The Absolute Best Places to See Christmas Light Displays in Chicago

Posted by Leo Clark. on Sunday, November 24th, 2019 at 11:54am.


Christmas festivities are kicking off all over Chicago and wondrous lighting displays are what everyone loves to see! Grab a cup of cocoa and take a stroll around these 4 Chicago areas to view some magical lighting displays.  

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is home of a 55 ft high, beautifully decorated Christmas tree is a great place to start your lighting tour. The tree was lit on November 22nd and is part of lots of continuing festivities along the Magnificent Mile. You can enjoy the twinkling lights all season long while you shop, dine, or go ice skating.

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Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park ZooLights always delivers a spectacular lighting and holiday celebration. Visitors can walk the grounds and check out the 3D displays, ice sculptures, decorations, and even get a photo Santa himself! The Zoo also holds special events like a holiday market or the 'Brewlights' beer tasting, so check out the Lincoln Park Zoo calendar.

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Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden has a brand new holiday show this year called, Lightscape. The show is a mile long journey of lighting and holiday installations. It features a Christmas light waterfall, singing trees, whimsical characters, and a lighted cathedral tunnel. Lightscape is must see for the Christmas season!

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The Museum of Science and Industry

A true global holiday celebration has been taking place at the MSI since 1942. The Museum of Science and Industry provides visitors a cultural experience with lighting displays honoring holidays like, Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, and St. Lucia Day. See how the Danes, Greeks, and the Polish, decorate their trees with beautiful hand-crafted ornaments and glowing lights. In addition to magnificent lighting, there are 50 elaborately decorated trees!

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