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Christmas Lights in Alton, IL
The top places to see Christmas lights in Alton this season are Way of Lights (Nov 20 – Dec 31), Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch (Nov 21 – Dec 26) and Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (Nov 14 – Jan 2). We've mapped 1 display in Alton and 14 more nearby (4 drive-thrus, 4 events, 3 neighborhoods). 10 are free. 4 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 11, 2026
Near Alton (within 25 miles)
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Alton? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Alton: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Alton?
Popular picks this season include Way of Lights (Nov 20 – Dec 31), Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch (Nov 21 – Dec 26), Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (Nov 14 – Jan 2) and Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo (Nov 27 – Dec 30). In all, 15 displays are mapped in and around Alton, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Alton?
Free options include Way of Lights, Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo, Winterfest at Kiener Plaza and Dutchtown Bells Holiday Light Show. 10 of the 15 displays near Alton are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Alton?
Yes. Way of Lights (Free to drive through; donations accepted), Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park (From about $20 per vehicle last year; confirm 2026) and WonderLight's Christmas ($35 per car; $50 limos and activity vans; $100 buses and RVs). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
Are there Christmas lights synced to music in Alton?
Yes. Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch, WonderLight's Christmas (tune to 89.5 FM) and Dutchtown Bells Holiday Light Show. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.
When do Christmas lights start in Alton?
The earliest Alton-area displays turn on Nov 13, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
Want your house to look like this?
Professional Christmas light installers in Alton hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.
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