Best Christmas Light Displays Illinois 2025: Top 20 Festive Spots to Visit
Table of Contents
- 1 Find the Best Accommodations
- 2 11) Lake Shore Lights
- 3 12) The Tarkowski Family Light Show
- 4 13) Larsen’s Light Show
- 5 14) Rockford Festival of Lights
- 6 15) WonderLight’s Christmas in St. Louis
- 7 16) Lights on Main Street
- 8 17) Fillipp Family Exterior Illuminations
- 9 18) TP Christmas House
- 10 19) Griswold Way Lights
- 11 20) Lit Lemont Lightshow
Find the Best Accommodations
Visitors like you rated these hotels, guesthouses and apartments as ‘superb’ or ‘exceptional’. No reservation fees.
11) Lake Shore Lights
Lake Shore Lights near Edelstein offers a peaceful take on holiday lights. You’ll find the displays set up along a quiet lakeside road, with classic Christmas lights and decorations that really shine after dark.
You can drive by or walk up to see the lights—no huge crowds, just a relaxed vibe. Local families often stop by to enjoy the view.
The spot is easy to reach by car, and there’s no admission fee. If you’re after a laid-back neighborhood display, this one’s a solid pick.
Rating: 5 (16 reviews)
Location: 412 E Lake Shore Dr, Edelstein, IL 61526
Website: Visit Website
| Dates (2025) | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby (Booking.com) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To be announced | After dark | 412 E Lake Shore Dr, Edelstein | Free | AmericInn by Wyndham Peoria | Lake Shore Lights |
12) The Tarkowski Family Light Show
The Tarkowski Family Light Show in Antioch, Illinois has earned a reputation for its creative holiday lights. Every December, the family transforms their home into a glowing spectacle.
You’ll see a mix of classic and quirky decorations, and they change things up each year. People come by car or on foot to admire the lights.
The display also syncs up with music you can catch on your radio. That’s a nice touch, especially if you want to stay warm in your car.
Rating: 4.6 (29 reviews)
Location: 1256 Bradford Ln, Antioch, IL 60002
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December (exact dates may vary) | Evenings | 1256 Bradford Ln, Antioch, IL 60002 | Free | Hotels in Antioch, IL | facebook.com/thetarkowskifamilylightshow |
13) Larsen’s Light Show
Larsen’s Light Show in Pingree Grove, Illinois, stands out for its huge synchronized Christmas lights display. The lights flicker and change colors in time with festive music.
You can take in the whole show from your car, which is honestly a relief on those cold winter nights. The display stretches along a farm property, so there’s plenty to see as you drive through.
Families and groups love this spot for a simple, drive-through experience. Weekends can get packed, so if you’re not a fan of crowds, maybe try a weekday.
Rating: 4.4 (110 reviews)
Location: 42W813 Reinking Rd, Pingree Grove, IL 60140
Contact: (847) 464-5952
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov-Dec (TBA) | Evenings | 42W813 Reinking Rd, Pingree Grove, IL | Free | Comfort Inn & Suites, Geneva | goebberts.com |
14) Rockford Festival of Lights
The Rockford Festival of Lights happens as part of the city’s big Fourth of July bash. Every year, thousands head downtown for the event, soaking in holiday light displays, live music, parades, and fireworks.
Organizers set up the light festival along North 2nd Street, near Beattie Park and the Jefferson Street Bridge. If you want to catch the parades, show up early—they start with motorcycles and Jeeps, then roll into the main patriotic procession.
Live bands keep the energy up at the City Market Pavilion and Beattie Park Gazebo all evening. The fireworks kick off at 9:30 pm and light up much of downtown Rockford.
You don’t have to pay to get in, but donations help keep those lights and fireworks going. The community keeps this event alive, so even a small contribution matters.
You’ll spot food vendors and some rest areas around, but honestly, it’s smart to arrive early if you want the best view.
Rating: 4.6 (99 reviews)
Location: 1401 N 2nd St, Rockford, IL 61107
Contact: (815) 209-8734
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 4, 2025 | Events from 7:00 am; Lights and Fireworks at 9:30 pm | 1401 N 2nd St, Rockford, IL 61107 | Free, donations welcome | Nearby Hotels on Booking.com | 4thandlights.com |
15) WonderLight’s Christmas in St. Louis
At WonderLight’s Christmas in St. Louis, you just stay in your car and drive through a wild display of over a million LED lights. The lights sync up with Christmas music that plays right through your car stereo, so you get this unique, cozy experience.
The music mix lasts about 45 minutes, with both classic and newer songs. You can visit any night from mid-November through early January, even if it’s a holiday.
Buy tickets ahead of time for a specific two-hour slot—honestly, it makes the lines way less stressful. They ask all vehicles to keep headlights off and move slowly through the show.
Pets are welcome as long as they stay in the car. If you’re coming with a group, you can grab a group rate. You’ll find portable toilets at both the entrance and exit.
They set up the whole thing at World Wide Technology Raceway, just outside downtown St. Louis. If you’re making it part of a trip, plenty of hotels are nearby in East St. Louis and the greater St. Louis area.
Table of Key Information
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2024–Jan 5, 2025 | 5–10 PM | 1905 Collinsville Rd, Fairmont City, IL 62201 | $30/car (up to 7 people); Group rates from $50 | Nearby Hotels | wonderlightschristmas.com |
Rating: 4.1 (86 reviews)
Location: 1905 Collinsville Rd, East St Louis, IL 62201
Website: Visit Website
16) Lights on Main Street
Lights on Main Street in Morton, Illinois, draws plenty of families and visitors every season. Homes and buildings along Main Street get covered in coordinated light displays, so a drive or stroll here feels pretty special.
You can tune your car radio to music that matches the lights after dark. The crowds grow as Christmas gets closer, so parking along side streets is common.
The walk works for all ages. Many people come back year after year—it’s just one of those traditions.
For updates about the schedule and hours, check their Facebook page. There’s no admission fee, so you can just show up and enjoy.
Rating: 5 (65 reviews)
Location: 707 S Main St, Morton, IL 61550
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where To Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late November-December | After dark | 707 S Main St, Morton, IL 61550 | Free | Hotels nearby | https://www.facebook.com/LightsOnMainStreet/ |
17) Fillipp Family Exterior Illuminations
The Fillipp Family Exterior Illuminations in Villa Park is a pretty impressive neighborhood light display. This family transforms their suburban home into a seasonal attraction, and folks from all over the area drive by to check it out.
They switch up the display every year, so you never really know what you’ll get until you see it. The lights usually come on at dusk and stay up through the evening all season.
It’s not as crowded as the big commercial displays, so you can take your time enjoying the lights. The spot is easy to find in Villa Park, but you’ll probably need to park on a side street since it’s a residential area.
Rating: 5 (4 reviews)
Location: 39 W Madison St, Villa Park, IL 60181
| Dates | Times | Location | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025* | Dusk-Evening* | 39 W Madison St, Villa Park, IL 60181 | Free* | Villa Park hotels | N/A |
*Estimated. Check local sources for up-to-date hours and event status.
18) TP Christmas House
If you’re hoping for a family-friendly Christmas display, TP Christmas House in Tinley Park is a solid choice. This home stands out for its detailed light decorations and festive yard displays.
Every year, locals and visitors drive by to see what new themes and figures they’ve put together. You’ll spot colorful lights and decorations on the house and all across the yard.
Some of the displays even sync with music, which makes the whole experience a bit livelier. You can park on the street and either view the lights from your car or walk along the sidewalk for a closer look.
The owners update the display every holiday season, so check their social media for the latest info and any special events. Crowds pick up as Christmas nears, so visiting earlier in the season usually means fewer people.
Rating: 4.9 (88 reviews)
Location: 17321 Avon Ln, Tinley Park, IL 60487
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late Nov–Dec 31, 2025 | Evenings | 17321 Avon Ln, Tinley Park, IL 60487 | Free | Tinley Park hotels | Visit Website |
19) Griswold Way Lights
If you’re after a neighborhood light display that also supports a good cause, check out Griswold Way Lights in Washington, Illinois. The display sits in a residential area and is known locally for its festive lights and its dedication to helping others.
You can drive by and take it all in any time during the season. Both families and visitors of all ages seem to love it.
As Christmas approaches, the crowds get bigger, so a weekday evening is probably your best bet if you want to avoid traffic. Griswold Way Lights collects donations for local charities, so you get to enjoy the holiday spirit and help out at the same time.
They post updates about dates and special events on social media, so it’s worth checking before you go.
Rating: 4.9 (66 reviews)
Location: 1413 Jadens Way, Washington, IL 61571
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | Not listed | 1413 Jadens Way, Washington, IL 61571 | Free | Hotels in Washington, IL | Griswold Way Lights |
20) Lit Lemont Lightshow
You’ll spot the Lit Lemont Lightshow tucked away in Lemont, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago. Locals and visitors flock here every December for a cozy Christmas lights display.
Organizers set everything up at Kettering Parkway, and honestly, it’s pretty simple to reach by car. The lightshow mixes colorful lights and outdoor decorations, all arranged for a drive-through experience.
Most people just stay in their cars and follow the route. The displays change a bit each year, but they always stick to those classic holiday vibes.
You won’t find the size or hype of Chicago’s biggest Christmas events here. Still, that’s kind of the charm—no massive crowds, no long waits, just an easy, festive outing if you’re nearby.
It’s a quick and affordable way to enjoy some lights without making a whole day of it. Before you go, you’ll want to double-check the hours and any ticket info, since details can change.
If you need somewhere to stay, booking websites have plenty of options close by.
Rating: 3.7 (3 reviews)
Location: 13760 Kettering Pkwy, Lemont, IL 60439
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay (booking.com) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 (TBA) | Evenings (TBA) | 13760 Kettering Pkwy, Lemont, IL 60439 | TBA | Hotels nearby | Visit Website |
Christmas Market Closures
Due to econonic conditions and tariffs, some Christmas Markets may cancel their events due to lack of vendors. If you are aware of a closed market,or find errors on a listing, please reach out on our Contact Us page so that we may update this post.
