Make Your Spirit Bright With These Holiday Light Shows Around Chicago

The holidays are upon us, and that means that light shows are returning to Chicagoland to brighten up the season. Many light festivals kick off in mid-November and run through early January. Explore the list below.

Lightscape

November 15 – January 5 | Chicago Botanic Garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden’s popular annual Lightscape event returns starting Friday, November 15. The event changes each year, so there will be new light displays this season. Non-member advance tickets are $32 for adults and $19 for children.

ZooLights

November 15 – January 5 | Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo’s always-bustling ZooLights returns for its 30th year starting in mid-November. General admission ticket prices vary from $7-$10 depending on the day, and general admission is free on select Mondays.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

November 16 – January 6 | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s annual holiday tradition returns to celebrate a diverse range of holiday traditions from around the globe, plus a “forest of more than 50 trees” lit up and decorated for the season. The cost of museum entry will give you access.

Illumination: Tree Lights

November 16 through January 4 | Morton Arboretum
Stroll along a one-mile paved path lined with illuminated trees and festive music. Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the week.

Light of Christmas

November 21 through January 5 | 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 $23.

Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival

November 22 – December 30 | Sonny Acres Farm, West Chicago
Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago is creating a mile-long walking trail of lights, along with a replica of the house from A Christmas Story, and other family-friendly holiday activities. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for kids.

City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 22 | Millennium Park
The official city Christmas tree will be illuminated on Friday, November 22 in Millennium Park. The tree will be on display until January 8.

Willow Hill Lights

November 22 through January 5 | 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 over one million lights. It costs $40 per car.

Light Up the Lake

November 29 – January 5 | Navy Pier
This indoor and outdoor holiday experience takes over parts of Navy Pier with lakefront light displays, a skating rink, an ice slide, live music, a holiday market, and even axe-throwing. It’s free to admire the lights, but some of the other activities have a cost.

Holiday Magic at the Brookfield Zoo

Select dates, starting November 22 | Brookfield Zoo
The Brookfield Zoo hosts its annual Holiday Magic lights festival, with some 2 million twinkle lights. Tickets for non-members purchased ahead of time are $20.95 for kids and $29.95 for the grown-ups.

Kohlights Holiday Lightacular 

November 29 – December 22 | 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.