Merry And Bright: Chicago Area Displays Open For Holidays

CHICAGO AREA, IL — They are the best and brightest of holiday lights displays in the Chicago area, and many will soon be flipping their switches for the first time this holiday season — and some are already under way.

From Illumination at the Morton Arboretum, which will again offer walking tours after switching to a drive-thru format last year, to the Chicago Botanic Garden's popular Lightscape, families will want to grab their tickets before they sell out. One light show, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, is even free on select days, but you'll still want to nab tickets in advance.

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We've got the run down below on what you need to go if you go to any of the Chicago area's best light shows this year:

Illumination Lights Up Morton Arboretum, Walk-Thru Option Returns

Visitors can once again stroll through Morton Arboretum to see thousands of holiday lights sparkling during the 2021 installment of "Illumination: Tree Lights." The popular exhibit, which will transform the arboretum grounds into a twinkling winter wonderland starting Nov. 20, required visitors to stay in their cars in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Holiday tunes, colorful lights and crackling fires will set the scene as guests follow a one-mile path that will feature five new lights displays in addition to several familiar favorites. The new displays for 2021 Illumination include 150 brightly hued lanterns that will light up the summit of Frost Hill, a "gateway" of lights that leads the way to Meadow Lake and a light installation that adorns "Hallow," part of artist Daniel Popper's Human + Nature exhibit.

"Every year since its inception, we have embraced The Morton Arboretum's mission as the champion of trees," said "Illumination" lighting designer John Featherstone of Lightswitch.

On Nov. 18 and 19, Morton Arboretum will host Illumibrew, a special preview event that includes beer tastings. "Illumination" will officially open on Nov. 20 and will light up the arboretum through Jan. 2, 2020. You can buy tickets here.

Popular Lightscape Makes Its 2021 Debut

The popular Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, opens Friday and sells out each year.

An illuminated trail through the garden includes an all-new path filled with artistic installations and inventive new works, according to the Chicago Botanic Garden. There are thousands of twinkling lights and "playful musical trees" along a 1.25-mile path.

Tickets are available for select dates from Nov. 12 through Jan. 2, 2022. The show runs from 4:30 to 11 p.m. You can get more information and purchase tickets here.

Train Ride To The 'North Pole'

The Holiday Express at Aurora's Blackberry Farm, a holiday favorite for many suburban families, will again begin chugging around Lake Gregory starting in December. Children, and their parents, can enjoy a ride on a steam-engine train while taking in thousands of glittering lights and lighted candy canes illuminated along walking paths.

The nearly one-mile trek ends at the farm's North Pole Oasis, where Santa awaits.

"The train is the centerpiece of the park, and our most popular attraction throughout the year," said Becky Harling, facility manager at Blackberry Farm. "And when you add a storyline and a little bit of imagination, the 10-minute ride becomes a magical journey to a faraway land."

The train will be up and running on select dates in December at the farm, 100 S. Barnes Road in Aurora. The display is one of the more affordable options in the Chicago area, with tickets to the farm, which includes "unlimited train rides," selling for $8 per person

"The best part about Holiday Express is seeing how much people enjoy it, kids and adults alike," Harling said. "The spirit of the season is ageless and, no matter how old we are, the child in us remains.

Tickets are available now for the Holiday Express.

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Returns

Brookfield Zoo will once again light up at night, allowing zoo goers to enjoy some holiday magic while also catching a glimpse of their favorite animals. The zoo is requiring advanced purchase of tickets and timed reservations this year.

The show has more than 2 million twinkling lights, illuminated animal structures and a 60o-foot tunnel of lights. The skating rink opens from noon to 4:30 p.m. starting on Saturday and will offer nighttime hours once Holiday Magic debuts on Nov. 26. New this year is a "sea of lights," which is more than two miles of lights.

The light show, at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, is taking reservations now for the holiday season. Reservations are available from 3 to 9 p.m. on select dates starting Nov. 26 and continuing through Dec. 31. You can get more information and make a reservation here.

Let It Shine Drive-Thru Lights Up In Northbrook, Aurora, Schaumburg

The "Let it Shine" light show opened at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora and Wintrust Field in Schaumburg and opened last week at Northbrook Court in Northbrook. With more than 1 million LED lights, the drive-thru show requires just one ticket per vehicle. Here are more details on the shows:

Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook: Open nightly from 4:30 to 11 p.m. from Nov. 5 to Jan. 9, 2022. Buy tickets here.

Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora; and Wintrust Field, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg: Open nightly from 4:30 to 11 p.m. starting Friday, Nov. 12, through Jan. 9, 2022. Buy tickets for the Aurora show here and tickets for the Schaumburg show here.

ZooLights Offering Free Entrance On Select Days

The Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights will kick off on Nov. 19 and continue on select dates through Jan. 2. Admission is free on Mondays and Tuesday. Otherwise, tickets are $5. This year’s ZooLights will again feature hundreds of luminous LED displays and seasonal experiences, all under the glow of millions of lights. Nightly capacity will be limited and tickets are required. More information and tickets are now available online.

Holiday In The Park At Six Flags Has Drive-Thru and Walk-Thru Options

Holiday in the Park will return on Nov. 26 with more than 2.5 million lights and plenty of entertainment at the theme park at 1 Great Parkway in Gurnee. The rides will not be up and running, but there will be 2.5 million sparkling lights for visitors to enjoy. The park will offer a walk-thru and drive-thru experience. You can get more information and purchase tickets online.

Santa's Rock N Lights Drive-Thru Returns To Lake County

More than 700 feet of tunnels with dancing lights and larger-than-life 3D polar bears and dinosaurs make up this drive-thru display at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road in Grayslake. The show runs daily starting on Nov. 19 and tickets are available for purchase online.