While many in Chicago look melancholically over their shoulders at summer around this time of the year, just as many look ahead at the ephemerality of fall and the jubilance of early winter.
The City of Chicago is currently reaching its peak aesthetic elegance with fall foliage sweeping the city. You can always rely on October to provide some truly remarkable sights transforming Chicago’s parks and riversides into prismatic displays of autumnal hues ranging from crimson to canteloupe but it always feels like it comes and goes in the blink of an eye.
Luckily, the ephemerality of fall is alleviated by the assemblage of exhilarating November events and the nearing of Christmas. When Chicago begins transitioning from autumnal delight to Christmas cheer our annual beloved events start up again. From Christmas markets to ice rinks, Chicago has some of the best around but of all the November and December events, light shows are some of our most treasured traditions.
It’s around now that they begin announcing their returns thick and fast and it can be hard to assimilate all the information. Which ones are still going? Are any of them drive-thru experiences again this year? When do tickets go on sale?
Worry not, we’ve ingested and broken down all of the information so you don’t have to. So get a head start and grab tickets to the light shows you’ve got your eyes on before they’re booked up.
1. Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Gardens
After debuting in 2019, Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lightscape and its immersive, after-hours trail of twinkling lights was been a complete sell-out in its first three seasons and we’re expecting this year to be much the same. Teaming up with renowned local and international artists, Lightscape offers visitors an electrifying experience and a must-do winter activity.
This year guests will find a new-and-improved experience adorned with favorites from the last three years and completely new features and installations. The 1.25-mile pathway will include the magical 110-foot tunnel made up of 100,000 shimmering lights, the enchanting fire garden, and the forest of illumination with numerous trees covered in dazzling bulbs that “sing” holiday songs.
When is it running?
Lightscape will run from Friday, November 11, 2022, through Sunday, January 8, 2023.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are available now and can be purchased here.
How much are tickets?
- Adults – Members $30 / Non-Members $32
- Children (3-12) – Members $14 / Non-Members $16
- Children under 3 – Free
More information can be found at chicagobotanic.org.
2. Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Chicago’s beloved Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is returning for its tenth edition. The popular experience will feature 18 unique displays accompanied by music soundtracks that together highlight the beauty of trees in winter. Situated across 50 acres of the nonprofit public garden and outdoor museum Illumination: Tree Lights will take guests snaking through the Arboretum’s majestic landscape along an enchanting one-mile tree-lined walking trail.
There are six brand-new exhibits in addition to returning fan favorites like Treemagination, Hug-a-Tree, the Champion Tree, Festival of Lanterns, and an expanded Golden Glade. Two enormous arbor-inspired sculptures from Daniel Popper’s Human+Nature exhibition will also be featured in this year’s experience and the renowned light show will include a grand finale hosted in the Arboretum’s recently opened Grand Garden.
All new this year is Electric Illumination, a late-night experience for adults 18 and older with a curated mix of trance and progressive house music, synchronized to the breathtaking light displays. This will take place from 9:30 pm through 11 pm on Fridays 16, 23, and 30 in December.
When is it running?
Illumination: Tree Lights will run from Saturday, November 19, 2022, through Saturday, January 7, 2023
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are available now and can be purchased here.
How much are tickets?
Ticket prices are different for members and nonmembers and vary depending on whether it is a standard or discount night.
*Please note members will receive early-bird pricing through the month of October before they increase on November 1st.
- Member Standard night: Adult – $20, Child (2-17) – $13
- Member Discount night: Adult – $15, Child (2-17) –$10
- Guest Standard night: Adult – $27, Child (2-17) – $19
- Guest Discount night: Adult – $22, Child (2-17) – $16
- Children under 2 – Free
Discount nights: November 22-23, 29-30 /December 1, 6-8, 13-15 / January 2-5
Standard nights: November 19-20, 25-27, December 2-4, 9-11, 16-23, 26-31, January 1, 6-7
More information can be found at mortonarb.org.
3. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo’s much-loved annual ZooLights event will also return in November involving many of its cherished holiday traditions, some all-new features, a multitude of $5 nights, and free Mondays.
Hundreds of larger-than-life 3D LED displays will cover Lincoln Park while the usual delicious holiday snacks including warm spiced wine, frosty beers, and festive specials, will all be available throughout the event.
There will also be exciting additional experiences returning to the zoo’s grounds such as the dazzling one-of-a-kind light maze and the enchanted forest offering guests the chance to “meander among butterflies, flowers, mushrooms, and dripping lights with whimsical music and a magical ambiance.”
When is it running?
ZooLights will run from Saturday, November 19, 2022, through Sunday, January 1, 2023.
When do tickets go on sale?
Members have access to tickets ($5 General Admission, Members Only) from October 13 by entering the first three digits of your membership number while the General Public can buy tickets ($5 General Admission, Members Only, and Sensory Friendly night) from October 20 at 11 am.
How much are tickets?
ZooLights tickets are $5 nightly from Tuesday through Sunday. On Mondays, November 21 and 28, and December 5, 12, 19, and 26, tickets are still required, but they are free.
More information can be found at lpzoo.org.
4. Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo isn’t the only light show taking place at a formidable Illinois zoo this winter. Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo will be hosting their 41st Holiday Magic at their 216-acre zoo grounds from Friday, November 25th!
Said to be Chicagoland’s largest and longest-running lights festival, Holiday Magic will feature over two million twinkling LED lights and a multitude of awe-inspiring decorations across the park.
This year there will be a collection of both new and old holiday traditions taking place at Brookfield Zoo. The 600-foot Tunnel of Lights, Game of Gnomes, 20-foot-lit orb, and skating rink will all make a return along with the many photo ops, Christmas activities, and the 2-mile stretch named Sea of Lights that debuted last year.
When is it running?
Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic will run Friday through Sunday, November 25-27; Wednesday through Sunday, November 30, December 1-4, 7-11, 14-18; Monday through Saturday, December 26-31.
When do tickets go on sale?
According to a Brookfield Zoo representative “ticket reservations should be available beginning in early November.”
How much are tickets?
- Adults – $24.95
- Children 3-11 – $17.95
- Children under 3 – Free
- Seniors 65 and over– $19.95
More information can be found at czs.org.
5. AMAZE Light Festival at Odyssey Fun World
After debuting inside Rosemont’s Impact Field stadium last season, the exciting new AMAZE Light Festival is back to delight people of all ages, only this time in Tinley Park’s expansive Odyssey Fun World.
AMAZE is pure holiday magic featuring a million twinkling lights inside various themed worlds. Guests can meet the lovable characters, Zing and Sparky, from the Amaze storybook, who bring the stage dancers, singers, and light show to life with their magic powers.
There will be a holiday market, Sparky’s Sweet Spot, Santa’s Workshop, and an icy “Thrill Hill” tubing slide where friends and family can race down icy slopes on single and double tubes.
When is it running?
AMAZE Light Festival will run on select dates from Friday, November 18, 2022, through Sunday, January 8, 2023.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are now out and can be purchased here.
How much are tickets?
- Adult Admission – $36.00
- Child Admission (2-12yrs) – $30.00
- Group Admission (20+ People) – $30.00
- Children under 2 – Free
More information can be found at amazelightfestival.com/chicago.
6. Sparkle Light Festival at Rosemont’s Impact Field
Taking place at Rosemont’s Impact Field instead is the all-new Sparkle Light Festival. Guests are invited to explore five illuminated villages: the Frozen Forest, Snowflake Circle, Winter Wonderland, the North Pole and Deck the Walls, an all-ages maze of lights.
“Rudolph’s Kids Zone” and a children’s maze will offer families plenty of fun for younger children while additional attractions including winter tubing on the “Alpine Slide” and free train rides on the “Holly Trolly” provide a little more adrenaline for those looking for some winter thrills! A special menu of festive food and beverage options will also be available.
When is it running?
Sparkle Light Festival will run from Friday, November 18, 2022, through Sunday, January 1, 2023.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are now out and can be purchased here.
How much are tickets?
- Adult Admission (13 & up) – $25.00
- Child Admission (2-12) – $20.00
More information can be found at sparklerosemont.com.
7. Aurora’s Festival Of Lights
A little drive out of Chicago and a city that shares its name with nature’s most spectacular natural lights show will once again set up thousands of shimmering light displays in Phillips Park. The best part? It’s absolutely free.
Presented in partnership between The Rotary Club of Aurora, a 99-year-old service club, and the City of Aurora, this signature winter event is a drive-through of more than one mile of spectacular lighted displays including bears, penguins, reindeer, helicopters, shimmering elves, holiday trains, enormous snowflakes, Santa’s Toy Factory and more.
Last year over 50,000 cars drove through and this year the signature annual festival is once again expecting even more. The experience is free but donations are welcome and will all go towards benefiting local charities.
When is it running?
Aurora’s Festival of Lights at Phillips Park will run from Friday, November 25, 2022, through Monday, December 26, 2022.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are not needed to enjoy Aurora’s Festival of Lights.
How much are tickets?
Free.
More information can be found at enjoyaurora.com/festival-of-lights-2022.
8-9. Shine Light Show at Northbrook Court & Schaumburg
While many light show experiences have returned to their pre-covid walking formats, Northbrook Court’s ‘Shine Light Show’ light show is remaining a drive-thru experience after the success of last year and its debut year in 2020.
Holding the title of the largest drive-thru light show in Chicago and thus claiming to be ‘Chicagoland’s premier drive-thru Christmas light show experience’ Let It Shine returns to its Northbrook Court location as well as Wintrust Field in Schaumburg with more of the same on-the-move magic.
Guests are invited to safely drive through the immense light shows and immerse themselves in each wonderland of light displays all synchronized to holiday classics. You can expect dazzling archways, sparkling candy canes, glowing snowmen, and more innovative illuminated installations. While similar in concept, according to organizers, “each show is unique with jaw-dropping holiday displays with over 1M LED lights.”
When is it running?
Let It Shine will run on the following dates:
- Northbrook – Friday, November 18, 2022, through Monday, January 9, 2023
- Schaumburg – Friday, November 18, 2022, through Monday, January 9, 2023
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
How much are tickets?
Tickets are priced the same across all three locations and are per vehicle.
- Weekday Admission– $32.99 per car
- Weekend & Holiday Admission – $42.99 per car
- Optional Fast Pass – +$20.00 to ticket price
More information can be found at shinelightshow.com
10. The BMO Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Of course, a roundup of Chicago light shows can’t go without mentioning Chicago’s iconic Magnificent Mile lights and parade. Saturday, November 19th is the day that over one million lights will begin illuminating The Magnificent Mile for the holiday season.
The stretch of Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Oak Street is one of the most magical places to embrace the festive cheer with more than 200 glistening trees offering a phenomenal spectacle in the heart of Chicago.
The event-filled Saturday begins at 11:00 am starting at Lights Festival Lane (401 North Michigan Avenue) with a free-admission outdoor festival. A festive thoroughfare of booths and family activities, including photos with Santa Claus, a holiday DJ, and more will be taking place for any crowds that come out to embrace the festive cheer before the fun-filled day culminates in the iconic Tree-Lighting Parade which will take off down North Michigan Avenue at 5:30 pm.
When is it running?
The Wintrust Lights Festival will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are not needed.
More information can be found at themagnificentmile.com/lights-festival.