Get ready for a festive season of adventure in Addison! Our guide has all the exciting holiday activities. From longtime Addison inhabitants to curious tourists, our guide offers something for every festive soul.
Popular events are plentiful during this magical time. Experience the enchanting charm of dazzling lights at the Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, where colorful displays create a winter wonderland. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the heartwarming experience of riding the train during The Polar Express at Fox River Trolley Museum, a journey that brings the beloved story to life. And the Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring captivating animal encounters and holiday-themed displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Addison
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield)
- The Polar Express at Fox River Trolley Museum (South Elgin)
- Happy Holiday Railway at Illinois Railway Museum (Union)
- Wheaton Santa Express (Wheaton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Addison Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with synchronized light and sound displays.
Description:
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic features over two million twinkling LED lights, giant illuminated animals, and immersive displays like Candy Cane Lane and Sparkling Coast. Enjoy unique shopping at the Holiday Market, seasonal food and beverages, and attractions like the Elf Power Virtual Reality Experience and the Carousel.
Where: Brookfield | More Info: Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Immersive light and music experience along a fully ADA-compliant path.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of the Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular light and sound display featuring 17 dazzling light and music displays, including new interactive installations and returning favorites.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Happy Holiday Railway at Illinois Railway Museum
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa and animated light show.
Description:
Take a 40-minute train ride through the winter countryside with Santa Claus. Enjoy treats and hot chocolate while being entertained by an animated light show and holiday song presentation. Historic trains and Chicago streetcars are included, and gifts will be given to children on Santa’s good list.
Where: Union | More Info: Happy Holiday Railway at Illinois Railway Museum
Addison Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Polar Express at Fox River Trolley Museum
What to Expect:
Unique holiday train ride with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
The Polar Express at Fox River Trolley Museum brings Chris Van Allsburg's book to life with a train ride to the North Pole, featuring a reading of the famous novel, live performances, a visit from Santa, Christmas carol sing-alongs, hot chocolate, and cookies.
Where: South Elgin | More Info: The Polar Express at Fox River Trolley Museum
Addison Other Holiday Activities
Wheaton Santa Express
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday train ride with Santa.
Description:
Join the DuPage County Historical Museum for a special Santa Express train ride departing from Wheaton Train Station. Each paid child receives a small gift from Santa and a goody bag. Music is played, and a story is read during the ride. Goodie bags and snacks are handed out at check-in.
Where: Wheaton | More Info: Wheaton Santa Express
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Villa Park (3 miles)
- Elmhurst (3 miles)
- Lombard (4 miles)
- Glendale Heights (4 miles)
- Bloomingdale (5 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (5 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (5 miles)
- Roselle (6 miles)
- Melrose Park (7 miles)
- Wheaton (8 miles)
- Carol Stream (8 miles)
- Maywood (8 miles)
- Downers Grove (9 miles)
- Des Plaines (9 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (9 miles)
- Hanover Park (9 miles)
- Park Ridge (9 miles)
- Westmont (9 miles)
- Mount Prospect (10 miles)
- Lisle (10 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (11 miles)
- Oak Park (11 miles)
- Bartlett (11 miles)
- Niles (11 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (11 miles)
- Berwyn (12 miles)
- West Chicago (12 miles)
- Portage Park (12 miles)
- Streamwood (12 miles)
- Darien (12 miles)
- Palatine (13 miles)
- Naperville (13 miles)
- Morton Grove (13 miles)
- Irving Park (13 miles)
- Woodridge (13 miles)
- Cicero (13 miles)
- Albany Park (14 miles)
- Glenview (14 miles)
- Avondale (14 miles)
- Wheeling (15 miles)
- North Lawndale (15 miles)
- Skokie (15 miles)
- Logan Square (15 miles)
- East Garfield Park (15 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (15 miles)
- South Lawndale (15 miles)
- Lincoln Square (16 miles)
- Northbrook (16 miles)
- West Ridge (16 miles)
- North Center (16 miles)
- South Elgin (16 miles)
- West Town (16 miles)
- St. Charles (16 miles)
- Geneva (17 miles)
- Bolingbrook (17 miles)
- Elgin (17 miles)
- Wilmette (17 miles)
- Brighton Park (17 miles)
- Edgewater (17 miles)
- Rogers Park (17 miles)
- Burbank (17 miles)
- Uptown (17 miles)
- Lower West Side (17 miles)
- Lincoln Park (18 miles)
- Batavia (18 miles)
- West Lawn (18 miles)
- Gage Park (18 miles)
- Chicago (18 miles)
- Near North Side (18 miles)
- Bridgeport (19 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (19 miles)
- Chicago Loop (19 miles)
- Carpentersville (19 miles)
- New City (19 miles)
- Ashburn (19 miles)
- Oak Lawn (19 miles)
- Near South Side (19 miles)
- West Englewood (20 miles)
- Highland Park (20 miles)
- Vernon Hills (20 miles)
- Douglas (20 miles)
- Romeoville (20 miles)
- Englewood (21 miles)
- Aurora (21 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (21 miles)
- Wasco (21 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (22 miles)
- Orland Park (22 miles)
- Hyde Park (22 miles)
- Algonquin (23 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (23 miles)
- Woodlawn (23 miles)
- Mundelein (23 miles)
- Homer Glen (23 miles)
- Chatham (23 miles)
- Morgan Park (24 miles)
- Plainfield (24 miles)
- Lockport (24 miles)
- South Shore (24 miles)
- Libertyville (24 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (25 miles)
- Blue Island (25 miles)
- Oswego (25 miles)
- Oak Forest (26 miles)
- South Chicago (26 miles)
- Crest Hill (27 miles)
- Tinley Park (27 miles)
- Crystal Lake (27 miles)
- Huntley (28 miles)
- Dolton (28 miles)
- North Chicago (28 miles)
- Harvey (28 miles)
- Joliet (29 miles)
- Grayslake (29 miles)
- New Lenox (29 miles)
- South Holland (30 miles)
- Gurnee (31 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (31 miles)
- McHenry (31 miles)
- Calumet City (32 miles)
- East Chicago (34 miles)
- Lansing (34 miles)
- Park Forest (34 miles)
- Chicago Heights (35 miles)
- Munster (35 miles)
- Woodstock (35 miles)
- Zion (36 miles)
- Highland (38 miles)
- DeKalb (39 miles)
- Gary (41 miles)
- Schererville (42 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (43 miles)