The holidays are almost upon us in Chicago, and soon enough, the city will transform into a glimmering sea of festive lights. The Windy City has no shortage of spectacular light shows planned for the holiday season, and with so many to choose from, you might not know where to begin. Don’t worry; we’ve narrowed it down for you. Here are some of the biggest and brightest Christmas light shows in Chicago this season!
Taylor Swift-Themed Christmas House Returns with TTPD Decorations
One of the most magical Christmas light shows in Chicago is this Taylor Swift-inspired Christmas house in Naperville, now featuring decorations themed around her latest album, “The Tortured Poet’s Department.” This enchanting display includes a large typewriter model, a dog-shaped figure referencing “The Black Dog,” and a cardboard cutout of Travis Kelce in a tuxedo. The house continues its tradition of representing all of Swift’s eras in holiday fashion, making it a must-visit attraction for Swifties and Christmas enthusiasts alike.
📍 Location: Naperville, Illinois
🗓️ Dates: Daily from 4:30 PM to 11 PM
Step into the holiday magic at Winterland, one of Chicago’s must-see Christmas light shows
Capture holiday memories at the new Winterland experience at Navy Pier, opening this November! Get ready for snow globes, a Polar Express train, giant Nutcrackers, frozen icicle walkways, and so much more from November 21, 2024—January 5, 2025! High-tech projections and magical lights will surround you in this joyful experience that’s fun for all ages. Don’t miss out–it’s sure to be one of the Christmas light shows in Chicago to add to your bucket list this year.
Learn more here and grab your tickets now! – Melissa Maynard
📍 Location: Navy Pier
🗓️ Dates: November 21, 2024—January 5, 2025
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Chicago’s beloved Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is one of the first holiday light shows in Chicago you’ll want to secure tickets for. The immersive holiday light experience returns on Saturday, November 16, 2024, and will run through Saturday, January 4, 2025.
For its 12th edition, the popular experience will feature 17 unique displays accompanied by music 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 is back this year, taking place from 9:30 to 11 p.m. on select dates, with a new curated house music set synchronized to the light displays.
📍 Location: The Morton Arboretum
🗓️ Dates: November 16, 2024, through Saturday, January 4, 2025.
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden’s best-selling Lightscape event is back this holiday season from Friday, November 15, 2024, to Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Teaming up with renowned local and international artists, Lightscape offers visitors one of the most electrifying Christmas light shows in Chicago—it’s a must-do winter activity.
This year, guests will find a new-and-improved experience adorned with favorites 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.
📍 Location: Chicago Botanic Garden
🗓️ Dates: Friday, November 15, 2024, to Sunday, January 5, 2025
Lincoln Park Zoolights
Lincoln Park Zoo’s beloved ZooLights celebration is back for its 30th year, running from November 15 through January 5, and remains one of the most cherished Christmas light shows in Chicago.
The dazzling holiday tradition features over 3 million lights, hundreds of LED displays, and exciting new attractions. Visitors can enjoy the new “Light Lounge,” ride a 65-foot Ferris wheel, decorate cookies, and warm up with festive drinks at Snowy’s Spirits & S’more pop-up bar.
Special events include sensory-friendly nights and free admission on select Mondays.
📍 Location: Lincoln Park Zoo
🗓️ Dates: November 15 through January 5
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo isn’t the only light show at an 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 Sea of Lights attraction.
📍 Location: Brookfield Zoo
🗓️ Dates: November 22-24, 29-30 and December 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-31, 2024
The BMO Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Chicago’s annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival marks the beginning of the holiday season with a day-long celebration on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
The event features the kid-friendly Lights Festival Lane and a grand tree-lighting parade in the evening. The parade illuminates more than 200 trees along Michigan Avenue and concludes with a spectacular fireworks display over the Chicago River.
This free event is a beloved Chicago tradition that has been running for over 30 years.
📍 Location: Magnificent Mile
🗓️ Dates: Saturday, November 23, 2024.