This holiday season bring your family “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” at a magical walk-through Christmas light show near Chicago. We love to embrace all this whimsical season has to offer and bundle up our three kids and bring them outside to see holiday lights.
These walk through displays are the perfect way to enjoy the lights, as you wander through the snow fallen paths. Plan in advance for the ticketed events, or pack up the kids for a last minute excursion in a free public park display.
We have walk through lights displays in the Chicago suburbs to last you all season. Grab your winter gear, make some hot cocoa, and bring hand warmers. It might be cold outside, but these Christmas light walk through displays will leave a warm memory for your family!
This article is sponsored by Sparkle Light Festival and Sonny Acres Farm.
If you are interested in incredible drive-through lights hosted by organizations and businesses or amazing residential lights with driving routes, click on the buttons below.
20 Best Walk Through Christmas Lights
We divided this section into walk through light festivals that charge a fee (advanced tickets are required) and walk through lights displays that are created by municipalities and free to the public, such as parks and downtown areas that you can explore and enjoy without needing a ticket.
Walk-Through Christmas Light Show Attractions in Chicago + Suburbs
The following Chicagoland walk through lights displays require tickets to be admitted. Remember to purchase tickets in advance to secure your date and time preferences.
Sparkle Light Festival
Sparkle Light Festival
Impact Field
9850 Balmoral Avenue
Rosemont, IL 60018
Website | Facebook | Instagram
November 17 – December 31, 2023
Discover the ultimate holiday destination with Sparkle Light Festival at Impact Field in Rosemont! Open November 17 through December 31, immerse yourself in millions of sparkling lights as you stroll through illuminated villages with custom holiday features. Visit Santa Claus, ice-skate with friends, enjoy free train rides on the βHolly Trollyβ train, go tubing down the Alpine Slide, and more! Bundle up and indulge in festive food and drink as you experience the areaβs premier outdoor light festival. For tickets and more information visitΒ SparkleRosemont.com!
Sonny Acres Farm’s Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival
Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival
Sonny Acres Farm
29W310 North Avenue
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 231-3859
WebsiteΒ |Β FacebookΒ |Β Instagram
November 17 – December 31, 2023
Immerse yourself in holiday joy at Sonny Acres Farm’s Christmas Lights Show! Stroll through dazzling Christmas lights display at their Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival. Experience the festive ambiance with a million twinkling lights synchronized to your favorite holiday tunes. Enjoy delicious food and delightful treats along the way. Capture the yuletide spirit with unique seasonal photo ops, including a Christmas Story House replica featuring the iconic βleg lamp.β Make lasting memories with your favorite people during this magical time of the year. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
While you are there, you can also enjoy the Christmas Market and photos with Santa! Sip on hot cocoa as you browse through over 20 crafters and maker vendors offering handmade candles, jewelry, winter apparel, blankets, accessories, Christmas ornaments, soaps, and more. Indulge your taste buds with delicious treats from our food vendors. Visit with Santa and a professional photographer will be there to capture the joy, and you can purchase prints on-site to treasure those moments forever.
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield)
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
November 24-26, November 30, December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31, 2023 | 3:00pm β 9:00pm
Advance reservations are required for South Gate entry, but not North Gate entry. Holiday Magic includes a 41-foot lit tree, more than two million LED lights, 600-foot-long tunnel synchronized to music. Katie and Annie have all the tips and tricks for Holiday Magic here. Admission for non-members starts at $29.95 for adults, $20.95 for children 3-11 years old, $24.95 for seniors 65+, and $15.18 for parking.
Light up the Lake at Navy Pier (Chicago)
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier, Chicago
November 24 – December 31, 2023 | 12:00pm β 9:30pm
This year for Light Up the Lake, Navy Pier has created a re-imagined experience both indoor and outdoor. There is a large outdoor ice skating rink, axe throwing, and options to ride the centennial wheel. Tickets start at $15 to ride the Centennial wheel, $10 for axe throwing, and $20 for ice skating. To bundle all three together, the cost is $37.50.
Lincoln Park ZooLights (Chicago)
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago
Select dates November 17, 2023 β January 7, 2024 | 4:00pm β 10:00pm
This yearβs ZooLights will again feature hundreds of luminous LED displays, thousands of lights, and seasonal experiences. Tickets are $7-$10 per person and Free Admission Mondays. Tickets are already available! There is also a Sensory Friendly Night on December 3, 2023 in which all lights are static.
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
Chicago Botanic Garden Lightscape, Glencoe
November 10, 2023 β January 7, 2024
Walk down a path through thousands of twinkling lights, such as the iconic Cathedral of Light that Lightscape is known for. Hours are 4:30pm β 11:00pm (last entry at 9:15 p.m.) on select dates. Tickets are $34 for adults (non-member), $19 for children ages 3-12 years old. Flex tickets and VIP passes are also available.
Kohlights at Kohl Childrenβs Museum (Glenview)
Kohlights at Kohl Childrenβs Museum, Glenview
November 24-26, December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 2023
Kids can interact with light and color using glow stick learning wands at this lights display. Tickets cost $37 members receive a $15 discount.
Illumination at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle
November 18, 2023 β January 6, 2024
Walk along a one-mile path with festive music and lighting effects. Tickets range from $16-$37.75 for non-members, depending on the date and other available discounts. Members receive a 20% discount on tickets.
Christmas at Cantigny (Wheaton)
Christmas at Cantigny
December 1 – 23, 2023 | 4:30pm – 9:00pm
For the first time since 2020, the McCormick house is opening to visitors and is festively decorated. Cantigny has created a lights show as you walk through the grounds and gardens. Tickets range from $10 per car plus admission tickets that cost $15 per adult and $5 per child over 3. Cantigny also offers an ice skating rink with admission of $7 with a $3 skate rental fee, if applicable.
Jack Frost Christmas Holiday Pop-Up
Jack Frost Christmas Holiday Pop-Up
November 24 – December 31, 2023
Besides lights and photo opportunities, there is also ice skating, axe throwing, boozy hot cocoa and seasonal Christmas cocktails, and winter bumper cars. Tickets range from $15-36 per person depending on which activities you would like to do.
Free Walk-Through Christmas Lights in Parks and Downtown Areas in the Chicago Suburbs (Free)
The following Chicago suburban towns have special lights displays to walk through that are free to the public.
Holiday Display (Arlington Heights)
Holiday Display
December 1, 2023 – January 7, 2024 | opens at dusk daily
With over 90,000 lights, North School Park in Arlington Heights is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. This display’s theme is children’s toys and it has some interactive displays you can climb on for photo ops!
Festival of Lights at Old Town Park (Bloomingdale)
Festival of Lights at Old Town Park, Bloomingdale
December 1-31, 2022 | after dusk
Pedestrians are treated to a sparkling display of holiday lights and sights in Old Town Park. Walk through the lights and enjoy the festivities. Visit the Museum throughout the Festival of Lights for its annual holiday show.
Holiday Magic in Motion (Bolingbrook Promenade)
Holiday Magic in Motion
November 12, 2023 – January 7, 2024
As you scroll through the Bolingbrook Promenade, you will be entranced with twinkle lights and eleven illuminated displays throughout the shopping center. Stop by each magical item and scan the QR code for an augmented reality experience! Don’t forget to bring your phone to participate the the augmented reality experiences. No app is required.
Winter Wonderland (Itasca)
Winter Wonderland at Usher Park
November 26 – December 31, 2023 | starting at dusk
Walk through the magic this holiday season as Usher Park is filled with thousands of twinkling lights and large displays.
Lilacia Park (Lombard)
Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park in Lombard
December 2, 2023 β January 1, 2024 | 4:30pm β 10:00pm
Walk through the park with light shows, tree decorations, a gingerbread house, and more every day of the week. Check their website for opportunities to visit Santa, Mrs. Claus, and even have a magical Polar Express night.
Naper Lights (Naperville)
Naper Lights, Naperville
Thanksgiving β New Yearβs Day | 4:00pm β 10:00pm
Walk down Water Street to see the whole street dancing to the music, ending in the display at Jaycees Park, then cross a lit-up covered bridge to take in a synchronized light show with singing Christmas trees from your vantage point across the river. There are displays set to music, singing faces made from lights, and a gigantic lit up tree with presents surrounding it, made possible by Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise.
Winter Lights at Central Park (Oak Brook)
Winter Lights at Central Park, Oak Brook
November 23, 2023 β January 7, 2024 | 4:30pm β 9:30pm
The 1/2 mile paved path loop at Central Park is accessible to all and filled with light displays. Free for the community to attend and no reservations required. Photo opportunities throughout the lights display.
Nights of Lights in Adams Park (Wheaton)
Nights of Lights at Adams Park, Wheaton
November 24, 2023 β January 7, 2024 | 4:30pm β 11:00pm
The City of Wheaton provides this display of over 55,000 bulbs lighting the trees and an animated light display at the fountain. Free to the public, no tickets required.
Festival of Lights at Cosley Zoo (Wheaton)
Festival of Lights at Cosley Zoo, Wheaton
November 24 β December 31, 2023 | 3:00pm β 9:00pm
Cosley Zoo is lit by more than 20,000 lights during the zooβs Festival of Lights and Tree Sales, an annual celebration of the holidays. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. While zoo admission is free during the Festival of Lights and Tree Sales, donations are appreciated. Hot chocolate will be sold at the Coyote Cafe concession stand.
The Arboretum of South Barrington
add this for 2024
Scott Street Subdivision (Rosemont)
Please note that if you would like to walk around, parking is available at Lange Park District (6140 Scott Street) or the Rosemont Health and Fitness (10225 Higgins Road). However, no public bathrooms are available.
If you are interested in incredible drive-through lights hosted by organizations and businesses or amazing residential lights with driving routes, click on the buttons below.
