Take the Illinois Patch 2021 Tour O' Holiday Lights

ILLINOIS — Haul out the holly, the plastic blow molds, LED lights and synchronized music, because we all need a little Christmas. We've rounded up the best reader-submitted residential (and one liquor store) holiday light displays in Chicagoland. From towering reindeer and illuminated pigs to the most outlandish Clark W. Griswold displays that can be seen from space, these spectacular light displays are definitely worth a drive-by.

This year, we’re awarding a $100 Amazon gift card for the best display, so email your photos and a description by Dec. 13 to lorraine.swanson@patch.com. Don’t forget to include your address.

A few of you got so excited that you forget to include your address, so check your email. Send us some photos and/or links to videos of your Christmas light display. We prefer that the homeowner submit his or her own yard, or an immediate neighbor or close relative.

So set your GPS and explore displays near your town, or go completely nuts and visit all of them. We'll keep updating the list through Dec. 24, so keep an eye on your daily morning newsletters and the Patch Facebook pages.

Cook County/Chicago

Bridgeview

7807 W. 74th Place, Bridgeview — Known as the "Clark W. Griswold of Bridgeview," Jim Pavel is a third-generation lawn decorator. His family has been decorating since the early 1960s. Jim's light display is a combination of store-brought and homemade decorations. A computerized light show is synchronized to several Christmas songs, broadcast on a radio station so you can enjoy it from the warmth of your car. This year he's added a quartet of singing Christmas trees. Jim has been decorating for over 40 years helping his grandfather set up lights as a kid. The display runs nightly from 4 to 10 p.m.

7416 S Octavia Ave Bridgeview — Jim Pavel loves decorating houses so much he also does his parents' house. Sadly, Jim's dad, the master who taught him the art of outdoor lawn decorating, passed away in January 2020. We think this is a dazzling tribute! Jim's dad's art lives on.

Evanston

1828 Brown Ave, Evanston — Carlos Martinez did a great job on his house. His Nativity is beautiful.

Evergreen Park

March of the Pigs, 2708 W. 90th Place, Evergreen Park — Jennifer Obecunas holds the unofficial Guinness World Record for the most illuminated pigs in a holiday yard display. This quirky display features hundreds of illuminated pigs. Guinness told Jennifer that to be officially recognized as a world record holder, she needs 1,000 pigs. We think she should start putting pigs on her roof. One of our faves and must-stop on the tour.

Harwood Heights

6716 w Senior Place, Harwood Heights

Hickory Hills

8848 West 92nd Place, Hickory Hills – Prepare to be dazzled at Michal Selvek’s dazzling display in Hickory Hills.

Hometown

4546 W. 89th Place, Hometown — Hometown's Unforgiven Halloween display has gone from scary to cheerful! Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. daily. Features lots of lights, vintage blow molds, and a touch of Disney.

LaGrange/LaGrange Park

The Nightmare Before Christmas on Homestead, 836 Homestead Road, La Grange Park — "Jack Skellington came here from Halloween Town. You'll notice his handiwork scattered around, This year he's decided to play Sandy Claws, but when Halloween create Christmas, you may see a few flaws." The winner of the Patch Scary Yard Tour, Don Coglianese and family set their sights on carefully crafting “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

Spread Joy, 916 South Ashland Ave., LaGrange — Ingrid Kwak is spreading joy by collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries in the collection bin by the parkway. In 2020, the family collected and donated over 8,000 items to local food pantries and are looking to make 10,000 items this year. Come enjoy the lights and Candy Cane Lane, where you will find candy canes for the kids on the weekends, music and great photo opportunities.

Lemont

Lit Lemont, 13760 Kettering Parkway Circle, Lemont — Formerly Lit Lockport, the DiSabatos packed up their holiday light show and unpacked it in Lemont. Lit Lemont offers fun for the whole family, including 5,000 choreographed lights synced to a fun mix of holiday and party music. Drive up and tune your car radio to 92.9 FM to hear the lights. Please be courteous to the neighbors and don’t block their libraries.

Chuchla Family Lights, 12032 Center Drive, Lemont — A fun Christmas light show synchronized to music. The show runs through Jan. 6: from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The show runs until at least 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve so you can enjoy it after midnight church services. Tune your car radio to 95.1 FM to hear the music. The show runs continuously in a 70-minute loop with an eight-minute intermission between each loop.

North Riverside

2524 S. 8th Ave., North Riverside — Every Saturday Santa makes a stop between noon and 7 p.m. at this cheerful display.

Oak Forest

4436 Lisa Lane, Oak Forest — Parker Tade put up most of his family's Christmas display. We think he has the makings of greatness. The lights are synchronized to a variety of Christmas songs. Lights are on 4:30 to 11 p.m.

14808 Temple St., Oak Forest — There’s a lot of light in Oak Forest, thanks to Johnny Jones’ yard.

15452 Laramie Ave., Oak Forest — Peter and Melissa Pedzimaz have a lovely display in Oak Forest.

Oak Lawn

10337 S. Kenneth, Oak Lawn — Claire Smith submitted this photo of her dad, Phil Smith’s, light display. From what Claire tells us, a majority of their neighbors have decorated their homes so head over there for winter wonderment.

10111 S. Kildare Ave., Oak Lawn — John and Tracy Schorle's display features a towering light tree. The lights are all RGB computer controlled lights set to music. Tune to 88.1 FM to listen. Check out the pair of 10-foot tall trees that talk to each other. Three songs are featured in a 10-minute light show.

Christmas on Furry Lane, 10225 Washington Ave., Oak Lawn — Christmas can be a furry affair at Velma Schwien’s house from live actors Winter Wolf or Galaxy Wolf, musical lighting, and blinking snowmen.

9612 S. Natoma Avenue, Oak Lawn — Pat and Linda Pulver have turned their front yard into a candy cane forest. Mentioning his wife's name should keep Pat off the naughty list.

Snowman House, 9929 Harnew Road West, Oak Lawn — Burl Ives would love the Lionberg family's "Snowman House." Over 80 snowmen cover the Lionbergs' yard and their neighbor’s yard. We’re sure they accumulated a few more since last year. People can stop by from 6 to 10 p.m. and even take pictures with snowmen.

9704 S. Tripp Ave., Oak Lawn — Hurry over to Brian Mayo's wonderful display in Oak Lawn featuring thousands of twinkling lights. He challenges everyone to a light war.

9224 S Tripp Ave, Oak Lawn — Larry Tripp has been lighting up his house for years. His display has grown over the years, but so have the trees. “I do this without ladders, so my reach is limited, although I did use one to get on top of house.” We’re glad Larry isn't climbing his trees, and so is his wife, Mary Kay. Larry's back yard looks pretty fabulous too.

Orland Park/Orland Hills

Old Orland Winter Wonderland, 10260 W. 144th Street, Orland Park — This inviting display features Hundreds of thousands of lights around all four corners of the home and property, showcasing their 50-foot evergreen in the front yard with beautiful clear lights, and herd of 6-feet-tall reindeer in the yard. Lights are on from 5 p.m. to midnight

8518 W 157th St., Orland Park — An elegant home with a nicely composed display. We love the little house on the front lawn, and there is a projector.

11592 Glenview Drive, Orland Park

16551 Brigitte Court, Orland Hills -- Welcome to the Krueger Christmas Light Show where the trees talk and sing. Tune into 90.3FM on your car radio and enjoy the show.

14601 Poplar Court, Orland Park — No spot of the Harske family’s lawn is left bare in this shiny display, which is covered by over 300 blow molds, ruled by a 10-foot-tall snowman and Christmas tree. The newest addition is an 8-person choir. Lights are on every day from dusk to 11:30 p.m.

15441 Sunset Ridge Dr, Orland Park – The Quinns enjoy decorating with blow molds and other figures to brighten the night sky.

Palos Heights

12311 S 69th Court, Palos Heights — An elegant composition of red, green and white lights in this Palos Heights display. Animated holiday projections deck the windows with music outside. The basketball back board is also lit up. Lights are on from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Posen

Santa’s Corner, 14846 Whipple St., Posen — Dean and Natalie’s Sortarican goal to make people smile. They’ve decked their house and entire corner with lights. At last writing, Dean was adding even more lights.

Riverside

Santa’s Village, 144 North Delaplaine, Riverside — The Sharp House brings back memories of the early days of the Christmas-inspired amusement park in East Dundee, where a kid could visit Santa on a 90-degree day in the middle of July. This walk-thru Santa’s Village is entirely handmade. All the houses were built and decorated for Christmas. There is also an inflatable Santa to take pictures with, and a homemade replica of the historic Riverside Water tower. We suggest a safety pop tree be added next year. Awesome.

Duff House, 140 N Delaplaine Rd, Riverside — A few doors down from the Sharp House is this Clark Griswold extravaganza. This full walk-thru display features Santa’s sleigh where you can sit for pictures with nine tiny reindeer, including Rudolph. There is also a forest of lit up trees from a dancing 6-foot Grinch with Max to a dancing singing Santa. Even Buddy the Elf and Clark Griswold made an appearance. Definitely stop by this block if you’re in the Riverside area.

Skokie

5024 Fargo Ave., Skokie — There’s nothing we love more than a synchronized light display with a good playlist. Tune your radio into 89.7 FM for Jones Brobbey’s cheerful light show.

Tinley Park

Christmas Land Display, 7830 Whittington Dr Tinley Park — We are loving Nick and Sheena Schuber’s mid-century display, harkening back to the 1960s, including a vintage sleigh and reindeer teams on the roof. There is even a Polk Brothers’ Jolly Polk Santa, considered the holy grail of blow molds, reigning over 200 vintage blow mold figurines. Visit the Schubers’ Facebook page and play their Christmas I Spy game, where you can find figures in their display. On select nights, Santa Claus will be out front to hear Christmas wishes and take photos. The yard is lit from 5 p.m. to midnight through Dec. 23, and will guide the real Santa’s sleigh to Tinley Park through dawn Dec. 24 and Dec. 25; and 5 to 10 p.n. Dec. 26 to Jan. 6.

8719 Kathleen Lane, Tinley Park — Jim Kuhn’s winter hot spot features lots of flickering light and blowups. A plane with a flashing runway and a helicopter with a flashing helipad are highlights of the display. Bound to attract a few planes from Midway Airport as well.

8706 Kathleen Lane,Tinley Park — This is a walk-through display, so get out of the car and prepare to be dazzled.

16409 Surrey Drive, Tinley Park — All we can say is Tinley Park is one brightly lit village. Timothy Bartz’s yard twinkles like tinsel with his elegant archways and walls of lights.

Snowman House, 7414 W. 161st St., Tinley Park — The Monreal family made a splash last year with their display. We love the snowman face on the garage.

O’Connor Christmas Lights, 7414 W. 162nd Place, Tinley Park — Scott O’Connor spent all of November putting lights up on his house and yard. He invites visitors to tune into 105.7 FM in their car and get out and look around. He's collection donations for Together We Cope.

Blow Mold Village, 17037 Creekside Ave, Tinley Park – Omg! We love Patrick Coyne’s “Blow Mold Village” in Tinley Park. His display features over 125 blow mold figurines in his yard, presided over by a 20-foot tall inflatable Santa. He keeps adding pieces every year and turns his kids’ play houses into display pieces.

Westchester

1827 Portsmouth Ave, Westchester — Peter Marzano has hooked up his light display with remote control lights to WiFi and RIF.

DuPage County

Carol Stream

Candy Cane Canyon, 371 Canyon Trail, Carol Stream — An elaborate display featuring a life-sized Gingerbread House, 9-foot-tall nutcrackers, 20 trees decorated by elves and snowmen, and synchronized lights. Tune into 1010.5 FM. You gotta see it!

1214 Easton Drive Carol Stream — This year, the show will feature 9,033 lights, sequenced to Christmas classics and other popular songs. Be sure to look out for the Singing Christmas Tree, Singing Light Bulbs, and the 16-foot tall mega tree.

Darien

7809 Farmingdale Drive, Darien — Gabrielle Walker is nominating her husband, Brent, and hopes everyone enjoys his hard work on his lovely light display.

Downers Grove

2308 College Road, Downers Grove — Stop by and enjoy some holiday cheer at Diane Duncan’s whimsical holiday display featuring inflatables and music for the family to enjoy. The lights are on daily from 5 to 9 p.m. through New Year’s Day, weather permitting for the inflatables.

Lombard

Lights on Pinebrook, 880 Pinebrook Drive, Lombard — Roll your windows down to listen to the music sync with Dan Tobin’s light show.

417 S. Sleight St., Naperville — Nikki Svejda and Marc Poulos are new to the Naperville community. Their display features a 7-foot stuffed Santa bear along with 8-foot-tall musical nutcrackers. There is a Santa mailbox that’s checked daily. Nikki and Marc can’t grant children’s wishes, but do their best to get the letters back to the kiddos’ parents. Looky-loos are welcome to take photos with the big bear.

704 W Jefferson Ave., Naperville — One of the many light wars happening in Naperville. Good luck, Caroline Senetar.

Naper Light Show, 3111 Wolfe Ct., Naperville — This outstanding interactive light display is synced to music, where viewers can vote on the next song played via their smartphones. In addition to the lights and music, there is also a virtual Santa in the window to wave hi to kids. Through New Year's Eve. Sun. - Thur. 4:30 to 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 4:30 to 11 p.m.

Wheaton

1021 E. Illinois St., Wheaton – Michael Evans starts his Christmas lights before Halloween. He takes great pride in providing beautiful lights for the community. He’s always adding new ideas and his creativity to the lights. The dinosaur is the most requested item by young boys in the neighborhood, who eagerly ask when “Dino” will be going up.

Kane County

Aurora

1293 Yellowpine Drive Aurora – Bobbie Seaburg is looking for a name for her amazing holiday light show. We suggest “Studio 54,” the celebrity-studded New York City disco of the 1970s. Tune into 89.9 FM and watch the dancing lights, lasers, swash lights and a DISCO BALL, and save the last dance for Santa. There’s even a spinning Christmas tree in the front window.

Elgin

The Elgin Holiday 6, 1630-1651 Saint Andrews Circle Elgin – Six neighbors got together and mass decorated their homes for Christmas 2021. The houses are connected by 40 tech-controlled, synchronized arches. The overall theme is called, “Arches of Hope and Dreams Coming True At The North Pole.” The display features a Christmas train, Santa’s Workshop, a candy cane conveyor belt carrying presents to Santa’s sleigh, an animated runway and much, much more. Animated elves also toss presents to each other across the rooftops. This block is definitely worth a drive-thru. We give it ten candy canes!

Montgomery

Foss Family Light Show, 3130 Whirlaway Lane, Montgomery — A combination of pixels and LED lights featuring a mega tree, ice queen, matrix, arches and many lawn props all set to music 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily, listen on 107.7 FM. This one will truly get stuck in your head.

Hope and Joy, 269 Landfield Road, Batavia — Eric Rud’s beautiful display is highlighted by sidewalk arches, a wall of snowflakes and a large star on the roof.

Kendall County

Oswego

603 Forest Ave., Oswego — Jim and Sue Svehla’s 22nd year lighting up Oswego, featuring dozens of vintage blow molds. “As I was setting it up thinking how if a 10-year-old saw it 22 years ago they would be 32 years old now and maybe stopping by with their own little ones to see the lights. I try to Set up in little scenes not just putting them any old way, like Santa with tree and gifts, North Pole with snowman, polar bear and penguins. Also, Mickey and Minnie singing carols.”

Oswego Lights 701 N Sparkle Ct, Oswego — More than 45,000 lights are synchronized to Scott and Emily Bialas’ an hour-long music show, featuring two mega trees, candy canes, snowflakes and more. Amazing!

602 Plymouth Ct, Oswego — Omar Sandoval’s beautifully composed display offers a hugging bear and LED lighting.

Lake County

Borgetti Holiday Light Show, 301 High Point Dr, Lindenhurst — The Borgetti’s avant garde light show features 4,500 individual pixels all programmed to music including a 20-foot tall Mega Tree.

McHenry County

Algonquin

1851 Broadsmore Drive, Algonquin — The Christian Family's Snoopy display features 108 candy canes and 30 Snoopy's. Can you find them all?

1210 Menoma Trail, Algonquin — Mike Gifford loves to make people smile by the “old school” lights. “We love seeing the house while we go down the street. Neighbors seem to enjoy it too,” wife LeAnn writes. “We try and do more every year.”

Village of Lakewood

5840 Highland Lane, Village of Lakewood — Jen and Tom Allen's stunning Currier and Ives display features a life-size nativity, Santa and reindeer. Lights are on 4 p.m. to midnight.

Will County

Bolingbrook

419 Callery Drive, Bolingbrook — Jamie Gwin has over 12,000 lights, 65 candy canes and an 8-foot snow globe that shows various Christmas scenes. On some nights music plays outside.

Channahon

26158 Oakridge Court, Channahon — This year, Jerry Kosek is going for a Twilight Zone at Ground Zero theme, appropriate for weird 2020. Animations are projected on one side of the house, synced with talking and singing faces on the front of the house, with lights on the other side of the house. Jerry's also added a fog machine this year to make DMX lasers and moving headlights stand out. On weekends and the holidays, he runs a snow machine over the garage. "We try to keep things a little unusual and comical as far as Christmas displays go, which seems like a good idea this year." Display runs 6 to 10 p.m.

Elwood

19425 W Mississippi Avenue, Elwood – Imagine driving along a country road and seeing these cheery white lights come into view. A close relative of Brandon Duering decks out his 2.25 acre lot. This year, he added a crashed sleigh and tow truck with a custom red and green light bar.

Frankfort

Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, 22177 Somerset Court, Frankfort — Lots of reindeer games going in Andy Pavlacka’s wonderful display, featuring inflatables and over 100 strings of lights, capped by a 15-foot inflatable Rudolph that may or may not be up, depending on weather conditions. The winter wonderland is lit from 4:30 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1.

Hickory Creek Holidays, 20822 S Hickory Creek Place, Frankfort — Enjoy Jackie and Nate Rians’ Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Carol of the Bells” light show from 6 to 10 p.m. Tune into to 91.3 FM.

23047 Lakeview Estates Blvd, Frankfort – Bill Steinhauser and his family does a lavish display every Christmas. His son, Dominic, has CHARGE syndrome and is obsessed with inflatable, so much so that they currently have over 100 in our yard, including a 20-foot-tall Frosty the Snowman. The issue with inflatables is that if the wind is higher than 10-15 knots, they have to remain flat. To make up for it, they have added a light show with synchronized music, which you can tune into at 89.3 FM. Thee inflatables (wind willing) are up 4 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Catch the synchronized light show from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight on the weekends. On Thursday, Dec. 23, the Steinhausers will be collecting donations for CHARGE from 6 to 8 p.m.

Homer Glen

14635 Saddle Brooke Lane, Homer Glen — Robert Szajkovics’ synchronized light show goes on at dusk and runs to 10:30 p.m. Tune into 95.3 FM and enjoy the show.

Festive Fiskows, 13115 Sage Ct Homer Glen — It doesn't get anymore festive than the Fiskows house. The lawn is decked out with 200 blow molds and a tree with covered in 4,600 lights. They put on a terrific Halloween display as well, so you know it's going to be wild.

The Creamery, 15112 S Bell Rd, Homer Glen — The Creamery not only serves up and caters events with its ice cream creations, it puts on a heck of a synchronized holiday light show, with a 30-foot-tall mega tree on the roof. The show plays nightly from 5 to 10 p.m.

Joliet

Smith's Christmas Candy Land, 3433 Pandola Ave, Joliet — Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew, cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two — Ramona Smith can! We could just eat this display up, featuring candy canes, gingerbread and Santa's archway. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday Dec. 10-11, and Dec. 17-18. The Smiths are also collecting items for the Will County Human Society.

MeeMaw’s House, 1106 Kinmonth Drive, Joliet — Walk through Michael Zabel's beautiful archway lights into a winter wonderland. We love Santa in the boat and Santa in the helicopter.

3711 Thoroughbred Lane, Joliet – This Joliet home is awash in blue. Lovely.

1805 Clarence Road, Joliet

Lockport

Fantasy At The Fireplace, 1320 Newbridge Avenue, Lockport — Warren and Lois Durling’s display features a rotating Christmas tree, revolving candy cane ferries wheel and snow people bouncing on a teeter totter. Lit from dusk to 10 p.m., later as Christmas approaches. Check out the snowman orchestra.

1318 Foxford Lane, Lockport — Singing trees, numerous vintage blow molds, and Disney pieces complete this holiday lawn tableau. Lights are daily from 5 to 11 p.m.

Manhattan

24361 Shawnee Lane, Manhattan — The Hessers have a charming 3-D projection display that gets a fair amount of traffic. (They were also on Patch's tour of scary yards.) The display is designed on a computer by hand. Runs nightly from 6 to 10:30 p.m., with audio broadcast on FM radio.

Mokena

11508 Ashbury Ct. , Mokena —For 30 years Joe Smolinski has been adding something new to his Christmas display on his one acre-lot. Between 2017 and 2019 he converted everything to LED, so it's brighter and certainly more energy efficient. But this year his techie wife, Mary Ellen, got really involved. They've set this fabulous old-fashioned Christmas display to MUSIC! They started small with only five songs, but this year their play list has swelled to seven songs. They’re sharing their Christmas Light and Music Show to benefit the Working On Wellness Foundation.

11040 Elmwood Court, Mokena — Jayson Taylor and Kellee Uelman have decked their yard with an amazing amount of LED lights, blow-ups, Christmas music and even the famous Clark Griswold is sitting outside. Their realistic Santa Claus sings by a Christmas tree full of candy canes for visitors to take and enjoy. In 2020, Jayson and Kellee won third place in Mokena’s best Christmas decoration contest. They’ve entered this year and are eagerly waiting for the results. “We hope everyone enjoys the Christmas lights and decorations.”

Monee

25658 S Kensington Lane, Monee — Eugene Reyna’s little patch of Christmas features lots of homemade decorations. Lights come on at dusk daily until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Plainfield

11734 S Olympic Drive, Plainfield — Come walk through the gingerbread house, follow the path to see Santa and his reindeer, 15-foot Rudolph, listen to the singing Santas and so much more.

Chestnut Hill Lights, 1907 Chestnut Hill Road, Plainfield — Eric Voelz’s beautiful display is set to music. The lights change and move in sequence to five holiday songs, along with two singing trees and an 18-foot Christmas tree.

1612 Whisper Glen Drive, Plainfield — Another Plainfield beauty.

Plainfield

23833 W Dayfield Dr. Plainfield – We love Jim S.’s whimsical display in Plainfield.

Shorewood

Williams Winter Wonderland, 1109 Butterfield Circle W, Shorewood — This Winter Wonderland is straight out of Christmas Vacation, draped in a veil of lights. These Griswolders deck the house from top to bottom in super bright LED lights, and it doesn’t stop there. For a special treat, the front window has been sprinkled with Christmas magic and shows you exactly what’s going on at the North Pole. And don’t forget to bring your letter to Santa to receive a reply from the big guy himself.

There's still time to get on the list. Send photos of your winter wonderland to lorraine.swanson@patch.com, or let us know if you would like Patch to use last year's photos.