Light Up Your Holiday Season with These Chicago Area Light Shows

Ready, set, glow! Holiday light shows are back across Chicagoland. Whether you’re looking for a family tradition or a new spot to explore, these sparkling displays will brighten your season from mid-November through early January.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

November 8 – January 5 | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s annual holiday tradition returns for its 83rd annual celebration of a diverse range of holiday traditions from around the globe. It also features a forest of more than 50 trees decorated for the season. The exhibit is included with the price of general admission.

Lightscape

November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 | Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe 
The Chicago Botanic Garden’s popular annual Lightscape event returns starting Friday, November 14. The event changes each year, so there will be new light displays this season. Non-member advance tickets start at $32 for adults and $19 for children. 

Willow Hill Lights

November 14 – January 4 | Willow Hill Golf Course, Northbrook
Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook transforms into a drive-through light experience for the holidays. The show has a 2.5 mile route with 1.5 million lights. It costs $40 per car.

Illumination: Tree Lights

November 15 – January 3 | Morton Arboretum, Lisle 
Stroll along an ADA-accessible trail lined with illuminated trees and festive music. Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the week.

Light of Christmas

November 20 – January 4 | Guaranteed Rate Field
This drive-through Christmas show at Guaranteed Rate Field features over one million synchronized lights. The event allows you to tune into a radio station for accompanying Christmas music, too. Tickets start at $29.

Christmas at Cantigny

November 21 – January 4 | Cantigny Park, Wheaton 
This celebration at Cantigny Park in Wheaton features a half-mile, ADA-accessible path that will take visitors through a music-orchestrated light show and other festive decorations. 

City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 21 | Millennium Park
The official city Christmas tree will be illuminated on Friday, November 21 in Millennium Park. The tree will be on display until January 11.

Holiday Magic at the Brookfield Zoo

Select dates, starting November 21 | Brookfield Zoo
The Brookfield Zoo hosts its annual Holiday Magic lights festival, with some 2 million twinkle lights. Ticket prices vary.

Winter Lights at Central Park

November 21 – January 4 | Central Park, Oak Brook
Oak Brook’s Central Park transforms a half-mile walking path into a winter wonderland with thousands of holiday lights.

ZooLights

November 21 – January 4 | Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo’s always-bustling ZooLights is back. General admission ticket prices vary from $7-$12 depending on the day, and general admission is free on select Mondays. New this year, ZooLights is offering a “flexible admission” ticket good for any night for $20. There are additional special events throughout the run, including a sensory-friendly night, an adults-only night, and an Elf movie party. 

Kohlights Holiday Lightacular 

Select Dates, November 28 – December 21 | Kohl Children’s Museum, Glenview
This kid-centric light show, described as “right-sized for young kids” takes place at the Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview and will allow kiddos to interact with the lights and colors of the holiday season. Non-member tickets are $22 for adults and children older than 12 months.