Discover The Best Holiday Light Displays In Northern Illinois Now!

Ready to hit the road with a mug of hot chocolate in hand and soak in the dazzling holiday lights of northern Illinois? Well, buckle up, because you’re in for a treat.

Holiday Light Display Tour

Northern Illinois is practically overflowing with spots where you can admire the twinkling brilliance of the season. After you’ve cruised through all your favorite neighborhoods to catch the glowing charm of decorated homes, it’s time to kick things up a notch.

From parks and zoos to rivers, gardens, and arboretums, northern Illinois offers plenty of places where the holiday spirit really shines. Trust me, having visited every single one of these light displays, I can assure you – they are nothing short of spectacular.

Anderson Gardens Illuminated 2024

An absolutely mesmerizing walk through one of the highest-quality Japanese gardens in North America, Anderson Gardens in Rockford.

Illuminated at Anderson Gardens runs December 7 Through January 5.

Click HERE for details and tickets.

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All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens

It is hard to imagine the kind of meticulous planning that must go into constructing a light display like the All Aglow outdoor holiday light show at Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens in Rockford. All Aglow runs from November 30 through January 6.

Rockford Park District - Photo by Jesse Fox

Rockford Park District-Photo by Tom Doherty

Rockford Park District - Photo by Madeline Appino

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo 2024

This event has been a Chicagoland tradition for thousands of families for 30 years. From November 15 through January 5. The zoo plans many different activities throughout the ZooLights event, so be sure to visit lpzoo.org/event/zoolights/ for details and tickets.

Chicago Botanic Gardens Lightscape

A magical nighttime stroll in the gardens accompanied by,

[...] music, light, fire, and color.

Yes, please. Nothing short of spectacular. #LightscapeChicago is open from November 15 through January 5. You do have to purchase tickets ahead of time. Visit chicagobotanic.org/lightscape for details and tickets.

Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

Some holiday light displays create an entirely new level of awe, this is one of those displays. Illumination begins November 15 and runs through January 5.

Watch this short Instagram video below and you'll see what I mean.

LOOK: 25 over-the-top Christmas displays from across America

To help get everyone in the mood for the upcoming holiday season, Stacker compiled a list of some of the most over-the-top Christmas displays across America.

Gallery Credit: Annalise Mantz & Madison Troyer

LOOK: What Christmas was like the year you were born

To see how Christmas has changed over the last century, Stacker explored how popular traditions, like food and decorations, emerged and evolved from 1920 to 2021 in the U.S. and around the world.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

Source: 5 Stunning Christmas Light Shows in Illinois You Must See

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