Holiday Lights
While The Branch Moms Local communicates directly with individual homeowners listed on this page in the fall about their light displays, circumstances occasionally arise that cause those individuals to choose not to have their light displays come winter.
Because it is too difficult to track which families will or will not have light displays after our conversations with them, we have decided for the sake of our audience's time, we will only have light displays listed with updated and valid websites or social media pages.
We urge our audience to click on the "EXPLORE MORE" button prior to exploring these displays to ensure the display you are visiting is running on the day that you choose to go. Now go enjoy these incredible displays!
Batavia's Celebration of Lights
LOCATION: Batavia Riverwalk
DATES: November 26th, 5pm - 7pm
DETAILS: Experience the magic of Batavia with your family and friends! Stroll Christmas Tree Lane, featuring 25 holiday trees decorated by local organizations and businesses, and enjoy all the festive bright lights and sounds of the holiday season. Festival activities include the Mayor's tree lighting ceremony, free hayrides with a food donation to the Batavia Food Pantry, a community sing-a-long, a performance by The Batavia Community Band, a story hour, holiday craft activities and a family photo opportunity with Santa! The Depot Museum also will be hosting a special exhibit celebrating Batavians' holiday traditions.
FEE: FREE!
Batavia
Lights on Ekman
LOCATION: 969 Ekman Dr, Batavia
DATES: November 23, 2023 - January 1, 2024, running daily from Dusk to 9:00pm
DETAILS: This holiday light show is a hobby and passion to share with the community. My only ask is - if you like the light show - PLEASE make a donation to our Charity of choice.This year, we are supporting the Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation. BMCF supports MANY local organizations, schools, and charities. Making a donation to BMCF will help make a difference for our neighbors! DONATE HERE: https://www.facebook.com/donate/3313131968762829/
FEE: FREE!
Batavia
Santa's Village Magical Christmas Drive-Thru Experience
LOCATION: Santa's Village, 601 Dundee Ave, East Dundee
DATES: November 24 - December 23rd, 5pm - 9pm (select nights are open until 10pm)
DETAILS: Begin your holiday season with a one-of-a-kind, drive-thru experience at Santa’s Village. Santa’s helpers have been busy transforming our park into a festive winter wonderland. Enjoy over 2 million lights synchronized to holiday music, dazzling displays, live animals, and Santa, himself, as you drive through our park, all from the comfort of your car. Socially safe and set up for any weather. At the end of your drive-thru experience, you’ll be able to purchase funnel cakes and hot chocolate while taking in the breathtaking view of our park.
FEE: $35 per vehicle advanced purchase ($25 for season pass holders)
*** MUST BUY TICKET ONLINE PRIOR TO SHOWING UP***
East Dundee
Festival of Lights at Phillips Park Zoo
LOCATION: 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora
DATES: Daily, November 24 - December 25, 5pm - 9pm
DETAILS: The Aurora Festival of Lights –the largest free outdoor drive-through holiday light display in the region - returns for its 17th year with dazzling displays and merry music that will delight children and adults. Visitors will enjoy a mile of spectacular lighted displays from the comfort of the car while listening to holiday songs on a closed-circuit radio station. This popular free holiday drive-thru features crowd-favorite displays like jumping reindeer, ice skating bears, old man winter, howling wolves, the holiday golfer, Santa’s toy factory, and fields of gigantic snowflakes, along with new displays.
FEE: Admission is free, but visitors must register for an entry ticket HERE!
Aurora
Aurora Winter Lights
LOCATION: Downer Place, Aurora
DATES: November 17th, 6:30 pm start time
DETAILS: As the City of Aurora's official kick-off to the holiday season, this free family-friendly event will be filled with merry-making moments and a sleigh full of fun for the entire family.
Stepping off at 6:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will usher in the holiday season with an illuminated parade filled with reindeer, elves, special guests and other holiday favorites!
Following the Parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Mayor Irvin will lead the crowd in a countdown to flip the magic switch and illuminate the City's holiday tree!
After the tree lighting, the downtown Aurora sky will be brightened by a grand fireworks display along the banks of the Fox River, sponsored by the Chicago Premium Outlets!
After the fireworks, Stolp Avenue, between Downer Place and Galena Boulevard, will be filled with food vendors, roaming costumed characters, and musical entertainment at Millennium Plaza!
FEE: FREE
Aurora
Christmas Light Show at Sonny Acres
LOCATION: Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago
DATES: Opening Day, November 17th
DETAILS:
Mark your calendars for the momentous grand celebration of our ALL-NEW Christmas light show. It’s the most extraordinary holiday kick-off you’ll find in Chicagoland! Featuring millions of dazzling lights and holiday-themed displays that are larger-than-life, sure to delight all.
Santa will be there to flip the power switch to set the night aglow, it’s a celebration of light and sound that will leave you in wonder!
Visit our Big and Bright Trail of Lights Christmas Festival and lights show, bringing families & friends closer, creating joyful memories.
FEE: Free entry, activites are additional.
West Chicago
Festival of Lights at Cosley Zoo
LOCATION: Cosley Zoo, 1356 N Gary Avenue, Wheaton
DATES: November 24 - December 30th, 3pm - 9pm (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
DETAILS: A winter visit to Cosley Zoo has become a favorite family tradition. Cosley Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, hot chocolate, and a unique assortment of holiday gifts in the Wild Side Gift Shop. All proceeds from this event benefit Cosley Zoo.
FEE: FREE, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Wheaton
Night of Lights
LOCATION: Adams Park, 201 N Main St, Wheaton
DATES: November 24th, 4:30pm
DETAILS: Nights of Lights returns to Adams Park for its fourth year! Join us for the park lighting on November 24 at 4:30pm and enjoy this display through the holiday season. Featuring over 55,000 bulbs lighting the trees and an animated light display at the fountain, a walk through Adams Park will “wow” the whole family. Thank you to the City of Wheaton for providing this wonderful display throughout the holiday season.
**Night of Lights continues through January 7, 2024.
FEE: FREE!
Wheaton
Holiday Parade of Lights
LOCATION: Jackson & Webster Streets, Downtown Naperville
DATE: November 24th at 7pm
DETAILS: The Rotary Club of Naperville is hosting the 2023 Parade of Lights in partnership with the Downtown Naperville Alliance.
The parade will travel through the heart of downtown Naperville on Friday, November 24th under the beautiful twinkling lights. Distinctly focused on delighting children of all ages, parade goers will enjoy an evening of brightly lit floats, local music performers, home-town parade units, and Santa Claus will appear.
FEE: FREE!
Naperville
Electric Illumination at the Morton Arboretum
LOCATION: Morton Arboretum, Lisle
DATES: Fridays December 8, 15, 22 and 29th from 9:30-11pm
DETAILS: Electric Illumination is a late-night experience for adults 18 and older that brings a curated mix of dynamic and dance-worthy music synchronized to the breathtaking light displays of Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum. On Friday nights, December 8, 15, 22, and 29, from 9:30 to 11:00 p.m. you’ll experience Illumination like you never have before.
December 8, 15, and 22: Progressive house music
December 29: 80s dance hits
FEE: $$
Lisle
Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum
LOCATION: Morton Arboretum, Lisle
DATES: November 18, 2023 – January 6, 2024
Time slots from 4:30pm - 8pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve + Day, and select Mondays)
DETAILS: Join in celebrating the tenth annual Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum during the Arboretum’s 100th anniversary year. Explore 50 acres of the Arboretum’s majestic trees during this one-of-a-kind spectacle of color, light, and sound featuring six dazzling new displays as well as returning favorites. You will be awed and delighted by the first Illumination display in The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden, leading to a spectacular laser-light finale.
FEE: $11-$27 per ticket
Lisle
Riverside Parade of Lights
LOCATION: Downtown East Dundee
DATE: December 2nd, 6:30pm
DETAILS: Please join us for a magical night along the riverfront for our 2nd Annual Riverside Parade of Lights!
Watch all of the holiday magic come alive as the parade kicks off in West Dundee on S. Lincoln Ave. (just south of N. 6th St.), travel north to, and across, the Main St. bridge in Carpentersville, then south on Washington/Water St. to East Dundee (ending at Railroad St.)
FEE: FREE!
East Dundee
Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic
LOCATION: Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield,
DATES: November 24-26, 30 & December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31
DETAILS: Get ready to visit Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival featuring over two million twinkling LED lights! Save the Date! Advance tickets required for some entries. See website for details.
Interactive Displays and Lights:
•Holiday Magic Photo Ops: Giant Animals, Tunnel Light Show, Walkthrough Displays & so much more!
•Dance Party at Polar Plaza
•Letters to Santa and Animals
Entertainment from 5-8 p.m.
•North Pole at The Pavilions featuring:
•Those Funny Little People
•Juggling Elves
•Pictures with Santa (through December 23)
•Roaming Carolers
•Ice Carving at the Nature Stage
Plus Our Attractions:
•Virtual Reality Experiences* (open weather permitting)
•Carousel* (open weather permitting)
*Separate fees apply
Shopping and Festive Food Throughout the Zoo
FEE: Adults: $29.95 | Seniors 65 and over: $24.95 | Children 3 to 11: $20.95 | 2 and under are free | Parking is $15.18
Brookfield
Happy Holiday Railway: The Holiday Light Experience
LOCATION: Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olsen Road, Union
DATES: Saturdays and Sundays, November 24th (Black Friday), 25th, 26th, December 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, and 23rd. Trips take place at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm. (Rides at other times on all dates may be added later based on demand).
DETAILS: Embark on a magical 40 minute train ride through the winter countryside with Santa Claus himself! Enjoy a 40-minute train ride for the whole family See and visit with Santa Claus on the train Treats and hot chocolate will be served Gifts will be given to children on Santa’s “good list” Holiday lights display at the boarding area including the biggest and brightest Christmas tree in McHenry County.
FEE: $25 per person
Union
Lightscape at Botanic Gardens
LOCATION: Chicago Botanic Gardens , 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
DATES: November 10th thru January 7, 2024 (Closed most Mondays, Tuesdays, and select holidays) | 4:30pm - 9:15pm
DETAILS: Our acclaimed holiday event returns, with a new path and new light-filled installations created just for the Chicago Botanic Garden. Explore the whimsy of nature in winter through music, light, fire, and color. Featured artistic works will include favorites such as the luminous Winter Cathedral and a reimagined fire garden. Celebrate outside with friends and family at Lightscape, the brightest spot for holiday cheer.
COST: $17 - $34 in advance, under 3 are free; parking $15 in advance, $21 upon arrival at event
Glencoe
Holiday Homecoming Lighting of the Lights
LOCATION: First Street Plaza, St. Charles
DATE: November 24th, 5pm
DETAILS: Come celebrate the Lighting of the Lights Ceremony while kicking off the holiday season with the community! Even Santa will be there to meet and take pictures with everyone after the event!
FEE: FREE!
St. Charles
Elgin Tree Lighting
LOCATION: Festival Park, Elgin
DATE: November 25th at 5pm
DETAILS: Residents and visitors gather at Festival Park's Splash Pad (132 S. Grove Avenue) to view the annual tree lighting ceremony where Mayor Kaptain, members of City Council, and Santa turn on the holiday tree lights. 2
FEE: FREE!
Elgin
Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo
LOCATION: Lincoln Park Zoo , 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago
DATES: November 17 – January 7, 2024 | 4:30pm - 10pm *Special sensory-friendly night on November 29th.
DETAILS: The most wonderful time of the year deserves the most wonderful event of the year! Celebrate the holidays with ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ. This festive, one-of-a-kind holiday experience offers a merry, family-oriented tradition in the heart of the city. Your visit helps keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and supports our animal care,
FEE: Mondays are free, Tuesdays - Sundays, $7 - $10
Chicago
Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo
LOCATION: Geneva Commons, 602 Commons Drive, Geneva
DATE: November 25, 6 - 8pm
DETAILS: #GenevaCommons is having our annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on Saturday, November 25th, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. In front of Williams and Sonoma by the Bell Tower. Don't miss the chance to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and Christmas Carolers! In addition, we will be handing out free small toys to the kids! (while supplies last). Join us to celebrate the festive season!
FEE: FREE!
Geneva
Holiday Lights Festival
LOCATION: Deer Crossing Park, 1050 W. Romeo Road, Romeoville
DATE: December 1 & 2, 5 -8pm
DETAILS:
Friday December 1st
Tree Lighting at 5PM
Join us as we kick off the holiday season and turn on all the dazzling lights. Then stay for the festivities which include:
Character Encounters, Live Reindeer, Ice Carving, Holiday Market, Holiday Train, Food Trucks, Activities, and more!
Photos with Santa (Free for Romeoville Residents - registration required more details coming soon)
Saturday December 2nd
The Annual Holiday Parade is on Saturday this year! Catch Santa and the parade of decorated vehicles as they spread holiday cheer through the streets and neighborhoods around town. Then join us at the Holiday Lights Festival for Character Encounters, Live Reindeer, Ice Carving, Holiday Market, Holiday Train, Food Trucks, Activities, and more!
Photos with Santa (Free for Romeoville Residents - registration required more details coming soon)
For the latest updates and details go to: https://bit.ly/3POCwga
FEE: FREE!
Romeoville
Goebbert's Farm Light Show- Drive- Thru & Larsen Light Show
LOCATION: Goebbert's Farm, 42W813 Reinking Road, Pingree Grove
DATE: November 23 - January 6, 2024
DETAILS: DETAILS FOR THE LARSEN’S DRIVE UP SHOW
Dates:
(Closed Monday & Tuesday until 12/18/23)
Wednesdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Thursdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Fridays: 5:00pm-11:00pm
Saturdays: 5:00pm-11:00pm
Sundays: 5:00pm-10:00pm
*Last show starts 30 min prior to closing
Tickets: $30 per car
The Drive Up Show runs approximately 30 minutes. The time on your ticket is the START TIME of the show. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your show time.(EX: If your ticket is for the 5:00 show, arrive to the Farm at 4:45 to be parked in time for showtime). Timing is not flexible.
If purchasing tickets to both shows, attend the Drive Up Show first due to the set timing of the show, then head to the Drive Thru Show.
DETAILS FOR THE DRIVE-THRU SHOW:
Wednesdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Thursdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Fridays: 5:00pm-11:00pm
Saturdays: 5:00pm-11:00pm
Sundays: 5:00pm-10:00pm
*Last entry is 30 min prior to closing
Tickets: $25 per car
The Drive Thru Light Show is approximately 15 minutes to drive through the show. There is not a set start time.
WEDNESDAY SPECIAL:
On Wednesdays only, the Goebbert's Drive Thru Light Show is FREE with the purchase of Larsen's Drive Up Light Show Ticket. The free drive thru is valid on the same night only as the purchased Larsen ticket- Wednesdays only. For guests that want to do both shows for the Wednesday special pricing, purchase ONLY the Larsen Light Show ticket. No additional ticket is needed for the Drive Thru show for guests viewing both shows on the same Wednesday night.
Tickets are nonrefundable/dates are not transferable/all sales final.
*There is no light show at the Goebbert’s South Barrington location*
FEE: $30 per car for the Larsen Light Show & $25 per car for the Drive-Thru Show
Pingree Grove