Twinkling Lights Across Chicagoland: Your Guide To Exploring Holiday Displays
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Christmas lights glistening through snow-covered trees, families gathering around glowing fireplaces, and loved ones throwing festive parties—the Chicagoland area is nothing short of magical.
One of the best ways to experience the holidays is through dazzling light displays.
From immersive walk-through adventures to cozy drive thru shows, you’ll be able to take in twinkling lights in every direction. Let’s sneak a peek at where you can find enchanting displays that are just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Let the lights lead the way!
Larsen’s Light Show (Goebberts Farm, Pingree Grove)
Looking to hop in the car and stay warm? Here you’ll be able to immerse yourself in an amazing 30-minute light display full of effects that take place on a staged house! The show features, choreographed lighting effects, music, and—on select nights—special effects, characters, strobe lights, and even pyrotechnics (weather permitting). New this year is also an outdoor viewing experience! Want even more? Drive through their transformed glowing apple orchard! Online tickets are required.
Lightscape (Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe)
Want to feel like you’re walking in a winter wonderland? The Botanic Garden has flipped the switch! Take a walk through a 1.3-mile outdoor trail of glowing art installations, twinkling lights, and music. Been here before? Don’t worry, displays change each year!
Magical Christmas Drive Thu (Santa’s Village, East Dundee)
Drive thru Santa’s Village to experience over 3 million lights synchronized to holiday music and displays! At the end, take the kids to visit Santa and jump on a snowless tube slide!
Illumination: Tree Lights At The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
The beautiful gardens and tree-filled landscapes are dazzled with stunning light displays and music. You can also experience Electric Illumination, three special Friday nights in December with a live DJ and unique theme!
Willow Hill Lights (Willow Hill Golf Course, Northbrook)
This drive thru holiday lights display is back for its fifth year! Drive 2.5 miles through the golf course to experience over one-million lights, three tunnels, and a 30-foot Christmas tree!
This is the largest FREE outdoor drive thru holiday light display in the area and it’s back for its 19th year! Watch holiday displays and listen to merry music on this mile long display, right from the comfort of your car!
Light Of Christmas Drive Thru (Rate Field, Chicago)
This premiere drive thru experience is one you won’t forget, especially for White Sox fans! Drive through the display filled with over 1-million lights synchronized to holiday music!
You can’t go wrong with any of these experiences! These displays remind us that magic can be found even on the coldest winter nights.
So, let’s bundle up, follow the glow, and keep the holiday spirit alive.
