Best Drive-Thru Light Shows in Chicago
[Last updated in December 2024]
Enjoy dazzling lights in the comfort of your own car.
Don’t worry, for those that can’t bare the cold, there are many drive thru options you can do to experience the beautiful lights. So roll up those windows and turn up the radio to listen along to holiday songs while driving through these dazzling drive-thru light displays!
Willow Hill Lights, Northbrook
Photo Courtesy of Willow Hill’s Winter Magic via timeout.com
Willow Hill Lights
November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025
In its 4th year, Willow Hill Lights is a 2.5 mile route through the Willow Hills Golf Course in Northbrook. Drive through tunnels and a 30 ft Christmas tree, alongside Rudolph and his friends, the abominable snowman and other holiday favorites!
Santa’s Rock n Lights, Geneva
Photo via santasrocknlights.com
Santa’s Rock n Lights
November 22-December 31, 2024
Taking place at the Kane County Cougars stadium in Geneva, Santa’s Rock n Lights is Chicago’s longest running drive thru light show synchronized to music. With a large variety of displays, you will drive through 1 mile of lights, including 1000 ft of dancing light tunnels and larger than life 3D light sculptures.
Six Flags Arctic Adventure, Gurnee
CLOSED FOR 2024 / COMING BACK IN 2025
Photo via facebook.com
Six Flags Arctic Adventure
Coming back in 2025
Produced by World of Illumination, Arctic Adventure will take you through the Six Flags Great America parking lot, hosted by Beti the Yeti. On select nights, you can go inside the park for the Carousel Lights & Market event, where there will be delicious holiday treats to enjoy, photo ops and festive decorations in Carousel Plaza and Orleans Place.
Goebbert’s Drive Thru Light Show, Pingree Grove
Photo via goebberts.com
Goebbert’s Drive Thru Light Show
November 28, 2024-January 5, 2025
The Drive Thru Light Show at Goebbert’s Farm takes about 15 minutes to get through. Visitors will venture through the farm’s apple orchard to see the lights and listen to the synchronized music.
Special Combo Ticket Nights available for both the Goebbert’s Drive Thru Light Show and Larsen’s Light Show on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Larsen’s Light Show, Pingree Grove
Photo via goebberts.com
Larsen’s Light Show
November 28, 2024-January 5, 2025
Technically not a drive-thru, Larsen’s Light Show is a drive-in and park experience. Also located at Goebbert’s Farm, the show is a glorified display of Brian Larsen’s award-winning light show previously done at his home. Visitors will be guided to a specific car lane to park and watch the 30 mins, 100 ft wide house display, illuminated with stunning lights.
Special Combo Ticket Nights available for both the Goebbert’s Drive Thru Light Show and Larsen’s Light Show on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Magical Christmas Drive-Thru, East Dundee
Photo via santasvillagedundee.com
Magical Christmas Drive-Thru
November 29-December 29, 2024
This drive-thru experience ventures past the parking lot and into Santa’s Village amusement park! After you enjoy looking at all the dazzling displays, you can park your car at the end of the route and visit Santa, take photos, eat delicious funnel cakes and hot chocolate, and ride the snowless tube slide.
Aurora Festival of Lights
Photo via enjoyillinois.com
Aurora Festival of Lights
November 29-December 29, 2024
The largest FREE drive-thru holiday light show returns for its 17th year at Phillips Park in Aurora. The mile long show drives along lighted displays such as jumping reindeer, ice skating bears and fields of gigantic snowflakes.
Light of Christmas Drive Thru, Chicago
Photo via lightofchristmas.com
Light of Christmas Drive Thru
November 21, 2024-January 5, 2025
Chicago’s only drive-thru Christmas light show! Driving through Guaranteed Rate Field, you’ll be venturing under enchanting archways and luminous display installations, all synchronized to fun holidays classics.
Christmas Carnival of Lights, Caledonia WI
Photo via jsonline.com
Christmas Carnival of Lights
November 23-December 31, 2024
Technically not part of Chicago anymore, but this one is definitely worth the drive. Wind your way through the campground at Jellystone Park™ in the comfort of your own car OR take a ride on Santa’s giant sleigh OR take a ride in the Golf Cart Holiday Train! That’s right - there are 3 different ways to enjoy these dazzling light displays. There is also Santa’s workshop where there are gifts & goodies, like hot cocoa, soft serve ice cream, specialty gift items and of course a visit with Santa.
BONUS!
Sometimes the best light shows are the ones that your neighbor does at their own home. There is no hassle of waiting in line and the best part is it’s all FREE! Thanks to @LightsonRevere, there is a wonderful interactive map that shows all the residential light displays in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Kendall, Grundy and DeKalb counties!
Suburban Chicago Christmas Light Map
Plan your destinations and don’t forget to visit @LightsonRevere’s own light show at 45 Revere Drive, South Barrington.
Which drive-thru light shows have you been to? Let me know in the comments!
‘Tis the season for holiday markets and festive decor! But even better if you pair that with a local farm that sells fresh produce, baked goods or Christmas trees, or has a petting and feeding zoo.