Festival Of Lights In Aurora: Free Display Show Kicks Off In November

AURORA, IL — A mile of sparkling lights during a month of magical nights. That's what visitors can expect of the Aurora Festival of Lights that kicks off Nov. 25.

The festival — dubbed the largest free drive-thru holiday light display in the region — will return to Phillips Park for the 17th year with "dazzling displays and merry music that will delight children and adults." The holiday event will run nightly from 5-9 p.m. through Christmas Day.

Admission is free, but each vehicle must register for an entry ticket via Eventbrite.

Visitors can expect to see jumping reindeer, ice skating bears, howling wolves, Santa's toy factory and fields of giant snowflakes, among new displays. The light show will be synced with holiday songs playing on a closed-circuit radio station.

In 2022, more than 50,000 vehicles attended the festival, city officials said. Although entry is free, participants have the option to leave at-will donations at the exit. Last year, $80,000 was collected to support "Lighting the Way" grants for Aurora nonprofit and youth organizations.

"Gather the family, bundle up, jump in the car and make holiday memories," organizers wrote on Eventbrite.