With Christmastime just around the corner, everyone’s looking to get into the holiday spirit. And if you live in the Midwest, you’re in luck: it’s home to some of the most impressive Christmas lights displays around. In fact, many of the Midwest’s illuminations are award-winning family traditions. Here’s where to see the best Christmas lights displays in the Midwest, from Illinois to Ohio, Wisconsin to South Dakota, and Michigan to Missouri.
Illinois
Northbrook
Northbrook is home to a fun drive-thru lights display at the Willow Hill Golf Course called Willow Hills Winter Magic. The display features more than one million lights making up characters, tunnels, Christmas trees and more family fun. Willow Hill Winter Magic is open every day starting at 5 p.m. and running November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 with tickets running at $40 for a standard vehicle.
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Alton
The “grandpa gang” hangs up 4 million lights on the trees in Rock Spring Park for Christmas Wonderland from November 29-December 27. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per car.
Bethalto
Just nine miles east of Alton is the Bethalto Christmas Village. It’s a walk-through festival in the Arboretum. Expect to see the cottages, giving trees, wire art and lit trees throughout the half-mile path. The Village is free to enjoy, but donations are always accepted to improve the event. It opens on November 30 and runs through the beginning of the new year.
Brookfield
Brookfield Zoo’s annual Holiday Magic event will feature a 600-foot-long tunnel with thousands of colored lights all synchronized to music; a giant 20-foot-lit orb ideal for Instagram selfies or holiday photos; a 41-foot-tall holiday tree; larger-than-life LED animal sculptures of a bison, a bear, and a giraffe; and 660 LED-lit trees decorated with ornaments.
There will also be a Game of Gnomes family-friendly scavenger hunt, seasonal treats and beverages, and a life-size cut out Santa Claus photo frame. The event is open select dates from November 22-December 31. Hours are always 3-9 p.m. Admission is by timed tickets, which must be purchased in advance. Tickets range from $29.95-34.95 for adults and $20.95-$24.95 for children ages 3-11. Parking is $15.18 at the north gate entrance and $17.86 at the south gate.
Chicago
The big Magnificent Mile Lights Festival returns, beginning with a ceremonial tree lighting parade down Michigan Avenue from 5:30-7 p.m. If you can’t see it live, the parade will air on ABC 7 Chicago on November 24 at 6 p.m., with additional broadcasts throughout the holiday season depending on your location.
This year, the Christkindl Market will be returning as a physical event instead of online! There will be locations in Aurora and Chicago from November 18-December 24, as well as in Wrigleyville from November 22-December 24. The Market will be open on holidays with reduced hours. Admission is always free, there is a ticketed opening night preview event on November 21.
To experience Chicago Christmas lights in person, drive up Michigan Avenue or head to Lincoln Park for the ZooLights displays at Lincoln Park Zoo. ZooLights runs on select dates from November 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Hours are 4:30-10 p.m. Admission is free on select Mondays and then $7-10 depending on the day. Tickets are available online.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Check out all of the ways to celebrate Christmas in Chicago.
East Peoria
The East Peoria Festival of Lights is set to be even bigger this year. The town was a 2020 contender for Season 8 of The Great Christmas Light Fight on ABC. How did the town do? It was the CHAMPION of the Heavy Weights Division on the show! The 37th annual East Peoria Festival of Lights holiday light show will be open from November 15, 2024, through January 5, 2025. Admission to the Folepi’s Winter Wonderland drive-through festival costs $10 per vehicle. Various extra events occur throughout the season, with details for each available on their website.
Lisle
Trees are the stars of the awesome lights display at Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum in Chicago’s west suburbs. Illumination is a one-mile walk through colorful and creative lights displays. You can be sure this year will be extra special, as it’s both the 10th anniversary of the festival and the 100th anniversary of the Arboretum! Dates are November 16, 2024-January 4, 2025. Tickets must be purchased online for a timed entry. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Prices range from $16-$25 for members, and $17- $35 for guests. This year, there is a special sensory evening on Tuesday, December 3 and there are two events specifically for adult attendees:
- Electric Illumination, in which the lights are synced to a curated selection of house music later at night
- IllumiBrew, a craft-beer-focused experience
Indiana
Indianapolis
Indy has the nation’s tallest holiday light display at Circle of Lights in downtown Indianapolis’ Monument Circle. About 100,000 people have shown up in the past to watch the lights turn on. That will happen November 29, when the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Monument is transformed into a 242-foot tall Christmas tree. It will remain up until January 11, 2025. In addition, the Indianapolis Zoo’s Christmas at the Zoo is set for 5-9 p.m. from November 23, 2024-January 5, 2025.
Winterlights, a fun indoor and outdoor event with over 1.5 million lights, returns to the Garden at Newfields from November 23, 2024-January 5, 2025. Enjoy various themed displays, including the Landscape of Light, which is synced to the music of the Nutcracker. Seasonal food and drink are also available. Ticket prices vary based on membership and other events taking place.
Santa Claus
As you can imagine, this Christmas-themed town goes all-out for the holidays. A highlight is the 1.2-mile Santa Claus Land of Lights, a driving journey that tells the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer through huge LED displays. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 22-December 8 and nightly from December 13-23, the cost is $15/car, but you may be able to find a $4 off coupon at local McDonald’s restaurants.
Conner Prairie
Get in the holiday spirit this year at the Merry Prairie Holiday Festival! The Reynolds family donated their annual lights display to the Festival, hosted at Conner Prairie. The festival will run from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 29-December 22. Tickets for members are $13 and nonmembers cost $26. Timed admission tickets must be purchased in advance. Admission is free for children under 2.
Valparaiso
Winter Lights Drive Thru features lots of unique displays, many custom-made by park maintenance staff. Look for farm scenes, a roller coaster and Santa taking off into the sky. Open nightly from dusk-9 p.m. on November 23, 2024-January 1, 2025 at Sunset Hill Park. Admission is always free, but donations are gladly accepted.
Kokomo
Highland Park’s City of Lights is a drive-through attraction with more than 50 light displays. Open nightly from Thanksgiving, November 29-December 31. Driving through is free.
Iowa
Davenport
The long-running Kwik Star Festival of Trees is now in its 37th year, and more magical than ever! Enjoy a walk in the Peppermint Forest, hundreds of unique and amazing displays, gift shops and more. Kids will love meeting Santa, playing fun holiday-themed games and doing arts and crafts. The festival runs from November 23-December 1 this year, and proceeds go to the Quad City Arts foundation, allowing them to help the community and continue to offer fun programs like the Festival every year. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 2-10, and can be purchased online, at the event or at any Kwik Star location near you.
Michigan
Dearborn
Lantern-lit paths illuminate the old-fashioned Christmas performances and light displays at the charming Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village. Horse-and-carriage and Model T car rides, ice skating, caroling and fireworks can all be found here. Dates will be December 5-8, 11-15, 18-23, and 26-28 from 6:30-10 p.m. Members can arrive early at 6 p.m.
Grand Rapids
The Christmas Lite Show at Fifth Third Ballpark has almost two miles (more than a million lights!) of animated displays, lighted tunnels and more. It’s open from November 27-January 4. Hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $30 per car.
Manistee
Sparkle in the Park, features more than 100,000 lights in holiday displays in Hopkins Park and throughout the village of Bear Lake, including angels, Christmas trees, Santa and reindeer, a salute to troops, snowmen, animals and Christmas scenes. Free, though donations are accepted. The event runs November 30, 2024-December 31, 2024 from 5-10 p.m. nightly at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.
Minnesota
Duluth
The Bentleyville Tour of Lights, located along Lake Superior, is a drive-through event in the 20-acre Bayfront Festival Park. Displays feature Duluth and Christmas-themed icons illuminated by more than 5 million lights. The Tour runs November 23-December 28. Hours are from 5-9 p.m. from Sunday-Thursday, and 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Entrance is free, but parking is $10 at the gate. No vehicles longer than 20 feet or taller than 8 feet allowed.
Read More: The Best Midwest Ski Resorts for Families
Missouri
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Christmas lights in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo credit: Kansas City
Kansas City
Country Club Plaza continues a nearly century-old tradition the night after Thanksgiving, when the mayor’s Christmas tree lights are turned on. Views are available from plaza hotels, such as the upscale Hotel Sorella or the family-friendly Holiday Inn. Best views are from the rooftops, or the second floor of Barnes & Noble. The displays stay up through mid-January. City Lights also includes the front façade of the 22-story Marriott Kansas City Downtown, which features a synchronized display of 30,000 bulbs.
Branson
Branson bills itself as “America’s Christmas Tree City,” and it’s no joke! They do it up big during the holidays. There are several impressive drive-through light displays, including Let There Be Lights! at the Promised Land Zoo from now until January 7, 2025, Branson’s Lights of Joy and the Trail of Lights at the 160-acre Shepherd of the Hill Homestead. Ticket prices vary from $25-$40 by event.
St. Louis
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden features more than 1 million dazzling lights. This year’s event will include fun new experiences, and traditional favorites such as s’mores, festive drinks, and fantastic family photo opportunities. Garden Glow is open every evening from November 16, 2024-January 4, 2025, excluding November 25, 28 and both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Doors open at 5 p.m. Nonmember tickets are $22-$24 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-12. Children ages 2 and under are free. On Family Nights (November 20 & 27 and December 4 & 11), children’s tickets are only $5. All tickets are dated and timed.
SheBuysTravel Tip: We’ve got lots more ideas for celebrating Christmas in St. Louis!
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Brewery Lights in St. Louis features more than a million Christmas lights, a children’s play area, and of course, beer. Photo credit: Anheuser-Busch.
Beer, of course, is served at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights display. But you can sip it under more than 1 million twinkling lights. Ice skating, a Kid Zone play area with a train ride, live music and a Soup Bar are part of the festivities. The festival will be open on select dates from November 22-December 30. Tickets are available now ranging $7-$12.
Ohio
Hamilton
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum’s Pyramid Hill Lights integrates monumental sculptures, inventive lighting displays, and a custom soundtrack from the Cincinnati Boychoir and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra in a drive-through display. The Journey will be open from November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025. Hours are 6-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, and 6-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Tickets are $25 per carload for nonmembers and $15 for members.
Middletown
Light Up Middletown is entirely designed and installed by a group of volunteers called the “Grandpa Gang.” Drive through the display to see animated lights that feature all kinds of holiday cheer from the North Pole to snowflakes to winter animals. Open 6-10 p.m. nightly from Thanksgiving, November 28 through New Year’s Eve, December 31. Admission is by cash donation-you pick the price you’re comfortable with.
Christmas Lights in South Dakota
Brooking
Garden Glow at McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center is a winter wonderland of holiday spirit. The newest addition is “Reindeer Meadow” and holiday tunes throughout the walk. The event runs from December 7, 2024-January 6, 2025 with tickets for $10 and free admission for members, SDSU students and kids under 5.
Hill City
Are you a Polar Express fan? Then South Dakota has the perfect attraction for you: 1880 Train’s Holiday Express! Enjoy a one-hour ride to the North Pole to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, sip on hot chocolate and munch on tasty sugar cookies. The Express will be running on select dates during November and December in the late mornings and early afternoons. Tickets for adults are $46 and $29 for children. For adults, a special ticket with spiked hot chocolate is also available. Make sure to purchase tickets in advance, as space is limited.
Rapid City
Storybook Island in Rapid City magically becomes a winter wonderland during Christmas Nights of Light. Storybook characters are all dressed up and the park is decorated in lights for the holiday season. The event runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 29-December 8, and every day from December 12-23. Hours are 5:30-8:30 p.m. Admission is just $5 per person.
Wisconsin
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Photo credit: Grand Geneva Resort
Lake Geneva
The beautiful Grand Geneva Resort & Spa hosts an annual Christmas in the Country celebration. More than two million lights illuminate the resort’s 1,300 acres of rolling countryside, including the family-favorite “12 Days of Christmas” drive-thru light show and the Gingerbread House Walk. The event begins November 24, culminating in a 6 p.m. countdown to the illumination.
Milwaukee
Thousands of lights create animated scenes and dancing luminaries in Pere Marquette Park for the annual Holiday Lights Festival. This year, the Festival runs November 21, 2024-January 1, 2025.
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