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!
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 |
| 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 01 | 02 | 03 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Embrace the spirit and beauty of the season at Lightscape, setting the Garden aglow with light, music and art.
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!
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.
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.
Santa's Corner
Free
Dean Sortarican: 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.
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.
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!
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.
Santa's Rock n Lights
Drive thru over one mile of lights at Chicago’s longest-running drive-thru light show synchronized to music!
Primary photo: CZS-Brookfield Zoo
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
