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Dates confirmed for this year (8)
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Call ahead before any drive — confirmed ones included. A confirmed date is not a promise the gate is open on the day.
8 lights & tree farms within about an hour of Chicago · 2026 season
Holiday light displays, zoo lights and cut-your-own tree farms around Chicago. Every date here was read on the venue's own site, with the date we checked shown on each card — and where a venue publishes no closing date, the card says the end is our estimate. Several of these run on select nights rather than every evening, so check the card before you set out.
Call ahead before any drive — confirmed ones included. A confirmed date is not a promise the gate is open on the day.
Nov 7 – Jan 6 · closing date is our estimate
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637 · 7 mi
Opens Sat Nov 7 and included in general admission. 50+ decorated trees and displays for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Diwali
Included with general museum admission; no separate ticket
Always check first before you set off. Dates are confirmed, but plans change at short notice — weather, staffing, a crop finishing early, and the closing date is our estimate.
Checked Nov 6, 2026 · Check the source
Nov 14 – Jan 2
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532 · 23 mi
Their 14th year. Lights along a mile of trail, plus a new model railroad as a paid add-on. Public tickets opened Oct 15
Ticketed, timed entry; members get early access and the lower price. Book ahead — this one sells out in December
Always call 630-968-0074 before you set off. Dates are confirmed, but plans change at short notice — weather, staffing, a crop finishing early.
Checked Nov 6, 2026 · Check the source
Nov 20 – Jan 3
2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 · 3 mi
ZooLights, 4:30-9pm, all ages, and it runs in rain or snow. Three million lights, a Ferris wheel over them, and Santa until Dec 23
Fall Fest is free, rides from $4 — but ZooLights is a separate ticket: free on Mondays except Dec 21 and 28, otherwise $7-12 booked ahead or $20 on the day
Always call 312-742-2000 before you set off. Dates are confirmed, but plans change at short notice — weather, staffing, a crop finishing early.
Checked Nov 6, 2026 · Check the source
Nov 21 – Dec 23
2855 Hart Rd, Aurora, IL 60502 · 35 mi
Tree farm 10am-7pm, Nov 21 to Dec 23, open every day but Thanksgiving. Visits are ticketed this season but the tickets are free
Pumpkins $5–$20. Non-profit — proceeds to Marmion Abbey. Pumpkin Daze tickets online through TicketSpice or at the gate.
Always call 630-966-7775 before you set off. Dates are confirmed, but plans change at short notice — weather, staffing, a crop finishing early. It's 35 miles each way.
Checked Nov 6, 2026 · Check the source
Nov 21 – Jan 3
31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513 · 11 mi
Holiday Magic, SELECT NIGHTS only, 3-9pm: Nov 21-25, 27-29; Dec 3-6, 10-13, 17-23, 26-31; Jan 1-3. Sensory-friendly night Dec 3
Boo! at the Zoo is included with zoo admission; Holiday Magic is a separate evening ticket from $29.95, and free to members
Always check first before you set off. Dates are confirmed, but plans change at short notice — weather, staffing, a crop finishing early.
Checked Nov 6, 2026 · Check the source
Nov 27 – Jan 3
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · 2 mi
Winter WonderFest, Festival Hall. Opens 10am, closing times vary, shut Christmas Day. $27 ahead or $32 at the door, skating included
Free
Also: Visible from the lakefront well beyond the pier itself — Ohio Street Beach and the Lakefront Trail both work
Always check first before you set off. Dates are confirmed, but plans change at short notice — weather, staffing, a crop finishing early.
Checked Nov 6, 2026 · Check the source
Nov 27 – Dec 20
909 English Prairie Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081 · 51 mi
Their hours page: Nov 27, the Friday after Thanksgiving, to Dec 20, 9am-6pm daily, cut-your-own and pre-cut. Their Dec 12 footer is stale
Always call 815-675-9729 before you set off. Dates are confirmed, but plans change at short notice — weather, staffing, a crop finishing early. It's 51 miles each way.
Checked Nov 6, 2026 · Check the source
Nov 27 – Dec 30
1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187 · 25 mi
Festival of Lights, FREE. 9am-9pm, lights on at 3pm. Dec 24 and 31 close at noon, shut Dec 25 and Jan 1. Trees sold on site
Regular zoo admission for Pumpkin Fest, free for children 0–17 and Wheaton Park District residents; the Festival of Lights is free to everyone
Always call 630-665-5534 before you set off. Dates are confirmed, but plans change at short notice — weather, staffing, a crop finishing early.
Checked Nov 6, 2026 · Check the source
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