Christmas Lights in Chicago 2022 (Interactive Map)

Kristy Pepping said:  These homeowners nicknamed their house, "The Believe House" and it sure will make you believe in holiday magic! On your drive-by you'll see Santa, the largest Elf on the Shelf and thousands of twinkling lights. Each year they try to add to their traditional static display, including pieces they've made by hand over the years!

4:30pm-10:30pm

Kristy Pepping said:  Holiday Magic is one of Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festivals with over two million twinkling LED lights. Along with the light displays - including a 600-foot Tunnel of Lights - families can also enjoy a 41-foot talking tree, skating rink (for an additional fee), photo ops and more.

3pm-9pm

Kristy Pepping said:  Explore 50 acres of the Arboretum’s majestic trees during this one-of-a-kind spectacle of color, light, and sound.

Brigitte Nohra Miller said:  This annual display from one of Chicago's must-see museums for kids explores rich holiday traditions from around the globe. There are over 50 trees and displays representing a variety cultures and traditions, including a 45-foot-tall, floor-to-ceiling Grand Tree twinkling with more than 30,000 lights.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you've grown up in the Chicagoland area, you may have visited this Santa-themed amusement park as a kid. This holiday season, you can also enjoy a one-of-a-kind drive thru experience with over 2 million lights set to music, festive displays, live animals, and of course, the big man himself! At the end of the trail you can park your car to take photos, and enjoy hot chocolate and yummy funnel cakes for purchase.

Kristy Pepping said:  ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo is definitely one of the most popular things to do for Christmas in Chicago, with luminous displays and holiday activities throughout the zoo grounds, including photos with Santa through December 23. Families will enjoy 3D displays, holiday snacks (including festive adult beverages!), gift shopping and ticketed experiences including a light maze, Ferris wheel, carousel and Lionel Train Adventure.

Kristy Pepping said:  This annual Christmas lights show boasts a lighted route that is approximately 1.8 miles with more than 80 lighted displays. The entrance to Mooseheart is on IL Route 31, two miles north of I-88 marked by a flashing yellow warning light.

5-9 pm, nightly

Kristy Pepping said:  Downtown Naperville is converted into a holiday lights extravaganza with lighted trees, large holiday-themed figures and a combination of other holiday displays. Visit Naper Lights to get your 3D Viewing glasses to enjoy the full effect of these spectacular Christmas lights in Naperville! Whether permitting, you can also take a picture with Santa by the great tree on Fridays and Saturday evenings.

4pm-10pm

Yoli B said:  This annual festival in downtown Chicago kicks off the holiday season in style with family activities throughout the day, including photos with Santa Claus. The main event is an epic tree-lighting parade down North Michigan Avenue, led by Grand Marshals Mickey & Minnie Mouse and featuring awesome floats, gigantic helium balloons, marching bands, musical performances, Santa Claus, and more, all helping to light up The Mag Mile with more than a million twinkling lights.