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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Santa's Rock n Lights
Drive thru over one mile of lights at Chicago’s longest-running drive-thru light show synchronized to music!
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.
Primary photo: CZS-Brookfield Zoo
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
