Insider Tips for Seeing Christmas Lights in Chicago

Many of the best light displays in the Chicago area are in the suburbs, where parking is easy to come by. Make a trip out of one or several of these destinations. Naperville and Tinley Park both have several well-known destinations for holiday lights if you want to make an evening (or an afternoon, if you start at 4 p.m.) out of it. The colder it is, the less crowded it will be. Choose a random weeknight to go see holiday houses instead of trying to pack it in on Christmas Eve or the day after Thanksgiving!

Neighborhood Christmas & Holiday Lights in Chicago FAQ

Q: Are there free Christmas light displays in Chicago?
A: These neighborhood displays are all free! To check out light shows and drive thrus, see our post here.

Q: When do Christmas lights start in Chicago?
A: Most holiday house displays begin on Thanksgiving or Black Friday and run through early January. Neighborhood lights usually go up right after Thanksgiving.

Q: What are the best neighborhoods for holiday lights near Chicago?
A:  In the city, check out Roscoe Village, Beverly, and Sauganash. They're known for having competitive neighborhoods for lights. In the suburbs, check out Naperville and Tinley Park. Naperville has so many houses that there are three separate trolley tours to see them all. In Tinley Park, there are several neighboring light shows that sometimes support each other.

Q: How can I support families putting on these displays to make sure they keep running?
A: Many families have the means to support the show on their own, but encourage you to donate to a local charity. Consider giving a toy, canned goods, or money to their selected non-profit.

For more holiday light displays, check out this mega list, Where to See the Best Holiday and Christmas Lights in Chicago. 

Holiday and Christmas Lights in Chicago Neighborhoods: North and Northwest Suburbs 

 
Some neighborhood lights have accompanying radio stations. Photo courtesy of the Sandberg Christmas Display

1. Sandberg Christmas Display – Elk Grove Village

Tune your radio to 106.1 FM for the Sandberg Christmas Display. The 2025 show is still being set up, but last year it opened for the season on Thanksgiving night. You can listen to the 34-piece choir, spot Home Alone characters in the windows, walk through a candy cane tunnel of 1,000 lights, and more. Check out the new 8-foot nutcracker. 

2. Juniper Lane - South Elgin

In South Elgin, you’ll find an entire block lined with Christmas lights on Juniper Lane and on the adjacent Woodland Court. The Mays Family Light Show is among these houses, promising high-quality effects timed to music. From Thanksgiving until December 26th, check out the lights from 5:00 – 9:00. The week leading up to Christmas, Santa and carolers also stop by for a visit. As you walk through, bring a canned food for the family to share at local food pantries. Parking is discouraged on Juniper Lane. 

3. Lights on Rockville – Gilberts

The entire subdivision comes alive as six houses in a row are decked out for the holidays. Each house features a matching holiday lights display synchronized to music on 92.1 FM. There is additional parking across the street. You can walk through the LED tunnel or enjoy the show from your car. Lights are on Sunday – Thursday from 4:30 – 8:30 and Friday - Saturday, 4:30 – 10:00.

Holiday and Christmas Lights in Chicago Neighborhoods: Far Western Suburbs 

4. Lights on Easton – Carol Stream

Starting December 1st, you can drive or walk by an impressive holiday display in Carol Stream. With a synchronized music light show, animated characters, gigantic trees, and a display of Santa’s Workshop, everyone in the family will be amazed. Lights will start at dusk and run until 9:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 pm on weekends. 

5. Lehnertz Avenue - Aurora

Lehnertz Avenue has been celebrating with a holiday light display for 73 years. From December 15 until New Year’s, you can come out and enjoy the lights from 5:00 – 9:00 every night. 

Frozen fans will enjoy Olaf's Winter Spectacular. Photo courtesy of Olaf's Winterland in Elmhurst, Facebook

6. The Believe House - Naperville

There are so many houses in this western suburb that you need a trolley tour to see them all! The Believe House in the Hobson West neighborhood is one of the originals. Centered around a giant lit up sign that says BELIEVE, the display includes dozens of lighted characters and an animation in the upstairs window. See it from the street or walk through on the sidewalk!

7. 701 N. Sparkle Court - Oswego

If the street name doesn't say it all, the lights will! More than 50,000 lights adorn this far west suburban house, and they're all synchronized to music on 88.3 FM. The 90-minute show is best seen from your car and started running in early November.

8. 12941 Greenfield Drive-  Plainfield

From the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve, you’ll find an amazing light display from dusk until 10:00 pm. This synchronized show moves along to 12 songs on 106.1FM. As a special treat, the homeowners put 90 names on their mega tree in lights. If you don’t see your child’s name, you can email the owners at plainfieldchristmas@gmail.com to have it added a day or two in advance. 

Walk through Avon Lane in Tinley Park. Photo courtesy of TP Christmas House

Holiday and Christmas Light Displays- South and Southwestern Suburbs

9. 17321 Avon Lane -Tinley Park

The lights on Avon Lane in Tinley Park are well worth getting out of the car. You’ll find additional parking at Prairie View Middle School. As you walk through the lights, you’ll find scenes from Frozen, a moving carousel, a dance floor, a new igloo scene, and so much more. Consider a donation for Together We Cope to help families in need. Last year the family raised over $40,000.

10. Hirsch Christmas Lights - Tinley Park

The Hirsch Family promises a unique display every year! We've checked out their Facebook page and this year may include Santa and his reindeer, a giant Christmas tree, and maybe even some Christmas golden retrievers! We'll find out when the show opens late in November.

11. Christmas House South Chicago Heights

This south suburban house has been lighting up the neighborhood with more than 30,000 bulbs for the past 43 years. See Santa and his reindeer, Christmas trees, candy canes, nutcrackers and more, and drop off canned goods for Alicia's House Food Pantry. 

Holiday and Christmas Light Displays - Near Western Suburbs

12. Olaf's Winter Spectacular - Elmhurst

For all your little Frozen fans, there’s Olaf's Winter Spectacular in Elmhurst. Shows will start at 5:00 pm and run on the hour and half hour with the last show starting at 9:30 on Sundays through Thursdays. The last show will start at 10:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. The show is synchronized to music, so be sure to tune into 89.9 FM.

13. 916 S. Ashland Avenue - La Grange

Every night in LaGrange, you can walk through a lighted archway alongside a stunning light display. Lights are on now from 5:00 – 10:00 pm on weekdays and 5:00 - 11:00 pm on weekends. Inside the archway, you may also find candy canes put out by the elves while supplies last. The family also collects food donations in bins located outside for local food pantries. 

14. Hughes Digital Christmas - Lombard

This neighborhood display will include new elements this year, like a wreath with three times as many lights. Tune to 89.9 FM to hear Christmas music coordinated with light up snowmen, arches, snowflakes and more at this west suburban display. Donate to The Outreach House to keep the display going!

15. Fillipp Family Exterior Illuminations - Villa Park

Villa Park's official holiday house lights up on Thanksgiving. See lots of lights, including Santas, a train, wreaths, ornaments and candy canes. Consider donating a toy to Toy Expresss Children's Charity in the display's lit up wishing well!