One of my favorite holiday traditions is going to see holiday lights. When I was little, my family and I would drive around on Christmas Eve from neighborhood to neighborhood looking at holiday lights and trying to find the most beautifully decorated houses. As an adult, seeing holiday lights is still one of my favorite things to do. Ever since my daughter was born, my family and I have a tradition of visiting at least one big light display a year, and this year is no different.
Luckily many of our Chicagoland holiday lights displays are outdoors and some are even drive through. That means we can still continue our tradition! Check out these awesome holiday light displays in the Chicagoland area.
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
In addition to all the wonderful lights, join in the Game of Gnomes, a scavenger hunt for 24 gnomes throughout the zoo!
When: November 27 - 29, December 2 - 6, 9 - 13, 16 - 20 & 26 - 31 from 3 - 9 pm.
Where: Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
Cost: $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for kids 3 - 11, $19.95 for seniors 65+ and $15 for parking.
Zoo Lights is a family favorite with holiday lights throughout the zoo, as well as 3D experience add-ons!
When: November 21, 2020 - January 3, 2021 on select evenings from 4 - 10 pm.
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
Cost: $5 per person. There will also be 5 free nights (advanced reservations required) on Nov 24, Dec 9, 17, 21 & 29.
Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum
This year's presentation of Illumination will be a two mile drive instead of the traditional walking display.
When: November 20, 2020 - January 3, 2021; 5 - 10 pm on Sunday - Thursday and 5 - 11 pm on Friday & Saturday.
Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532
Cost: $29 - $49 per vehicle
Kohlights at Kohl Children's Museum
This outdoor interactive lights display allows kids to control and change the lights with a glow stick learning wand!
When: December 11 - 13, 18 - 23, 26 - 31 and January 2 - 3 (with preview nights on December 4 - 6).
Where: Kohl Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026
Cost: $25 per person; $22 per person on preview nights and museum members receive a $5 discount per ticket.
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden - SOLD OUT
Lightscape has sold out two years in a row! Keep your eyes open well in advance for tickets next year.
When: November 13, 2020 - January 3, 2021 on select dates
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
Cost: Lightscape is completely sold out!
Let It Shine Lightshow at Northbrook Court
Drive through this lights show synchronized to holiday music!
When: November 15, 2020 - January 9, 2021 (closed 12/25); weekdays from 4:30 - 10 pm and weekends from 4:30 - 11 pm.
Where: Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake Cook Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062
Cost: Starting at $29.99 per vehicle
Festival of Lights and Tree Sale at Cosley Zoo
Check out Cosley Zoo's outdoor lights display and pick up a Christmas tree while you're there!
When: Daily from November 27th through December 30th (closed on Christmas day). The zoo is open 9 am to 9 pm and lights come on at 3 pm. (On Christmas Eve zoo hours are 9 am to 12 pm.)
Where: Cosley Zoo, 1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187
Cost: Zoo admission is free, but timed entry reservations are required. Trees, wreaths, greens and garlands for sale!
Head over to Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard for a drive through holiday lights show!
When: November 20, 2020 - January 3, 2021 (closed Mondays); Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday from 5 - 10 pm, Friday & Saturday from 5 - 11 pm.
Where: Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard, 42W813 Reinking Rd, Pingree Grove, IL 60140
Cost: $20 per car & $50 for vehicles with 10+ people
Macaroni Kid Skokie-Niles-Park Ridge-Far Northwest Chicago is a website and free weekly newsletter focused on family and kids events and activities in our community. We are delighted to help you Find Your Family Fun® not only in Skokie, Niles and Park Ridge, but also Harwood Heights, Norridge, parts of Morton Grove, Schiller Park and Rosemont as well as the far northwest Chicago neighborhoods of Edison Park, Forest Glen, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, parts of Portage Park and other nearby areas.
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