Christmas parades 2026Chicago · The Windy City

Christmas parades and tree lightings in Chicago, 2026.

We found ten Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Chicago with 2026 dates: seven parades and three tree lightings and lighting nights, nine free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: Nov 21 · Parade at 5:30pm. Plus 6 more.7 paradesWhen’s the tree lighting?City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Nov 20 · 6pm. Plus 2 more.3 lightingsIs it free?9 of 10 are free to watch; the rest list a price.9 freeDaytime or after dark?3 daytime, 7 in the evening. Each card is marked.7 evening

Last checked · 10 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

20NovFriCity of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonyTree lighting · 6pm21NovSatWintrust Magnificent Mile Lights FestivalParade · Parade at 5:30pm26NovThuChicago Thanksgiving ParadeParade · 7:45–10am27NovFriDowners Grove Main Street Tree Lighting CeremonyTree lighting · 4:30pm28NovSatGlenview Holiday in the Park & ParadeParade · 4-6pm5DecSatWestmont Frosty & Friends ParadeParade · Carol sing-along 4:45pm, parade 5pm, then the tree lighting and free photos with Santa at the train station5DecSatLights of Lisle Santa ParadeParade · Festivities 2:30-6:30pm5DecSatCrete Country Christmas Parade of LightsParade · 6pm5DecSatBrookfield Holiday Celebration and Tree LightingTree lighting · 10am-6pm6DecSunTinley Park Parade of LightsParade · 5pm

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around Chicago

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Dec5Sat

Lights of Lisle Santa Parade

Downtown Lisle · Lisle, about 25 miles west

ParadeFreeDaytime
Time
Festivities 2:30-6:30pm; parade 4:30pm, tree lighting after at Village Hall
Price
Free

Good to know: Mr. and Mrs. Claus are at the Lisle Station Park train depot 3-7pm.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near Chicago

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Dec5Sat

Brookfield Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting

Kris Kringle Market and trolley stops around Brookfield · Brookfield

Tree lightingDaytime
Time
10am-6pm; tree lighting in the evening
Price
See event page

Good to know: Santa and his elves answer letters, a trolley links stops with a petting zoo and woodcarving demos, and the village tree is lit as the day ends.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s added

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

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

City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonyNext: Nov 20, 2026Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights FestivalNext: Nov 21, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in Chicago

November: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in ChicagoFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in ChicagoFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in ChicagoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in ChicagoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in ChicagoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in ChicagoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in ChicagoKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas trains in ChicagoPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in ChicagoBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in ChicagoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in ChicagoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in ChicagoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas parades in Chicago: the FAQ

Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, Parade at 5:30pm (Magnificent Mile). Chicago Thanksgiving Parade: Thu, Nov 26, 2026, 7:45–10am (Loop). Glenview Holiday in the Park & Parade: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 4-6pm (Glenview). Westmont Frosty & Friends Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Carol sing-along 4:45pm, parade 5pm, then the tree lighting and free photos with Santa at the train station (Westmont, about 20 miles west). Plus three more on this page.

City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, near Michigan Ave. & Washington St.: Fri, Nov 20, 2026, 6pm. Downers Grove Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony at Main Street Train Station, Downers Grove: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 4:30pm. Brookfield Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting at Kris Kringle Market and trolley stops around Brookfield: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 10am-6pm; tree lighting in the evening.

Nine of the ten we list are free to watch: City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Chicago Thanksgiving Parade and Downers Grove Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Lights of Lisle Santa Parade and Brookfield Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Chicago that weekend, parades included.

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