The weather is getting colder. The sun is setting earlier. So, you know what that means! Time to throw on your warmest hat and gloves and find the most sparkling Chicago Christmas lights to get you and your loved ones into the holiday spirit.
Here are all the wonderful Chicago lights for 2023.
Museum of Science and Industry
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light celebrate the season with one mega tree and 50 surrounding trees, each one representing different cultures from the various communities that make up the city.
The annual celebration started in 1942 with one tree and has turned into a yearly tradition for many Chicagoans.
Admission is included with a regular Museum Entry Ticket.
Dates: November 18th – January 8th.
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Chicago Botanic Garden
Lightscape is an after-dark walking trail of dazzling Chicago lights, singing trees, and festive exhibits.
The garden is bringing back some favorites like the Winter Cathedral of Light but also adding a new path to jazz up this year’s display.
On the Evening Island, you’ll discover new works like illuminated 5-foot lilies and a sea of lights, created just for the Garden by international artists.
The Chicago Botanic Garden Christmas lights are implemented as a one-way trail, outdoor-only displays, no interactive exhibits, and a separate entrance and exit.
Tickets are on sale now and weekends typically sell out fast.
Dates: November 10th – January 7th.
Prices vary based on advance purchases or the day of ticket sales.
Advanced Prices: Adults $30 member / $34 nonmember. Children (3-12) $17 member / $19 nonmember. Children 2 and under are free.
Lincoln Park Zoo
For the 29th year, Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Chicago is returning this winter. I’ve been a few times over the years and it is very well done.
It turns one of the most popular attractions in the city into a winter wonderland for families, couples, and friends.
Grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine, and wander around the grounds. Prepare to be thrown into the holiday spirit immediately!
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Tickets need to be purchased in advance online. Tickets are on sale now.
The Zoo Chicago Lights is $7 per person admission for all ages Tuesday-Sunday and tickets are free on Mondays with limited capacity.
Reservations are required for free nights as well.
Dates: ZooLights runs from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Nov. 17-22, 24-30, Dec. 1-4, 7-13, 15-23, 26-31, and Jan. 1-7th.
Art on theMART
Have you heard someone talk about the Chicago light show on a building and wondered what they were talking about?
Art on theMART isn’t your typical Chicago lights display. The innovative digital art projection is a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart building facing the Chicago River.
New this winter is the ‘Season of Light,’ an exciting collaboration with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and Yorgo Alexopoulos, an SAIC alum known for immersive video installations.
The winter program will also incorporate ‘Analog,’ 13 different projections from students at SAIC and ‘The Geometry of Thought,’ by Charles Atlas.
Dates: 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm every evening, November 16th – December 30th.
TIP: Best seen from the riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
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Roscoe Village
Take a self-guided walking tour of Roscoe Village, a northwest neighborhood in Chicago. Every year the residents and local businesses take part in a holiday decorating contest.
2023 Winterfest is scheduled for December 1st through 3rd. Saturday at 5 pm is the tree lighting and caroling and Sunday at 1:00 pm is the Winterfest Family Day.
TIP: Click here for the Roscoe neighborhood map.
Dates: The contest runs during the month of December.
Macy’s and the Walnut Room
Growing up just a train ride away from downtown, heading to Macy’s (well, it was Marshall Field’s back in my day) was an annual event.
And just like the decades before, the holiday windows will be decorated, the iconic trumpets will hang above State Street, and the elaborate and extravagant Great Tree will stand tall.
Reservations are required (click the link above to see the full menu and make reservations) and your time is limited to 90 minutes.
If you forget to make reservations or are visiting during a last-minute trip, a limited number of high-top seating will be available at the Wine Bar for walk-ins with a full menu available.
Breakfast with Santa Dates: December 3rd (9am – 11am), 10th (8:30am – 11am), and the 17th (8:30am – 11am).
Fairy Princesses Breakfast: Every day.
Dates: November 4th – January 7th.
The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile Chicago Lights Festival is an annual event that is returning on November 18th, the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
A spirited parade with Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse kicks off the event at 5:30 pm before lighting up the Chicago Christmas tree.
“The parade features more than 60 minutes of fabulous floats, giant helium balloons, exciting marching bands, celebrities, musical performances, Santa Claus, and more, all helping to illuminate more than 1 million lights along The Magnificent Mile. The event draws to a grand conclusion with spectacular fireworks over the Chicago River at the DuSable Bridge at 7:00 p.m.”
Dates: The Magnificent Mile lights will continue to glow from November 18th – December 31st.
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
For another year, Navy Pier is hosting Chicagoland’s biggest indoor and outdoor light garden.
The winter escape features giant light sculptures, an outdoor ice rink, axe throwing, Santa’s Merry Main Street and gift market, and a kiddie train.
Plan your visit around free live music, breakfast with Santa, one-of-a-kind holiday pop-ups and fireworks,
Tickets are now available and it is a paid event.
Dates: November 24th – December 31st.
Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon
The Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon isn’t your average Chicago lights display, but it is a truly unique experience!
Last year, Immersive Van Gogh and the Chicago Parks District worked together to create an exciting quarter-mile strip just east of Millennium Park where skaters can glide across bold starry night brushstrokes and colorful sunflowers. This year’s collaboration has yet to be announced.
Dates: November 17th – March 10th.
Sessions are open seven days a week with four a day; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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Christmas Lights Chicago Suburbs
Not wanting to head downtown this year? Here are festive light displays including neighborhoods and drive-through Christmas lights in the Chicago suburbs.
Willow Hill Lights in Northbrook
The 1.6-mile driving loop dazzles with over one million lights, a 30-foot Christmas tree, and three drive-through tunnels.
Experience holiday favorites like Twelve Days of Christmas and wave hello to old friends like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman.
Open daily from 5pm – 10pm with hour slots to reserve for $40 per standard car at 1350 Willow road.
Dates: November 17th – January 6th.
Cosley Zoo in Wheaton
Not only can you pick up your Christmas tree at Cosley Zoo’s Festival of Lights and Tree Sales, but you can also see 20,000 twinkling lights.
Arrive early to visit with the farm animals and native Illinois wildlife. Advanced reservations are not required.
Hot Chocolate Hours: Monday – Friday 3 pm to 9 pm, Saturday & Sundays 9 am to 9 pm.
Dates: Free event with the price of admission, but donations are appreciated. November 24th – December 30th, lights come on at 3 PM.
Morton Arboretum in Lisle
The eleventh annual Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum returns as a one-of-a-kind walking experience.
The Arboretum has a mile-long paved path of dancing lights, festive music, and magical trees inside its beautiful fifty acres. A few new exhibits will be on display along with returning favorites like Hug-a-Tree, Treemagination, and two of the Human+Nature larger-than-life sculptures.
Don’t miss the early IllumiBrew event on November 16th and 17th where those 21 and older can taste craft brews along the illumination trail.
What’s new this year? An added ’’80s-themed Electric Illumination night, a fully ADA-compliant trail, and new and reimagined displays that immerse guests among festive lights and music that celebrate the Arboretum’s tree collections.
The Electric Illumination, an exciting event for the 18+ crowd, returns on December 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th. Get your glow sticks ready for a night of synchronized Trance and Progressive House music.
Advance purchase is recommended.
Dates: November 18th – January 6th.
Aurora Festival of Lights
Head over to Phillips Park to drive through one of the largest free outdoor light displays in Northern Illinois.
You’ll see glowing trees, elves, reindeer, holiday trains, and more on the one-mile drag.
Dates: November 24th – December 25th, 5 pm -9 pm.
Another Christmas event in Aurora you might be interested in is the Christkindlmarket running from November 17th through December 24th from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Photo Credit: Aurora Festival of Lights
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
‘Tis the season with over one million dazzling LED lights at Brookfield Zoo. Giant colorful LED animal sculptures decorate the lawn next to the real animals.
Walk through a dancing 600-foot-long tunnel synchronized to music, take a selfie in a giant orb, and see the 41-foot-tall Christmas tree.
You’ll also find a dance party at the Polar Plaza, roaming carolers, an Elf Power virtual reality experience, and ice sculptures.
What’s different this year? North Gate, reservations are not required.
Advance admission and parking tickets are required in advance for South Gate.
Dates: Friday – Sunday, November 24-26, Wednesday – Sunday, November 30, December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23 Monday – Saturday 26-31.
Naper Lights in Naperville
Naperville turns up the charm during the holidays. Head over to their beautiful Riverwalk to stroll among the illuminating lights.
You can catch Santa on Friday and Saturday evenings (weather permitting) for pictures next to the Great Christmas Tree.
Dates: Thanksgiving through New Years, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park in Lombard
Animated light shows, moving displays, and festive decorations bring this local park to life during the holidays.
You can bring the kids to visit Santa and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and cookies every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
The holiday lights display is free admission, but feel free to bring an unwrapped and unused toy for donation.
Dates: December 2nd – January 1st from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
Sparkle Light Festival in Rosemont
The Sparkle Light Festival in Rosemont deserves a spot on your holiday bucket list.
Impact Field turns into an illuminated dreamscape featuring captivating light installations designed to transport visitors into a magical winter wonderland realm.
Guests can hop on a train ride, enjoy a selection of festive food and beverages, or take a ride on the 2-story ice slide.
This festive event is a must-visit for families, couples, and friends seeking an enchanting experience in northwest Chicago.
Dates: November 17th – December 31st.
Winterlights at Fabyan Japanese Garden in Geneva
Take a lovely stroll in a quaint peaceful glowing garden along the Fox River.
Reserved timed entries at 15-minute intervals. $5 tickets go on sale in November.
Dates: 2023 Dates not available yet. Friday & Saturdays 5 pm – 7 pm, November 25 – December 16.
Saturdays Only, January 7 – 28
Cindy Ladage
Such great information! I love to watch Christmas lights.
Blake Fehlhaber
Hello,
We are running our 2nd annual Drive-Thru Light Show at Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook. We would love to be featured on this list. Please contact me for the details.
Best,
Blake Fehlhaber
Dang Travelers
Hi Blake, I will add your event! Thanks for reaching out