My family LOVES walking and driving through holiday light displays. Blame it on COVID, and the need to find social distanced holiday events to still create a magical holiday season while listening to Christmas music and reveling in the beauty of the creatively put together experiences, but we love it even now!
We've rounded up some great options to walk thru and drive thru to see the best holiday light displays near Wheaton, IL this holiday season for your whole family to enjoy!
Walk Through Light Displays |
Is there anything more magical than bundling up, getting a big cup of hot cocoa and walking through an immersive light display, experiencing the twinkling lights with your family to bring the brightness to the dark winter nights? Here are some great local light displays near Wheaton, IL to walk through this holiday season:
Nights of Lights at Adams Park
303 W Wesley St, Wheaton, IL 60187
- Free admission
- November 24 – January 7 | Daily starting at 4:30 pm
Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park
150 S Park Ave, Lombard, IL 60148
- Free admission
- December 2 – January 1 | Daily, 4:30 – 10:00 pm
- ***NEW*** Just extended through January 7th!
Winter Lights at Central Park
1520 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523
- Free admission
- December 2 – January 7 | Daily, 4:30 – 10:00 pm
Cosley Zoo Festival of Lights
1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187
- Free admission
- November 24 – December 30 | Daily, 9:00 am - 9 pm
- December 24 & 31 | 9 am - Noon, December 25 & January 1 | Closed
McCormick House and Gardens: Lights and Music
Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189
- Pre-purchased tickets required
- December 1 – December 23 (Closed Mondays)
- Parking $10 + Adults $15, Children $5, Under 3 are free
- Enter anytime during your 30 minute time slot, then enjoy at your own pace
Bloomingdale Festival of Lights
Old Town Park, 111 3rd St, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
- Free admission
- December 3 – December 23
Big & Bright Trail of Lights at Sonny Acres Farm
29W310 North Ave West Chicago, IL 60185
- $10-15 for adults, $5-10 for kids, children under 3 are free
- November 24 – December 31 | Starts at 5:00 PM, Dates/times vary
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route, 53 Lisle, IL 60532
- Reservations required, save more the further in advance you book
- Prices per person range from about $11-$44, prices vary by day/time
- November 18 – January 6 | Daily, 4:30 – 10:00 pm
- Illumination is closed on November 20, 23, 27; December 4, 11, 24, and 25.
Drive Through Light Displays |
For extra cold days, and if you have lots of little ones in tow, it's easier to stay warm and cozy in the car to see the holiday lights! Here are some great local drive through light displays near Wheaton, IL to enjoy this holiday season:
Aurora Festival of Lights
Phillips Park Zoo, 1000 Ray Moses Dr, Aurora, IL 60505
- Free admission, but reservation required
- November 25 – December 25 | Daily, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Magical Christmas Drive Thru
Santa's Village, 601 Dundee Ave, East Dundee, Illinois, 60118
- Reservation required, $35 per car
- November 24 – December 23 | times starting at 4:30 PM
- December 28-30 | times starting at 5:00 PM
Light of Christmas
Guaranteed Rate Field, 3326 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
- Mon – Wed: $24.99 per car, Thur – Sun & Holidays: $39.99 per car
- All tickets after 12/21: $39.99
- Fast Pass Add'l: $19.99
- November 20 — January 3 | Daily 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Santa's Rock N Lights
Lake County Fair Grounds, 1060 E Peterson Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030
- Reservation required
- $29.99 to $36.99/car with up to 6 people, $6.99 extra per person over 6 people
- Open most days Nov. 17 to Dec. 31, Times vary by day
Larsen's Drive Up Light Show
42W813 Reinking Rd. Pingree Grove IL 60140
- Online tickets only, $30-40 per car (check their Facebook page for 2 for 1 deal days!)
- Open now until January 6th 2024
- Sun-Thurs: 5 pm- 10 pm (last car entry at 9:30)
- Fri-Sat: 5 pm - 11 pm (last car entry at 10:30)
Goebbert’s Drive Thru Light Show
42W813 Reinking Rd. Pingree Grove IL 60140
- Online tickets only, $25 per car (check their Facebook page for 2 for 1 deal days!)
- Open now until January 6th 2024
- Sun-Thurs: 5 pm- 10 pm (last car entry at 9:30)
- Fri-Sat: 5 pm - 11 pm (last car entry at 10:30)
*Updated 12/29/23; Times and events are subject to change, please double check event website before attending!
Looking for more Winter Fun? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Family Friendly Holiday Fun for drive-thru light displays, Christmas tree farms, ice skating rinks, Santa sightings, and more:
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Macaroni Kid Wheaton is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the Wheaton area and Western Suburbs in and around Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Lisle, Lombard, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, event and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more.
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