LOCATION:  Batavia Riverwalk

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DATE:   December 1, 2024 from  5pm - 7pm

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DETAILS:   Experience the magic of Batavia with your family and friends! Stroll Christmas Tree Lane, featuring 25 holiday trees decorated by local organizations and businesses, and enjoy all the festive bright lights and sounds of the holiday season. Festival activities include the Mayor's tree lighting ceremony, free hayrides with a food donation to the Batavia Food Pantry, a community sing-a-long, a performance by The Batavia Community Band, a story hour, holiday craft activities and a family photo opportunity with Santa! The Depot Museum also will be hosting a special exhibit celebrating Batavians' holiday traditions.

 

FEE:   FREE!

LOCATION:  Peck Farm, Geneva

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DATES: December 14 - January 1, 2025 from 5-10pm

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DETAILS:  Bring your family and friends to Peck Farm Park starting December 14 to take in the beautiful holiday lights at Peck Farm Park. Lights will remain on daily from December 14-January 1 from 5-10pm. Visitors can stroll through the illuminated pathways, and take in the twinkling splendor. No registration or fees required to walk the Winter Wonder Lights.

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FEE:  FREE!

LOCATION:  Santa's Village, 601 Dundee Ave, East Dundee

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DATES:   November 29 - December 29, 2024  5pm - 9pm (select nights are open until 10pm)

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DETAILS:   Begin your holiday season with a one-of-a-kind, drive-thru experience at Santa’s Village. Santa’s helpers have been busy transforming our park into a festive winter wonderland. Enjoy over 2 million lights synchronized to holiday music, dazzling displays, live animals, and Santa, himself, as you drive through our park, all from the comfort of your car. Socially safe and set up for any weather. At the end of your drive-thru experience, you’ll be able to purchase funnel cakes and hot chocolate while taking in the breathtaking view of our park.

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*Santa Visits will run thru December 23rd ONLY*

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FEE:   $35 per vehicle advanced purchase ($25 for season pass holders)

*** MUST BUY TICKET ONLINE PRIOR TO SHOWING UP***

LOCATION:  1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora

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DATES:   Daily, November 24 - December 25,   5pm - 9pm

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DETAILS:   The Aurora Festival of Lights –the largest free outdoor drive-through holiday light display in the region - returns for its 17th year with dazzling displays and merry music that will delight children and adults. Visitors will enjoy a mile of spectacular lighted displays from the comfort of the car while listening to holiday songs on a closed-circuit radio station. This popular free holiday drive-thru features crowd-favorite displays like jumping reindeer, ice skating bears, old man winter, howling wolves, the holiday golfer, Santa’s toy factory, and fields of gigantic snowflakes, along with new displays.

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FEE:   Admission is free, but visitors must register for an entry ticket HERE!

LOCATION:  Downer Place, Aurora 

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DATES:  November 17th, 6:30 pm start time 

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DETAILS:   As the City of Aurora's official kick-off to the holiday season, this free family-friendly event will be filled with merry-making moments and a sleigh full of fun for the entire family.

 

Stepping off at 6:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will usher in the holiday season with an illuminated parade filled with reindeer, elves, special guests and other holiday favorites!

 

Following the Parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Mayor Irvin will lead the crowd in a countdown to flip the magic switch and illuminate the City's holiday tree!

 

After the tree lighting, the downtown Aurora sky will be brightened by a grand fireworks display along the banks of the Fox River, sponsored by the Chicago Premium Outlets! 

 

After the fireworks, Stolp Avenue, between Downer Place and Galena Boulevard, will be filled with food vendors, roaming costumed characters, and musical entertainment at Millennium Plaza!

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FEE:  FREE

LOCATION:  Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago

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DATES: Opening Day, November 17th

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DETAILS: 

Mark your calendars for the momentous grand celebration of our ALL-NEW Christmas light show. It’s the most extraordinary holiday kick-off you’ll find in Chicagoland! Featuring millions of dazzling lights and holiday-themed displays that are larger-than-life, sure to delight all.

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Santa will be there to flip the power switch to set the night aglow, it’s a celebration of light and sound that will leave you in wonder!

Visit our Big and Bright Trail of Lights Christmas Festival and lights show, bringing families & friends closer, creating joyful memories.

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FEE:  Free entry, activites are additional.

LOCATION:  Cosley Zoo, 1356 N Gary Avenue, Wheaton

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DATES: November 24 - December 30, 2024 from 3pm - 9pm on weekdays & 9am-9pm on weekends (except Christmas  Christmas Day & New Year's Day)

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DETAILS:  A winter visit to Cosley Zoo has become a favorite family tradition. Cosley Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, hot chocolate, and a unique assortment of holiday gifts in the Wild Side Gift Shop. All proceeds from this event benefit Cosley Zoo.

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FEE:  FREE, but donations are greatly appreciated.

LOCATION:  Adams Park, 201 N Main St, Wheaton

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DATES: November 24th, 4:30pm

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DETAILS:  Nights of Lights returns to Adams Park for its fourth year! Join us for the park lighting on November 24 at 4:30pm and enjoy this display through the holiday season. Featuring over 55,000 bulbs lighting the trees and an animated light display at the fountain, a walk through Adams Park will “wow” the whole family. Thank you to the City of Wheaton for providing this wonderful display throughout the holiday season. 

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**Night of Lights continues through January 7, 2024.

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FEE:  FREE!

LOCATION:  Jackson & Webster Streets, Downtown Naperville

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DATE:  November 29, 2024 at 7pm

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DETAILS:   The Rotary Club of Naperville is hosting the 2023 Parade of Lights in partnership with the Downtown Naperville Alliance.

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The parade will travel through the heart of downtown Naperville on Friday, November 24th under the beautiful twinkling lights. Distinctly focused on delighting children of all ages, parade goers will enjoy an evening of brightly lit floats, local music performers, home-town parade units, and Santa Claus will appear.

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FEE:  FREE!

Call 630-355-2242

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DATES:  December 1 - 28, 2024 See website for days/times 

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DETAILS:   For the past 29 years, this FAMOUS Trolley Tour has been the tradition of many residents and visitors alike! Let us drive you as we Trolley-la-la-la past many beautifully decorated homes for the Holidays in December while you sit back and enjoy time with your friends and family. A Naperville tradition for 29 years!!! Trolley-la-la-la...la-la-la-la!

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FEE:  $25/person for public tours Monday thru Thursday and $30/person Friday-Sundays

LOCATION:  Morton Arboretum, Lisle 

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DATES:  November 29 & 30, December 6 & 7 and 13 & 14, 2024 fro m8:30-10pm

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DETAILS: 

Enjoy a night out at the Arboretum with a live DJ and a synchronized display of music and lights on three weekends in November and December. Exclusively for adults 18 and older, Electric Illumination is a late-night Illumination experience with musical themes that make each weekend unique.  Hot chocolate, snacks, alcoholic beverages, and s’more kits can be purchased in warm concession tents or enjoyed by crackling bonfires.

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FEE:  $$

LOCATION:  Morton Arboretum, Lisle

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DATES: November 16, 2024 – January 4, 2025  

Time slots from 4:30pm - 9:30pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve + Day, and select Mondays & Tuesdays)

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DETAILS:  Celebrate the holidays and marvel at how light transforms a magnificent landscape at Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum. Exciting features and immersive installations in this festive experience will delight all ages along a path that is fully ADA compliant for guests with limited mobility.

You’ll journey along a 1-mile paved walking path amid festive music and lighting effects that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. You will pass through a woodland that comes alive with sparkling colored lights in the crisp outdoor air. A grove of trees will come alive with color and seem to grow and change before your eyes. Music will be everywhere, lights will make trees dance, and hugs will make a tree light up.

Gather family and friends to explore 50 acres of the Arboretum’s majestic trees and sweeping vistas and experience one of the nation’s most well-known light displays. Warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, or stop in one of the concession tents for a snack and beverage. Enjoy a delicious meal at the Ginkgo Restaurant in the Visitor Center while you view the display’s finale on Meadow Lake. The Arboretum Store will also be open for holiday shopping and seasonal decorating. A special temperature-activated, color-changing ceramic mug will be available for purchase during all Illumination dates.

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FEE:  $11-$27 per ticket

LOCATION:  Downtown East Dundee

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DATE:  December 2nd, 6:30pm

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DETAILS:   Please join us for a magical night along the riverfront for our 2nd Annual Riverside Parade of Lights!

Watch all of the holiday magic come alive as the parade kicks off in West Dundee on S. Lincoln Ave. (just south of N. 6th St.), travel north to, and across, the Main St. bridge in Carpentersville, then south on Washington/Water St. to East Dundee (ending at Railroad St.)

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FEE:  FREE!

LOCATION:  Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield,

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DATES: November 24-26, 30 & December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31 

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DETAILS:  Get ready to visit Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival featuring over two million twinkling LED lights! Save the Date! Advance tickets required for some entries. See website for details.

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Interactive Displays and Lights:
•Holiday Magic Photo Ops: Giant Animals, Tunnel Light Show, Walkthrough Displays & so much more!
•Dance Party at Polar Plaza
•Letters to Santa and Animals

Entertainment from 5-8 p.m. 
•North Pole at The Pavilions featuring:
            •Those Funny Little People
            •Juggling Elves
            •Pictures with Santa (through December 23)
•Roaming Carolers
•Ice Carving at the Nature Stage

Plus Our Attractions:
•Virtual Reality Experiences* (open weather permitting)
•Carousel* (open weather permitting)

*Separate fees apply

Shopping and Festive Food Throughout the Zoo

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FEE:  Adults: $29.95 | Seniors 65 and over: $24.95 | Children 3 to 11: $20.95 | 2 and under are free | Parking is $15.18

LOCATION:  Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olsen Road, Union

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DATES: Saturdays and Sundays, November 24th (Black Friday), 25th, 26th, December 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, and 23rd. Trips take place at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm. (Rides at other times on all dates may be added later based on demand).

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DETAILS:  Embark on a magical 40 minute train ride through the winter countryside with Santa Claus himself! Enjoy a 40-minute train ride for the whole family See and visit with Santa Claus on the train Treats and hot chocolate will be served Gifts will be given to children on Santa’s “good list” Holiday lights display at the boarding area including the biggest and brightest Christmas tree in McHenry County.

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FEE: $25 per person

LOCATION:  Chicago Botanic Gardens , 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe

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DATES: November 10th thru January 7, 2024 (Closed most Mondays, Tuesdays, and select holidays) | 4:30pm - 9:15pm

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DETAILS:  Our acclaimed holiday event returns, with a new path and new light-filled installations created just for the Chicago Botanic Garden. Explore the whimsy of nature in winter through music, light, fire, and color. Featured artistic works will include favorites such as the luminous Winter Cathedral and a reimagined fire garden. Celebrate outside with friends and family at Lightscape, the brightest spot for holiday cheer.

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COST:  $17 - $34 in advance, under 3 are free; parking $15 in advance, $21 upon arrival at event

LOCATION:  First Street Plaza, St. Charles 

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DATE:  November 24th, 5pm

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DETAILS:  Come celebrate the Lighting of the Lights Ceremony while kicking off the holiday season with the community! Even Santa will be there to meet and take pictures with everyone after the event!

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FEE:  FREE!

LOCATION:  Festival Park, Elgin

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DATE:  November 30, 2024 at 5pm

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DETAILS:  Residents and visitors gather at Festival Park (132 S. Grove Ave.) to view the annual tree lighting ceremony where Mayor Kaptain, members of City Council, and Santa turn on the holiday tree lights.

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FEE:  FREE!

LOCATION:  Lincoln Park Zoo , 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago

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DATES:  November 17 – January 7, 2024 | 4:30pm - 10pm *Special sensory-friendly night on November 29th.

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DETAILS:  The most wonderful time of the year deserves the most wonderful event of the year! Celebrate the holidays with ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ. This festive, one-of-a-kind holiday experience offers a merry, family-oriented tradition in the heart of the city. Your visit helps keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and supports our animal care,

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FEE:  Mondays are free, Tuesdays - Sundays, $7 - $10

LOCATION:  Geneva Commons, 602 Commons Drive, Geneva

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DATE:  November 25, 6 - 8pm

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DETAILS:  #GenevaCommons is having our annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on Saturday, November 25th, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. In front of Williams and Sonoma by the Bell Tower. Don't miss the chance to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and Christmas Carolers! In addition, we will be handing out free small toys to the kids! (while supplies last). Join us to celebrate the festive season! 

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FEE:  FREE!

LOCATION:  Deer Crossing Park, 1050 W. Romeo Road, Romeoville

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DATE:  December 1 & 2, 5 -8pm

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DETAILS: 

Friday December 1st
Tree Lighting at 5PM
Join us as we kick off the holiday season and turn on all the dazzling lights. Then stay for the festivities which include:
Character Encounters, Live Reindeer, Ice Carving, Holiday Market, Holiday Train, Food Trucks, Activities, and more!
Photos with Santa (Free for Romeoville Residents - registration required more details coming soon)

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Saturday December 2nd
The Annual Holiday Parade is on Saturday this year! Catch Santa and the parade of decorated vehicles as they spread holiday cheer through the streets and neighborhoods around town. Then join us at the Holiday Lights Festival for Character Encounters, Live Reindeer, Ice Carving, Holiday Market, Holiday Train, Food Trucks, Activities, and more!
Photos with Santa (Free for Romeoville Residents - registration required more details coming soon)

For the latest updates and details go to: https://bit.ly/3POCwga 

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FEE:  FREE!

LOCATION:  Goebbert's Farm, 42W813 Reinking Road, Pingree Grove

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DATE:  November 23 - January 6, 2024

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DETAILS:  DETAILS FOR THE LARSEN’S DRIVE UP SHOW

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Dates:

(Closed Monday & Tuesday until 12/18/23)

Wednesdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm

Thursdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm

Fridays: 5:00pm-11:00pm

Saturdays: 5:00pm-11:00pm

Sundays: 5:00pm-10:00pm

*Last show starts 30 min prior to closing

Tickets: $30 per car

The Drive Up Show runs approximately 30 minutes. The time on your ticket is the START TIME of the show. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your show time.(EX: If your ticket is for the 5:00 show, arrive to the Farm at 4:45 to be parked in time for showtime). Timing is not flexible.

If purchasing tickets to both shows, attend the Drive Up Show first due to the set timing of the show, then head to the Drive Thru Show.

 

DETAILS FOR THE DRIVE-THRU SHOW:

Wednesdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm

Thursdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm

Fridays: 5:00pm-11:00pm

Saturdays: 5:00pm-11:00pm

Sundays: 5:00pm-10:00pm

*Last entry is 30 min prior to closing

Tickets: $25 per car

The Drive Thru Light Show is approximately 15 minutes to drive through the show. There is not a set start time.

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WEDNESDAY SPECIAL:

On Wednesdays only, the Goebbert's Drive Thru Light Show is FREE with the purchase of Larsen's Drive Up Light Show Ticket. The free drive thru is valid on the same night only as the purchased Larsen ticket- Wednesdays only. For guests that want to do both shows for the Wednesday special pricing, purchase ONLY the Larsen Light Show ticket. No additional ticket is needed for the Drive Thru show for guests viewing both shows on the same Wednesday night.

Tickets are nonrefundable/dates are not transferable/all sales final.

*There is no light show at the Goebbert’s South Barrington location*

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FEE:  $30 per car for the Larsen Light Show & $25 per car for the Drive-Thru Show