# Christmas lights in Chicago for little kids, 2026

> 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: 2026-10-30
- 5 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/christmas-lights/
- Santa (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/santa/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/llms.txt

## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **ZooLights** at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 1, 8, 15, 24 and 25). Time: 4:30–9pm (last entry 8pm). Price: $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. A sensory-friendly night is Nov 24. Official page: https://www.lpzoo.org/event/zoolights/
- **Holiday Magic** at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513. When: Select nights Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 3–9pm. Price: From $29.95; free for members. Official page: https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/events/holiday-magic
- **Illumination** at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. When: Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: Evening timed entry. Price: Dated tickets; price on the ticket page. A one-mile paved trail that works for strollers. A sensory night is Nov 17. Official page: https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination/
- **Kohlights** at Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026. When: Nov 27, 28 and Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 2026. Time: Early entry 4:30–7pm; regular 5:30–7pm. Price: $20 early, $18 regular ($15 members). Made for kids up to 8. Official page: https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/special-events/kohlights/
- **Naper Settlement Tree Lighting Ceremony** at Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St, Naperville, IL 60540. When: Wed Nov 18, 2026. Time: 5-7pm, ceremony at 5:15pm. Price: Free, registration requested. Santa stops by, and there are hot drinks and cookies on the museum grounds after the lighting. Official page: https://www.napersettlement.org/742/Tree-Lighting-Ceremony

## Light displays that come back every year

- [Illumination](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/illumination-morton-arboretum/): next dates Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
- [ZooLights](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/zoolights-lincoln-park-zoo/): next dates Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- [Holiday Magic](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/holiday-magic-brookfield-zoo-chicago/): next dates Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- [Kohlights](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/kohlights-kohl-childrens-museum/): next dates Nov 27 – Dec 20, 2026

## Christmas trains near Chicago

- [Christmas train rides near Chicago](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/christmas-trains/index.md): Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more, 5 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.

## More holiday outings in Chicago

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Chicago](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/nutcracker/index.md): 6 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Chicago](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/christmas-markets/index.md): 7 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Are there free Christmas lights in Chicago?
Yes. Naper Settlement Tree Lighting Ceremony is free in 2026.

### What’s the cheapest Christmas light show in Chicago?
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.

### Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (five here) are better for kids who want to run around.

### What time do the Christmas lights start in Chicago? We have an early bedtime.
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.

### How do you check these Christmas lights listings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).