One of the best parts of the holiday season is getting to see sparkling lights wherever we go—whether we’re out for a walk or taking a drive.
The Aurora Festival of Lights bills itself as the region’s largest free outdoor drive-through holiday light display, and it’s about an hour’s drive from Chicago.
Returning for its 20th year, the festival invites visitors to enjoy a mile-long route of festive displays from the comfort of their cars, with holiday songs playing on a closed-circuit radio station.
Look for jumping reindeer, ice-skating bears, Old Man Winter, howling wolves, the Holiday Golfer, Santa’s Toy Factory, and fields of gigantic snowflakes, plus new displays.
When does the Aurora Festival of Lights open?
The festival runs nightly from Friday, November 27, through Sunday, December 27, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
It takes place at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora. The route entrance is at Smith Boulevard and Fifth Avenue.
How much does it cost?
Admission is free.
