ENJOY SPECTACULAR FUN ALL SEASON LONG
It's the most wonderful time of the year! We're here to help you make lots of new memories all season long. Here are 10 Trends in Local Lights & Holiday Fun in the western suburbs. Enjoy!
#1 | Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
ALL SEASON LONG!
Now in its 40th year, get ready to visit Chicagoland’s largest and longest-running lights festival featuring over two million twinkling LED lights! New this year is Sea of Lights featuring over 2 miles of lights! Play the Game of Gnomes and find all 25 hidden throughout the zoo. Enjoy a 600-foot tunnel of lights, illuminated animal sculptures, numerous photo ops and more! Advance tickets required.
#2 | Holiday Express
DECEMBER 2021 • BLACKBERRY FARM, AURORA
Bring the family for a magical and memorable experience – just like visiting the North Pole! Blackberry Farm is a winter wonderland amid thousands of twinkling lights, festive holiday decorations and happy holiday music. Take a ride on the Holiday Express train – a charming tour around scenic Lake Gregory – and enjoy a hay wagon ride, too. Back in the historic pioneer village, you’ll enjoy crafts, a reindeer food bar, story readings of holiday classics at the one-room schoolhouse and…a special visit with Santa. Tickets go on sale November 12 at 9am.
#3 | Celebration of Lights Festival
NOVEMBER 28 • BATAVIA RIVERWALK, DOWNTOWN BATAVIA
Experience the Magic of Batavia with the Celebration of Lights Festival! Enjoy hayrides, holiday craft activities, old-fashioned ornament-making, a community sing-a-long, ceremonial tree lighting, a visit with Santa, story hour and the ever-popular Christmas Tree Lane. The festival is presented by the Batavia Park District in partnership with Batavia MainStreet, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, the City of Batavia, and the Batavia Police Department. This event is free.
#4 | Nights of Lights
ALL SEASON LONG • ADAMS PARK, WHEATON
Enjoy the return of Nights of Lights in Adams Park this holiday season. The display will be lit through January 9, 2022. Lights will be on from dusk to 11pm. While you’re there be sure to drop your letter to Santa Clause in the special North Pole mailbox located in the southeast corner of the park. Be sure to look in the gazebo for Santa’s special mailbox. Make sure the return address is on the letter to receive a letter back from Santa.
#5 | Believe House
NIGHTLY • 4:30-10:30PM • OVER-NIGHT ON CHRISTMAS EVE
630 VICKSBURG COURT
A beautiful display of lights in Naperville, this display has caught the attention of every major news outlet and is loved by many. A popular touring spot for Chicagoans, near and far, with an extra special story behind it. Visit online to learn more! https://www.believehouse.com/the-believe-house
#6 | Miracle on 34th Street
DECEMBER 10-19 • BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE, NAPERVILLE
BrightSide Theatre opens their10th anniversary season with this family friendly holiday musical - Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play. Performing at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth Street in Naperville.
#7 | Holiday Lights at Mooseheart
MOOSEHEART • BATAVIA
With over 80 displays over nearly two miles of gorgeous winding driveway at one of Chicagoland's largest holiday light tours, the Holiday Lights at Mooseheart is another fantastic, festive journey for you and your family in the Aurora Area. Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is a residential childcare facility located on 1,000 acres between the Aurora Area communities of North Aurora and Batavia.
#8 | Reindeer Road
ALL SEASON LONG • NAPERVILLE
New to Naperville featuring the world’s tallest reindeer! This drive-thru Christmas lights display is located on the campus of Highpoint Church at 1805 High Point Drive, Naperville and has many unique features including a theatrical lighting, a mailbox drop for Letters to Santa, free hot chocolate (while supplies last) and more with special visits from Santa and Rudolph from time to time – how fun is that! Additionally there will be Santa’s Vendor Village, featuring local businesses (12/3, 12/10, 12/17) and many Christmas photo opportunities. Visit today. $10/car in support of Alive Center and KidsMatter.
#9 | Elf On the Shelf
DECEMBER 19 • ROSEMONT THEATER
This production will give you a glimpse into the enchanting world of the North Pole, where Santa resides. Experience toe tapping songs and unforgettable dance numbers as you journey through a heart warming tale which will boost everyone's Christmas spirit's, yes even those of a humbug!
#10 | Festival of Lights
ALL SEASON LONG • PHILLIPS PARK • AURORA
A holiday tradition for fifteen years and counting, the Rotary Club of Aurora Festival of Lights in historic Phillips Park is one of the largest free outdoor holiday light displays in northern Illinois. Enjoy animated arrays like the 20-foot tall "singing" Christmas tree and Santa's Toy Factory. Over 30,000 cars tour the Festival of Lights each year over the display's four week run between Thanksgiving and just after Christmas. Donations welcome!
