The magic of the holiday season comes to life in enchanting ways through drive-thru light displays. Across Illinois, communities, volunteers and local organizations work together to illuminate the night with a dazzling array of lights. Whether traveling near or far, these drive-thru light displays offer a fun way to celebrate with loved ones and capture the spirit of the season. While this is not a complete list of displays throughout Illinois, it will help get you started. So, hop in the car with your family and friends, tune the radio to your favorite holiday station, and enjoy the show.
Festival of Lights
A family tradition since 1989, this event is funded through donations and sponsorships. All holiday displays throughout the park are rented or built by community members and businesses.
Location: Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford
Dates: Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 2023
Hours: Thu-Sun: 5-11 p.m., Dec. 18-23: 5-11 p.m., Dec. 24-25: 24 hours, Dec. 26-30: 5-11 p.m. and Dec. 31: 5 p.m. to midnight
Website: 4thandlights.com
Cost: Donations appreciated
Celebration of Lights
For the past 10 years, the city of La Salle has offered one of the largest and brightest ways to celebrate the holidays in north central Illinois.
Location: La Salle Rotary Park, 2845 E. 5th Road, La Salle
Dates: Nov. 10, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024
Hours: Sun-Thu: 5-9 p.m. and Fri-Sat: 5-10 p.m.
Website: facebook.com/LaSalleLights
Cost: Donations appreciated
Folepi’s Winter Wonderland
A central Illinois staple for more than 30 years, Folepi’s Winter Wonderland takes about 30 minutes to drive through. However, wait times can be long. It is recommended to go during the week rather than on weekends.
Location: East Peoria Festival of Lights, 123 Par 3 Lane, East Peoria
Dates: Nov. 24, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024
Hours: Sun-Thu: 5-9 p.m., Fri-Sat: 5-11 p.m. and nightly Dec. 24-Jan. 1: 5-9 p.m.
Website: cityofeastpeoria.com/157/Folepis-Winter-Wonderland
Cost: $10 per vehicle, $30 per small bus, $150 per full-sized bus
Light Up McFerren Park
Enjoy more than 25 displays along the mile loop throughout McFerren Park.
Location: McFerren Park, Hoopeston
Dates: Nov. 25, 2023-Jan. 2, 2024
Hours: Dusk to 11 p.m. daily
Website: facebook.com/LightUpMcFerrenPark
Cost: Donations appreciated
Light Up the Park
More than 100,000 lights, sculptures and arches are on display as drivers weave through the mile-long route. Be sure to wave to Santa as you exit the park.
Location: Chatham Community Park, 698 S. Park Ave., Chatham
Dates: Nov. 24-Dec. 25, 2023
Hours: Thu-Sun: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $5 donation per car suggested
Shelbyville Festival of Lights
Take a journey through Shelbyville’s Forest Park for the community’s Festival of Lights. The local tradition includes many lighted display scenes and arches created and set up by local volunteers.
Location: Forest Park, E. North 9th St., Shelbyville
Dates: Nov. 17-Dec. 31, 2023
Hours: Sun-Thu: 5-9 p.m. and Fri-Sat: 5-10 p.m.
Website: facebook.com/ShelbyvilleFestivalofLightsIllinois
Cost: Donations appreciated
Mattoon Lightworks
Drive through Mattoon’s Peterson Park to see a variety of light displays.
A one-night-only walk-thru will be held Nov. 16.
Location: Peterson Park, 500 Broadway Ave., Mattoon
Dates: Nov. 17-Dec. 26, 2023
Hours: 5-9 p.m. nightly
Website: facebook.com/mattoonlightworks
Cost: Donations appreciated
Wonderland in Lights
Effingham’s Community Park is transformed each year into a holiday light spectacle with whimsical scenes. Santa will be there to greet cars and hand out toys every Saturday through Dec. 23.
Location: Community Park, 607 E. Temple Ave., Effingham
Dates: Nov. 23, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024
Hours: Sun-Thu: 5-9 p.m. and Fri-Sat: 5-10 p.m.
Website: visiteffinghamil.com
Cost: Donations appreciated
Christmas Wonderland
Rock Spring Park is transformed every year with more than 4 million lights.
A walkthrough night will be held Nov. 27.
Location: Rock Spring Park, 2100 College Ave., Alton
Dates: Nov. 24-Dec. 27, 2023
Hours: Mon-Fri: 6-9 p.m. and Sat-Sun: 5-9 p.m.
Website: riversandroutes.com/events/christmas-wonderland-2023
Cost: $7 donation per car suggested
Christmas Lights Wonderland
Drive or walk through a unique collection of light boxes, Christmas displays, lights and holiday scenes. Visitors are treated to something new every year, and Santa visits every Friday and Saturday.
Location: American Farm Heritage Museum, 1395 Museum Ave., Greenville
Dates: Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 2023
Hours: 5-9 p.m. nightly
Website: americanfarmheritagemuseum.com/christmas-display.html
Cost: Donations appreciated
Way of Lights
This festive event has been a family tradition since 1970. Located at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, the display focuses on the birth of Jesus.
Location: National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. Demazenod Drive, Belleville
Dates: Nov. 17-Dec. 31, 2023
Hours: 5-9 p.m. nightly
Website: snows.org/wayoflights
Cost: Donations appreciated
Christmas in Carlyle
City Park is filled with thousands of lights, dancing trees, animated features and more throughout the holiday season.
Location: Carlyle City Park, 1096 Lake Road, Carlyle
Dates: Nov. 24, 2023-Jan. 7, 2024
Hours: Dusk to 9 p.m. nightly
Website: carlylelake.com/christmas-lights
Cost: Donations appreciated
Coulterville Holiday Light Display
The 21st annual event starts at City Park and travels 18 blocks on 7th, King and Palm streets. More than 1 million lights will be on display along with hundreds of decorated trees and scenes.
Location: Downtown Coulterville, 102 W. Grant St., Coulterville
Dates: Dec. 2-27, 2023
Hours: Dusk to 9 p.m. nightly
Website: Coulterville Holiday Light Display on Facebook
Cost: free
Christmas Lights of Hope
While enjoying the holiday displays, visitors are also giving back to the community. Through Carmi Christmas Elves Inc., Christmas Lights of Hope raises funds to support those in need.
Location: White County Fairgrounds, Carmi
Dates: Nov. 24-Dec. 24, 2023
Hours: Fri-Sat: 6-9 p.m., Sun: 6-8 p.m., week of Dec. 18: 6-8 p.m. and Dec. 23-24: 6-9 p.m.
Website: Christmas Lights of Hope-Carmi, IL on Facebook
Cost: Donations appreciated
Holiday Lights Fair
The 24th annual event includes 3 miles of lighted displays. The Exhibition Hall will be open Friday-Sunday the first three weekends of December with food, craft and merchandise vendors.
Location: Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, 655 Executive Drive, Du Quoin
Dates: Nov. 23-Dec. 30, 2023
Hours: 5-9 p.m. nightly
Website: duquointourism.org
Cost: $10 per car Monday-Thursday and $20 per car Friday-Sunday
A December to Remember
Visit the Kitchell Park beginning December 2, see over 100 of the best displays in the area!
Location: Kitchell Park, Rt 51 South, Pana
Dates: Dec. 2 – Dec. 31, 2023
Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/Pana-IL-A-December-to-Remember/100083408827696/
Please note that this list doesn’t include every drive-thru light display in Illinois. There are many in the Chicago area, and several others didn’t have details available at the time of publication.
