If you’re looking for the ultimate list of holiday and Christmas lights in Chicago neighborhoods, we’ve got you covered. From the city to the ‘burbs, these houses, streets, and neighborhoods go all out with their impressive self-made holiday and Christmas lights displays. Some homes on this list are best viewed from the car, while others encourage you to get out and walk. Many homes and streets feature light-up tunnels, visits from Santa, and treats for the kids. We’ve also noted which shows on the list are synchronized to music and what radio stations to tune into.
For more holiday light displays, check out this mega list, Where to See the Best Holiday and Christmas Lights in Chicago. More holiday fun at our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families.
Holiday and Christmas Lights in Chicago Neighborhoods: North and Northwest Suburbs
1. Larsen Christmas Lights Show – Pingree Grove
The Larsen Christmas Lights Show has moved from their home to Goeberts in Pingree Grove. This show features a stunning display synchronized to 88.5 FM. The owner of Epic Light Shows puts on an amazing show each year for visitors and neighbors to enjoy. The 30-minute show runs Thanksgiving through January 5th. All tickets must be purchased online. Tickets are sold per car.
Some neighborhood lights have accompanying radio stations. Photo courtesy of the Sandberg Christmas Display
2. Sandberg Christmas Display – Elk Grove Village
Tune your radio to 106.1 FM for the Sandberg Christmas Display. The 2024 show kicks off 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.
3. Juniper Lane – South Elgin
In South Elgin, you’ll find an entire block lined with Christmas lights on Juniper Lane. 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.
4. 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: South and Western Suburbs
5. 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 on weekdays and 10:00 on weekends.
6. Lehnertz Avenue – Aurora
Lehnertz Avenue has been celebrating with a holiday light display for 73 years. From Thanksgiving 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
7. 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 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.
8. 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 on weekdays and 5:00 and 11:00 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.
9. 12941 Greenfield Drive- Plainfield
From Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve, you’ll find an amazing light display from dusk until 10:00. 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
10. 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 $30,000.
