10 Best Drive-Thru Light Shows in Chicago
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!
Six Flags Arctic Adventure, Gurnee
Photo via World of Illumination
Six Flags Arctic Adventure
November 17-December 31, 2023
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.
Santa’s Rock n Lights, Grayslake
Photo via Santa’s Rock n Lights
Santa’s Rock n Lights
November 17-December 31, 2023
Taking place at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, 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.
Willow Hill Lights, Northbrook
Photo via Willow Hill’s Winter Magic
Willow Hill Lights
November 17, 2023-January 6, 2024
In its 3rd 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!
Goebbert’s Drive Thru Light Show, Pingree Grove
Photo via Goebbert’s Farm
Goebbert’s Drive Thru Light Show
November 23-January 6, 2023
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.
Larsen’s Light Show, Pingree Grove
Photo via Larsen Christmas Lights Show Facebook page
Larsen’s Light Show
November 23-January 6, 2023
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.
Magical Christmas Drive Thru, East Dundee
Photo via Santa’s Village
Magical Christmas Drive Thru
November 24-December 23, 2023
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.
Festival of Lights, Aurora
Photo via Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Festival of Lights
November 24-December 25, 2023
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 Light of Christmas Drive Thru
Light of Christmas Drive Thru
November 20, 2023-January 3, 2024
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.
Shine Light Show, Schaumburg & Northbrook
Shine Light Show
2023/24 Dates & Times not yet announced
Sadly, there is no info out yet about this popular light show, which makes most of us question if it’s coming back for the 2023/24 holiday season. We sure do hope so!
Christmas Carnival of Lights, Caledonia WI
Photo via submission to The Journal Times
Christmas Carnival of Lights
November 18, 2023-January 1, 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.