Christmas Lights in Illinois 2024-2025

Most people would seek the best Christmas lights in Illinois close to Chicago, as the city and its suburbs indeed boast the most impressive holiday displays. The sheer ZooLights, Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue), and Lightscape in Botanic Garden are worth planning for your festive getaway in Chicago. Yet, we have a separate article dedicated to those light displays. Below, you'll find alternative spots to get into the Christmas spirit in Illinois.

Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (November 16, 2024–January 4, 2025)

Situated just 30 miles (50 km) west of Chicago, The Morton Arboretum offers a stunning retreat into nature. Discover 50 acres of majestic trees during this unique spectacle of color, light, and sound. Gather around a crackling fire to warm up and roast marshmallows for s'mores, or visit one of the concession tents for snacks and beverages along the Illumination trail. The 2024 exhibition features 17 displays of lights and music that celebrate the beauty of trees in winter. It will take place from November 16 to January 4 and will be open daily from 4:30 to 9:30 pm. Tickets will be available for purchase on Tuesday, October 15.

Drive-thru Christmas Lights in Illinois

Illinois also offers a great deal of drive-through Christmas light displays. You'll discover some of the best holiday spectaculars in Rockford, in northern Illinois, East Peoria, in central Illinois, and the City of Carlyle in the southern part of the state.

Sinnissippi Park Christmas Lights, Rockford, Illinois (November 29–December 31, 2024, on select dates)

The Festival of Lights in Sinnissippi Park, Rockford, is a long-running drive-thru Christmas light tradition that started in 1989. In addition to the holiday lights, kids can enjoy visits with Santa.

The 2024 Festival of Lights runs from November 29 to December 1, December 5 to 8, and December 12 to 15, from 5 pm to 10:30 pm. Extended hours are available from December 16 to 23 during the same timeframe. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the festival is open for 24 hours. It continues from December 26 to 30, also from 5 pm to 10:30 pm, and on New Year's Eve from 5 pm to midnight. The festival is closed on Thanksgiving and Monday through Wednesday during the first three weeks. There is no charge to drive through the displays, though donations are welcomed and appreciated.

All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens (November 30, 2024–January 6, 2025)

Besides Sinnissippi Park, another nearby spot to check out is the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, hosting All Aglow. The outdoor display includes beloved favorites, light-wrapped trees, and shrubs, along with exciting new surprises. Admire the elegantly illuminated stars and 50 jumbo-lighted candy canes, all meticulously handcrafted by Conservatory staff. Altogether, the grounds feature 300,000 lights, including many "glistening" lights that add extra sparkle to the displays. The lights are on from dusk to dawn. This event is free to the public, though donations are gratefully appreciated.

East Peoria Festival of Lights (November 23, 2024–January 5, 2025)

East Peoria Festival of Lights claims to be one of the brightest Christmas shows in Illinois. The 40th annual East Peoria Festival of Lights will take place from November 29 to January 5. Kicking off the festivities, the Parade of Lights will be held on November 23 at 6 pm. This beloved festival, celebrating four decades of holiday joy, begins with the parade and continues through early January with Folepi's Winter Wonderland drive-through display. The festival's mascot, Folepi—a wooden soldier—represents the event's spirit, with his name standing as an acronym for "Festival of Lights, East Peoria, Illinois."

Admission to Folepi's Winter Wonderland is paid directly at the entrance booth, with cash, credit, and debit cards all accepted. Online admission tickets are not available. Prices are set at $10 for regular vehicles, including cars, trucks, and vans, and $30 for a small bus. To find out more about the East Peoria Festival of Lights, click here.

Carlyle Christmas Lights (November 29, 2024–January 5, 2025)

Carlyle City Park is the perfect final destination to immerse in the holiday lights. Be sure to tune your radio to 90.1 FM to experience the animated drive-through with its dancing trees fully. Thousands of bulbs illuminate the park from late November through early January.

Before enjoying the Christmas lights, participate in the Christmas Parade on December 1, which typically starts at 6:30 pm at the intersection of 11th and Fairfax Streets, proceeding east to 5th Street, where it will turn north toward the City Park. After the parade, everyone is welcome to gather at the City Park to enjoy a dazzling display of Christmas fireworks, which usually begins around 7:30 pm.