The temperatures are dropping but holiday lights displays are popping up to entice you outdoors despite the chill. Here is our list of sparkling light shows in and around Chicago, from mile-long walking paths to drive-thru experiences, including some in-person reports.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Now in its 30th year, this popular family-friendly attraction brightens Chicago’s dark winter nights with more than 3 million lights displayed across the Lincoln Park Zoo. With tickets ranging from $7 to $10 and free admission on select Mondays, ZooLights remains an affordable holiday outing.
Arriving around dusk on a relatively warm evening, I was happy to glimpse more of the zoo’s outdoor animals than I’ve seen in past years, including lions, zebras, snow leopards, red pandas and a camel. It was a bit strange to see autumn leaves carpeting the ground under the festive light displays, but personally, I’m not ready for cold weather yet anyway.
Returning elements this year include a walk-through light tunnel, a synchronized musical light show, hot drink and snack stations, photo ops, professional ice carving (Fridays and Saturdays), strolling Victorian carolers (Sundays through Dec. 22) and visits with Santa (through Dec. 22). The Ferris wheel, carousel, a holiday-themed VR experience and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus require additional tickets. Several special events are also offered this year: a sensory-friendly night (Dec. 4, general admission), the Chris White Jazz Trio performing a tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (Dec. 8, additional ticket required) and an adults-only night (Dec. 12, additional ticket required).
Located at Foreman Pavilion, the Light Lounge is a new space that offers interactive light activities, such as glowing seesaws, that will keep the little ones entertained while the adults can relax on light-up furniture with a seasonal beverage (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available). No extra ticket is required.
ZooLights regulars will notice some new light installations this year, said event manager Meg Hein. I spotted several of the examples she mentioned, such as strings of neon lights that send beams of color shooting up tree trunks. The Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo has also received a glow-up, with elegant globe lights among the tree branches and along the pathways.
Over the past three decades, ZooLights has “really taken on an identity of its own,” said Hein. “I think it’s really neat that it’s a fully Chicago-produced, Chicago-installed show that really makes it feel like a part of the community.”
Through Jan. 5, 2025, 4:30-9 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 4:30-10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Thanksgiving Eve. ZooLights will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. At the Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive; tickets are $7 or $10; free admission passes on select Mondays. More information at lpzoo.org/event/zoolights
— Emily McClanathan
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Lightscape is marking its fifth year at the Botanic Garden. New this year are themed evenings, where attendees are encouraged to rock festive apparel: Tuesdays are glow, Wednesdays are pajamas and Thursdays are ugly sweaters. Plus, if you’d like to enjoy the lights without having to share the path with strollers, for the first time, the garden is reserved for adults 21+ from 7-11 p.m. on Nov. 21 and Dec. 5.
A majority of the installations this year are new, including Winter Galaxy by Chicago artist ArtAV, which features a dozen 16-foot stars that light up various colors and are timed to music, and On the Tide by UK artist Squidsoup, where strands of light float on the water and extend from the Serpentine Bridge.
Instead of one overarching theme, Lightscape is meant to take visitors through different moods, said Jodi Zombolo, Chicago Botanic Garden’s associate vice president of visitor events and programs.
“Each installation has its own story to tell, whether it’s upbeat or contemplative or something that the kids find fun,” she said. “As you walk along, there’s a different experience with each installation, not just lights on a tree.”
And that’s certainly true, as the trail features some simpler, quieter moments at points, including Lantern Walk, Acorn Walkway and this year’s iteration of the recurring Fire Garden, called Firelight Harmony by Lee Fiskness, Travis Shupe and Brian Thunder.
“It’s very peaceful and overlooks the Japanese Garden,” Zombolo said. “It’s serene, and you can take a minute to enjoy the calm.”
But brighter and bolder installations are dispersed throughout the new route as well. One clear standout was Candy Lane, which draws inspiration from the classic childhood board game Candy Land. The installation is full of playful energy, from the upbeat music to the brightly colored walkway to the candy canes and gumdrops.
Zombolo’s personal favorite is Submergence, which first appeared in 2019 but is back this year, about three times as large. The installation is one of the most immersive of the whole show and features long strands of lights that visitors can walk through.
“I’m so excited to have it return because it was such a big hit the first year,” she said.
This year, there are three locations along the path where visitors can purchase beverages and food.
Of course, the show ends with the Winter Cathedral, the iconic tunnel of glowing white lights.
Select dates through Jan. 5, 2025, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe; tickets are $34 for adults, $19 for children ages 3-12, children ages 2 and under are free. Parking is an additional $25 per vehicle ($15 if purchased in advance). More information at chicagobotanic.org/lightscape
— Kayla Samoy
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit originated in 1942, when a single tree was newly decorated each day to represent a different Allied nation during World War II. Since then, the annual event has grown to include more than 50 trees and displays that celebrate the holiday traditions of countries and cultures spanning six continents.
As visitors enter the museum’s rotunda, they will be dazzled by the sight of a four-story tree and perhaps get dusted by an artificial snow shower, a new element this year. Wandering through the surrounding rooms, they can explore the individual trees, which are decorated by volunteers from schools, churches, cultural centers and other community groups.
In addition, this year’s Holidays of Light displays include Lunar New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, Hanukkah, Visakha Puja Day and St. Lucia Day. Two crèches feature an Italian nativity scene and a collection of Serbian Orthodox decorations. All the trees and light boxes have signage to explain the history and traditions that inspire the décor. The exhibit is accompanied by a holiday-themed gift shop, and Santa will be mingling with visitors on select days.
Matt Porth, the museum’s deputy director of guest engagement, named a few examples of the many volunteers who make the exhibit possible each year. The Korean tree is adorned with paper ornaments hand-crafted by seniors from the HANA Center, a Chicago-based organization that supports Korean, Asian American and multiethnic immigrant communities. Students from River Forest High School in Hobart, Indiana, make the ornaments for the French tree and choose a monochrome color palette each year. This time, they went with gold. “Some of those groups have been spending the entire year, if not longer, working on their ornaments,” Porth said.
“I personally feel we should all learn as much about different countries, different cultures, as possible. It’s important to know how people celebrate around the world, because I think that just brings us all closer,” Porth said. “If people take time to look at all the ornaments and then read the panels, they can walk away learning so much.”
Through Jan. 6, 2025, at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; tickets are included with museum entry at $26 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 11. More information at msichicago.org
— E.M.
Illumination at the Morton Arboretum
In Lisle, Morton Arboretum is marking the 12th year of Illumination. The mile-long path includes 17 installations, is fully ADA-compliant and follows the same route as last year.
“The great benefit of a year-over-year show is that we can do what I like to whimsically call ‘let’s try the couch by the window,’ which means moving experiences around to see how they work and how they resonate,” said John Featherstone, creative director of Illumination and lighting designer with Lightswitch. So while some installations may look familiar if you’ve been in years past, they may be located in a completely different part of the trail.
The route begins with one major completely new experience: Celebration Circle in the Grand Garden’s Centennial Plaza.
“As you walk into this plaza, you are greeted with this gigantic 20-foot tree standing in front of you,” said Amy Scott, Morton’s head of exhibitions. “It has dynamic patterns and colors that are constantly changing.”
“It’s part holiday tree, part modern light display, part lighting piece,” Featherstone said.
The area is accompanied by a soundtrack featuring a series of base tones that someone on Featherstone’s team composed specifically for the arboretum. Visitors are invited to interact with four stations where they can manipulate the sound and lighting in the area. The sections are synched with different instruments: an organ, a bass, bells and strings.
“So every time a different group of guests is coming into the space, it’s creating something completely different,” he said. “You get to create a piece of music with friends, family, loved ones and strangers … play is a big part of what we want people to do at Illumination as well.”
When designing the show, Featherstone said he aims to keep the focus on the natural environment. Illumination covers about 50 of the arboretum’s 1,700 acres, and there are more than 1,000 trees along the route.
“Everything that we do at the Morton Arboretum is in celebration of their mission to be the champion of trees and celebrating nature,” Featherstone said. “I spend a lot of time at the Morton Arboretum at other times of year trying to capture what I call emotional souvenirs.”
You’ll see bits of that inspiration dispersed amongst the trail, with Golden Glade drawing inspiration from a meadow of short golden grasses, while Winter Radiance calls back to the arboretum’s tall prairie grasses. One adorable installation called Hug-a-Tree encourages visitors to wrap their arms around a tree.
New this year is a sensory evening Dec. 3 that will feature static lights and a calmer soundtrack that’s turned down to lower volumes. Other special evenings are the Electric Illumination adults-only nights, where different soundtracks will alter the vibe, with pop 2000s hits playing Nov. 29-30, country mashups from Dec 6-7 and diva anthems from Dec 13-14.
“It’s a fantastic walk through a wonderland,” Scott said. “Some people rush through it, and I think they miss a lot of the changes. … It really just pays to take your time, not be in a rush and really explore and discover.”
The path features various areas where visitors are encouraged to step off the path in order to observe the installations. These spots are especially necessary at installations such as Treemagination, where a grove of trees serves as a natural screen for a series of projections.
“People ask me all the time, what is the most important thing to do at Illumination,” Featherstone said. “And what I say is — slow down. We live in such busy times, and we’re so busy at this time of year, it’s a really rare opportunity to just breathe a little bit and be present.”
4:30-9:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 4, 2025, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle; more information at mortonarb.org
— K.S.
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival returns for its 43rd annual year, where more than 2 million lights turn the zoo into a winter wonderland. New areas this year include Candy Cane Lane, where you can deposit letters to Santa, and Sparking Coast, which will have underwater light statues. A new Holiday Market will have craft cocktails, winter clothing and funnel cakes for sale.
3-9 p.m. Nov. 22-24, 29-30 and Dec. 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-31 at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield; tickets start at $29.95 for adults, $20.95 for kids ages 3-11 and $24.95 for seniors 65 and older. Parking is $15-$18. More information at brookfieldzoo.org//holidaymagic
— K.S.
City of Chicago Christmas Tree
The 111th annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree will be lit up for the season at 6 p.m. Nov. 22. Come an hour early to enjoy a preshow with performances and stay for fireworks after the ceremony. This year’s tree is donated by the Holden family, who live in Logan Square.
Through Jan. 8, 2025, at Millennium Park, near Michigan Avenue and Washington Street, more information at chicago.gov
— K.S.
Light up the Lake on Navy Pier
Bask in the glow of Navy Pier’s free outdoor light displays and explore a range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. New this year, thrill-seeking visitors can ride down a two-story ice slide and take a wintertime spin on the Pier’s Wave Swinger. Fireworks take place every Saturday at 9 p.m., and new holiday-themed drone shows will premiere at 9 p.m. on Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. Other attractions include axe throwing, fire pits, visits with Santa, rides on the Centennial Wheel, craft workshops and local holiday artisan markets.
Nov. 29 to Jan. 5, 2025, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; free, some activities are ticketed, more information at navypier.org/light-up-the-lake
— E.M.
Festival of Lights in Rockford
Where I grew up in northwest Illinois, Rockford was the biggest city around, and the holiday season wasn’t complete without visiting the Festival of Lights in Sinnissippi Park. Run by volunteers for the past 35 years, the drive-thru experience features over 85 lighting displays sponsored by local individuals, community organizations and businesses. Grab some snacks, pile into the car and enjoy the lights while listening to 24-hour holiday music on 103.1 FM. Santa will be in the park most weekends, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; check the event website or Facebook for his schedule. Entry is free but donations are welcome.
5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, Thursdays through Sundays from Dec. 5-15, daily Dec. 16-23, Thursday through Monday Dec. 26-30; open 24 hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; 5 p.m. to midnight New Year’s Eve. At Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd Street, Rockford; free, more information at 4thandlights.com
— E.M.
Illuminated in Rockford
Rockford is one of a handful of American cities graced by the elegant landscapes of Hoichi Kurisu, a designer who was born in Hiroshima, Japan, and trained in Tokyo. His 12-acre outdoor creation, Anderson Japanese Gardens, gets a festive makeover each winter with colorful uplighting and white string lights adorning the trees that line the garden’s streams, waterfalls and ponds. This year’s edition of Illuminated will offer made-to-order woodfire pizzas and a rotating schedule of food trucks, with fireside dining and beverages available inside the visitor’s center. The show will close if the temperature is below 15 degrees Fahrenheit at 3 p.m., so be sure to check the garden’s website or Facebook page for weather-related closures.
5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays Dec. 7-15 and daily Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, 2025 (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day) at the Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford; $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, $12 for students and military, free for children ages 5 and under. More information at andersongardens.org/illuminated
— E.M.
Glow Holiday Festival in Joliet
This year, Joliet’s Slammer Stadium is seeing the debut of this outdoor walk-through festival, which began in Minnesota. Installations will include a Fairytale Castle and and Enchanted Forest, plus a light and music show that runs every 20 minutes featuring holiday songs. Visit Santa’s Shack to share your holiday wish or roast some s’mores over a fire pit. One dollar from every ticket purchased locally will benefit Joliet and Chicagoland charities.
5-9 p.m. select evenings from Nov. 27 to Jan. 5, 2025, at Joliet Slammers Stadium, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Dr. Joliet; tickets $19.75 for those ages 13 and older, $12.75 for children, free for those age 3 and under. More information at glowholiday.com/joliet
— K.S.
Big & Bright Trail of Lights at Sonny Acres Farm
For the first year, this West Chicago amusement farm is hosting a Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival for the holiday season. The mile-long walking trail will feature a replica of the “Christmas Story” house. Visitors can also get photos with Santa taken at Santa’s Workshop ($28 per family). Pick up a fresh tree and handmade wreath, or peruse a Christmas market on select Saturdays featuring more than 20 local makers. Sweet treats include hot cocoa, hot cider and s’mores kits you can roast over fire pits.
Nov. 22 to Dec. 30., closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at 29W310 N. Ave, West Chicago; Trail of Lights tickets are $17 for adults ages 18+ and $12 for children ages 3-17 at TIXR
— K.S.
Willow Hill Lights
Returning to Willow Hill Golf Course for the fourth year, this family-friendly event features a 2.5-mile drive-through route with over 1 million lights, three tunnels, a 30-foot Christmas tree and seasonal favorites such as Rudolph and Frosty. Tune in to 89.9 FM to listen to holiday music while you take in the lights. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Misericordia, a nonprofit located on Chicago’s North Side that supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Nov. 22 to Jan. 5, 2025, entry from 5-8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Willow Hill Golf Course, 1350 Willow Road Lot H, Northbrook; tickets are $40 per standard vehicle, $80 for limos and buses (RVs and trailers are prohibited), more information at willowhilllights.com
— E.M.