# 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 10 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
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## Christmas parades

- **Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival** at Michigan Avenue, Magnificent Mile. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Time: Parade at 5:30pm. Price: Free to watch. Official page: https://www.themagnificentmile.com/lights-festival (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Chicago Thanksgiving Parade** at State Street, Loop. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 7:45–10am. Price: Free to watch. Official page: https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/special-events/chicago-thanksgiving-day-parade/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Glenview Holiday in the Park & Parade** at Glenview Road to Jackman Park, 1011 Lehigh Avenue, Glenview, Glenview. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 4-6pm. Price: Free. The parade heads west on Glenview Road to Jackman Park, where Santa, hay rides, a kids' train ride, carolers and hot chocolate wait. Official page: https://business.glenviewchamber.com/events/details/holiday-in-the-park-parade-11-28-2026-7758 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Westmont Frosty & Friends Parade** at Cass Ave. from Naperville Rd. to W. Quincy St., Westmont, about 20 miles west. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Carol sing-along 4:45pm, parade 5pm, then the tree lighting and free photos with Santa at the train station. Price: Free. Official page: https://westmont.illinois.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2442 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Lights of Lisle Santa Parade** at Downtown Lisle, Lisle, about 25 miles west. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Festivities 2:30-6:30pm; parade 4:30pm, tree lighting after at Village Hall. Price: Free. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are at the Lisle Station Park train depot 3-7pm. Official page: https://villageoflisle.org/271/Lights-of-Lisle (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Crete Country Christmas Parade of Lights** at Main St., northbound to First St., Crete, about 35 miles south. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 6pm. Price: Free. Part of Crete Country Christmas, Dec. 3-8, with a tree lighting on Dec. 3 and Santa at the gazebo. Official page: https://www.cretechamber.com/cretecountrychristmas (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Tinley Park Parade of Lights** at Oak Park Ave. from 177th St. to 172nd St., Tinley Park, about 25 miles southwest. When: Sun, Dec 6, 2026. Time: 5pm; Santa visits in the holiday tent afterward. Price: Free. Official page: https://tinleychamber.org/parade-of-lights/ (checked 2026-10-30)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony** at Millennium Park, near Michigan Ave. & Washington St., Loop. When: Fri, Nov 20, 2026. Time: 6pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_tree.html (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Downers Grove Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony** at Main Street Train Station, Downers Grove, Downers Grove. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 4:30pm. Price: Free. The village tree is hung with handmade ornaments from local groups, businesses and residents. Official page: https://www.downtowndg.org/event/village-of-downers-grove-main-street-tree-lighting-ceremony/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Brookfield Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting** at Kris Kringle Market and trolley stops around Brookfield, Brookfield. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 10am-6pm; tree lighting in the evening. Price: See event page. 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: https://www.brookfieldchamber.net/kris-kringle-market (checked 2026-10-30)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/city-of-chicago-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony-millennium-park/): next dates Nov 20, 2026
- [Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/wintrust-magnificent-mile-lights-festival-michigan-avenue/): next dates Nov 21, 2026

## 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

### When is the Christmas parade in Chicago in 2026?
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.

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Chicago?
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.

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Chicago free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).