit and beauty of the season at Lightscape, setting the Garden aglow with light, music and art.
Glencoe, IL
1 review
credit CZS-Brookfield Zoo
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Holiday Magic is one of Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festivals, with over two million twinkling LED lights. Explore the 300-foot light tunnels synchronized to seasonal sounds, the 16-foot-tall LED gingerbread house, the stunning illuminated Light Orb, and a 41-foot-tall tree adorned with colored LED lights choreographed to festive music.
Brookfield, IL
0 reviews
Santa's Village Magical Christmas Drive Thru Experience
From the comfort of your car, you'll be in awe as over 3 million lights synchronized to holiday music and dazzling displays, twinkle and dance. With lighted tunnels galore, and old-fashioned Christmas twinkle lights as far as you can see, you don't want to miss it! But it doesn't end there. At the end of the route, you can enjoy tube slide fun, an enchanted Christmas Village of family photo memories, funnel cakes, hot chocolate, and of course a meet and greet with Santa himself! Online reservations are required.
East Dundee, IL
0 reviews
Phil Parcellano / Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo is definitely one of the most popular things to do for Christmas in Chicago, with luminous displays and holiday activities throughout the zoo grounds. The Pepper Family Wildlife Center will transform into the North Pole, hosting visits with Santa alongside the zoo’s holiday tree and festive décor.
Chicago, IL
0 reviews
Kohl Children's Museum
Kohlights
This immersive experience at the Kohl Children's Museum allows kids to interact with light and color as they explore hues and patterns in this interactive holiday light installation. The light display is an indoor and outdoor experience, and includes admission to the museum's wonderful indoor exhibits as well.
Glenview, IL
0 reviews
Cosley Zoo
Festival of Lights & Tree Sale at Cosley Zoo
Cosley Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, and hot chocolate.
Wheaton, IL
0 reviews
willowhilllights.com/
Willow Hill Lights
Take a magical journey through 2.5 miles of over 1 million dazzling LED lights. Enjoy fan-favorite displays like the 12 Days of Christmas and marvel at the 30-foot Christmas tree, decorated with over 24,000 RGB lights that dance with the music.
Northbrook, IL
0 reviews
Oak Brook Park District
Winter Lights at Central Park
Discover dancing trees, inspirational signs, colorful rainbow arches, cascading snowflakes, and musical hearts throughout this scenic, inclusive and accessible walk.
Oak Brook, IL4:30-9:30pm
0 reviews
Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park
Walk through Lilacia Park, which is lit with animated light shows, decorated trees, a gingerbread house, and much more. On weekend evenings, kids can visit with Santa Claus, enjoy a spectacular show with complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, and visit with their favorite holiday characters.
Lombard, IL
0 reviews
Primary photo: CZS-Brookfield Zoo
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
