Many in Chicago look melancholically back on summer around this time of the year, just as many eagerly await the beauty of fall and the jubilance of early winter. Chicago is about to reach its peak aesthetic elegance with fall foliage sweeping through the city, but despite the awe-inspiring autumnal hues, it always feels like they come and go in the blink of an eye.
Luckily, the ephemerality of fall is alleviated by the exhilarating events, the holidays, and the annual beloved Christmas light shows in Chicago. From Christkindlmarket locations to the city’s winter ice rinks, Chicago has some of the best festive fun in the country.
Of all the incredible winter events, however, the light shows in Chicago are one of our most treasured traditions. Keep scrolling to get a head start and reserve tickets to the light shows you’ve got your eyes on before they all go.
1. The BMO Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Of course, a roundup of Christmas light shows in Chicago can’t go without mentioning the city’s iconic Magnificent Mile lights and parade, so where else to start?
Over one million lights will begin illuminating The Magnificent Mile on Saturday, November 18th, marking the beginning of 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 a.m. 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 occur on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are not needed.
More information can be found at themagnificentmile.com/lights-festival.
2. Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Last year voted as the best Christmas light shows in Chicago and the Midwest, Chicago’s beloved Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is one of the first shows you’ll want to secure tickets for.
Returning for its eleventh edition, the popular experience will feature 19 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.
Once again, the experience will be custom-designed and developed uniquely for the Arboretum in partnership with international media and exhibit designers Lightswitch LLC, ensuring energy-efficient, eco-friendly lighting displays.
The popular 18-and-older late-night experience will also be returning after debuting in 2022 and will take place from 9:30 to 11 p.m. on Fridays, December 8, 15, 22, and 29, with a new curated trance and house music soundtrack synchronized to light displays.
What are the dates?
🗓️ Illumination: Tree Lights will run from Saturday, November 18, 2023, through Saturday, January 6, 2024.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets will be made available to members on October 16 and to the general public on October 23 via mortonarb.org.
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.
Last year’s prices were as follows:
- 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
More information can be found at mortonarb.org.
3. Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden
After debuting in 2019, Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lightscape and its immersive, after-hours trail of twinkling lights has been a complete sell-out in its first four 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 of Christmas light in Chicago—it’s a must-do winter activity.
This year, guests will find a new-and-improved experience adorned with favorites from the last four years and completely new features and installations. The 1.25-mile pathway will again include the magical 110-foot tunnel made up of 100,000 shimmering lights and the enchanting fire garden, as well as several all-new installations popping up in new parts of the Chicago Botanic Garden that will be used in Lightscape for the very first time.
What are the dates?
🗓️ Lightscape will run from Friday, November 10, 2023, to Sunday, January 7, 2024.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are available now and can be purchased at chicagobotanic.org.
How much are tickets?
- Adults – Members $30 / Non-Members $34
- Children (3-12) – Members $19 / Non-Members $21
- Children under 3 – Free
More information can be found at chicagobotanic.org.
4. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo’s much-loved annual ZooLights event will also return in November. It will include many of its cherished holiday traditions, like the Christmas light shows in Chicago, and new features like several $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 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.”
What are the dates?
🗓️ ZooLights will run from Friday, November 17, 2023, through January 7, 2024, but will be closed on November 23, December 24, and December 25.
When do tickets go on sale?
For now, the website reads, “Tickets will be available for purchase beginning in mid-October. Pricing information is coming soon!” Last year, members could access tickets starting October 13, while the general public could obtain tickets starting October 20.
How much are tickets?
ZooLights tickets are $5 nightly from Tuesday through Sunday. ZooLights will once again offer free admission on Mondays but tickets will still be required.
More information can be found at lpzoo.org.
5. Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo isn’t the only light show at a formidable Illinois zoo this winter. Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo will host its 42nd Holiday Magic at its 216-acre zoo grounds starting Friday, November 25!
Said to be Chicagoland’s most significant and longest-running lights festival, Holiday Magic will feature over two million twinkling LED lights and many awe-inspiring decorations across the park.
This year, a collection of new and old holiday traditions will occur at Brookfield Zoo. The 600-foot Tunnel of Lights, Game of Gnomes, 20-foot-lit orb, and skating rink will all return along with the many photo ops, Christmas activities, and the 2-mile stretch named Sea of Lights that debuted last year.
What are the dates?
🗓️ Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic will run from Friday, November 24, 2023, to Sunday, December 31, 2023, on the following dates:
- November 24-26, 30
- December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are now available at czs.org/holidaymagic.
How much are tickets?
- Adults – $29.95
- Children 3-11 – $20.95
- Children under 3 – Free
- Seniors 65 and over– $24.95
More information can be found at czs.org.
6. Sparkle Light Festival at Rosemont’s Impact Field
Taking place at Rosemont’s Impact Field is the returning Sparkle Light Festival, which debuted last year. Guests are invited to explore the Christmas lights in Chicago, which take place in five illuminated villages: the Frozen Forest, Snowflake Circle, Winter Wonderland, the North Pole, and Deck the Walls, an all-ages maze of lights.
A children’s maze and free train rides on the “Holly Trolly” will offer families plenty of fun for younger children while additional attractions, including winter tubing, offer a little more adrenaline for those looking for some winter thrills! A special menu of festive food and beverage options will also be available.
What are the dates?
🗓️ Sparkle Light Festival will run from Friday, November 17, 2023, to Sunday, December 31, 2023.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are now available and can be purchased at sparklerosemont.com/tickets.
How much are tickets?
- Adult Admission (13 & up) – $24.00
- Child Admission (2-12) – $18.00
- Children under 3 – Free
More information can be found at sparklerosemont.com.