Five Christmas light displays in and around Chicago have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. One is free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 7 p.m. at Kohlights. They’re spread over four areas, from Chicago to Naperville. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Checked Oct 26 on the official page
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Checked Oct 26 on the official page
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Checked Oct 26 on the official page
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Checked Oct 26 on the official page
Report a problemNaper Settlement · 523 S Webster St, Naperville, IL 60540
Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. Illumination opens first, on Nov 14. Illumination, ZooLights and Holiday Magic run into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 4:20 p.m. in Chicago (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
7 p.m. start · plan about an hour
Early entry 4:30–7pm; regular 5:30–7pm
7 p.m. start · plan about an hour
5-7pm, ceremony at 5:15pm
9 p.m. start · plan about an hour
4:30–9pm (last entry 8pm)
9 p.m. start · plan about an hour
3–9pm
No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.
Picks: ZooLights, Holiday Magic, Illumination, Kohlights and 1 more
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZooLights | $7–$12 ahead for set dates, $20 day-of; free Mondays except Dec 21 and 28 with tickets released a week ahead; everyone needs a ticket | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Holiday Magic | From $29.95; free for members | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Illumination | Dated tickets; price on the ticket page | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Kohlights | $20 early, $18 regular ($15 members) | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Naper Settlement Tree Lighting Ceremony | Free, registration requested | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 10 Santa outings in and around Chicago: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
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Yes. Naper Settlement Tree Lighting Ceremony is free in 2026.
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: ZooLights ($7–$12 ahead for set dates, $20 day-of; free Mondays except Dec 21 and 28 with tickets released a week ahead; everyone needs a ticket); Kohlights ($20 early, $18 regular ($15 members)); Holiday Magic (From $29.95; free for members). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (five here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Kohlights at 7 p.m., Naper Settlement Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. and ZooLights at 9 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
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One short email every Thursday evening with what works for ages 0–6 in Chicago that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.
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Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Chicago
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Things to do with kids in Chicago in November · Things to do with kids in Chicago in December
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The Nutcracker with kids in Chicago: 6 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. Christmas markets in Chicago: 7 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.
Illumination