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Christmas Lights in Elmhurst, IL

The top places to see Christmas lights in Elmhurst this season are Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Nov 14 – Jan 2), Winter Lights at Central Park (Nov 20 – Jan 3) and Santa's Rock N Lights - Geneva (Nov 20 – Jan 2). We've mapped 2 displays in Elmhurst and 39 more nearby (14 home displays, 7 walk-thrus, 5 events). 26 are free. 24 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.

Updated Nov 12, 2026

Mathias Family Christmas Spectacular

Home display · Elmhurst, IL · Free

Music

Olaf's Winter Spectacular

Home display · Elmhurst, IL · Free

Music

Near Elmhurst (within 25 miles)

Winter Lights at Central Park

Walk-thru · Oak Brook, IL · Free (donations accepted)

Opens soon

3.3 miNov 20 – Jan 3

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Event · Brookfield, IL · Varies; about $21-$35 incl. parking in 2025

Opens soon Music

6.3 miNov 21 – Jan 3

Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

Walk-thru · Lisle, IL · Timed tickets; varies by day

Opens soon Music

7.7 miNov 14 – Jan 2

Santa's Rock N Lights - Chicago

Drive-thru · Chicago, IL · $24.99-$34.99 per vehicle

Opens soon

14 miNov 22 – Dec 28

Naper Lights

Event · Naperville, IL · Free (donations accepted)

Opens soon Music

14 miNov 26 – Jan 1

Wintrust Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier

Event · Chicago, IL · Ticketed; about $25 in 2025 ($35 with skating)

Opens soon

15 miNov 27 – Jan 3

Kohlights at Kohl Children's Museum

Walk-thru · Glenview, IL · From $18 (members $15; under 12 months free)

Opens soon

16 miNov 27 – Dec 20

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Event · Chicago, IL · $7-$12 timed advance ticket, $20 day-of; free Mondays with reservation

Opens soon Music

16 miNov 20 – Jan 3

City of Chicago Christmas Tree (Millennium Park)

Tree lighting · Chicago, IL · Free

Opens soon Music

16 miNov 20 – Jan 10

Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Parade · Chicago, IL · Free

Opens soon Music

16 miNov 21 – Nov 21

Willow Hill Lights

Drive-thru · Northbrook, IL · $40 per standard vehicle

Opens soon Music

17 miNov 13 – Jan 3

Santa's Rock N Lights - Geneva

Drive-thru · Geneva, IL · From $34.99 per vehicle

Opens soon Music

18 miNov 20 – Jan 2

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden

Walk-thru · Glencoe, IL · Timed tickets; varies by date and age

Opens soon Music

20 miNov 13 – Jan 3

Oswego Lights

Home display · Oswego, IL · Free

Music

22 mi

Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park

Walk-thru · Lombard, IL · Free

4.2 mi

Lights on Dawn

Home display · Countryside, IL · Free

Music

8.2 mi

Sandberg Christmas Display

Home display · Elk Grove Village, IL · Free

Music

8.3 mi

Wheaton Venetian Lights

Home display · Wheaton, IL · Free

Music

8.5 mi

Cosley Zoo Festival of Lights

Walk-thru · Wheaton, IL · Free (donations appreciated)

9.4 mi

Candy Cane Canyon Trail

Home display · Carol Stream, IL · Free

Music

10 mi

Pensacola Avenue (4800 block W), Portage Park

Neighborhood · Chicago, IL · Free

11 mi

Christmas at Cantigny

Drive-thru · Wheaton, IL · $15.99-$30.99 (2025)

12 mi

Whispering Lights

Home display · Naperville, IL · Free

Music

14 mi

Candy Cane Lane (Sauganash / Edgebrook)

Neighborhood · Chicago, IL · Free

15 mi

Art on theMART

Light show · Chicago, IL · Free

Music

16 mi

Light of Christmas Drive-Thru at Rate Field

Drive-thru · Chicago, IL · From $29.99 per carload (2025)

Music

16 mi

Mount Greenwood synchronized light show

Home display · Chicago, IL · Free

Music

18 mi
18 mi

Candy Cane Lane (Crestwood)

Neighborhood · Crestwood, IL · Free

Music

19 mi

Elgin Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Tree lighting · Elgin, IL · Free

21 mi

Aurora Festival of Lights at Phillips Park

Walk-thru · Aurora, IL · Free (donations accepted)

21 mi

Lockport Santa Event and Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · Lockport, IL

21 mi

Mays Family Light Show

Home display · South Elgin, IL

21 mi

The Angelic Christmas Spectacular

Home display · Elgin, IL

Music

22 mi

Alpine Village House

Home display · Tinley Park, IL · Free (benefits the Salvation Army)

23 mi

Kaminski Holiday Light Show

Home display · Tinley Park, IL · Free

Music

23 mi

Lights on Sienna

Home display · Elgin, IL

Music

23 mi

Grinchmas on the Green

Tree lighting · Plainfield, IL · Free cocoa and cookies at 4:30 pm

23 mi

Crest Hill Winterfest

Parade · Crest Hill, IL

24 mi

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 Elmhurst? Add it free.

Christmas lights in Elmhurst: common questions

What are the best Christmas lights in Elmhurst?

Popular picks this season include Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Nov 14 – Jan 2), Winter Lights at Central Park (Nov 20 – Jan 3), Santa's Rock N Lights - Geneva (Nov 20 – Jan 2) and Santa's Rock N Lights - Chicago (Nov 22 – Dec 28). In all, 41 displays are mapped in and around Elmhurst, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.

Where can I see free Christmas lights in Elmhurst?

Free options include Winter Lights at Central Park, Kohlights at Kohl Children's Museum, Naper Lights and ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo. 26 of the 41 displays near Elmhurst are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.

Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Elmhurst?

Yes. Santa's Rock N Lights - Geneva (From $34.99 per vehicle), Santa's Rock N Lights - Chicago ($24.99-$34.99 per vehicle) and Willow Hill Lights ($40 per standard vehicle). 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 Elmhurst?

Yes. Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, Santa's Rock N Lights - Geneva and Willow Hill Lights. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.

When do Christmas lights start in Elmhurst?

The earliest Elmhurst-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 Elmhurst 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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