Enjoy the festive wonders of Gurnee with our detailed event guide. From Gurnee natives to wandering souls, our guide ensures a holiday season to treasure.
Popular events this holiday season in Gurnee include the World of Illumination: Arctic Adventure, a dazzling light display that brings the magic of the North to life through stunning visual feats. Featuring a captivating garden of illuminated paths and interactive experiences, Lightscape offers a breathtaking stroll filled with vibrant colors and festive cheer. And the Holiday Train is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it brings joy to families with its enchanting winter scenery and festive spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Gurnee
- World of Illumination: Arctic Adventure
- Lightscape (Glencoe)
- A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theater (Chicago)
- Sparkle Light Festival (Rosemont)
- Holiday Train
- Chicago Botanical Garden's Wonderland Express (Glencoe)
- Gallagher Way Winter Fest (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic (Brookfield)
- Willow Hill Lights (Northbrook)
- Holiday Lights at Welton Plaza
See these and even more events listed below!
Gurnee Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Brightly decorated train with live holiday concert.
Description:
The Holiday Train event in Gurnee features a nearly 1,000-foot-long train decorated with hundreds of thousands of LED lights, hosting a holiday concert by Tenille Townes and Breland. The event includes fire pits, food trucks, and craft stations, with special guests like Mr. and Mrs. Claus. It also collects non-perishable food items for the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Where: Gurnee | More Info: Holiday Train
Holiday Lights at Welton Plaza
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with firepits, food trucks, and craft stations.
Description:
Join the Gurnee Park District and its partners for the 3rd annual Holiday Lights event at Welton Plaza. Enjoy festive holiday lights, firepits with s'mores, food trucks, and craft stations. Special guests include the Gurnee Park District Above the Barre Dance Team, Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Gurnee | More Info: Holiday Lights at Welton Plaza
World of Illumination: Arctic Adventure
What to Expect:
State-of-the-art light display with synchronized music.
Description:
Immerse yourself in the world's largest animated drive-through light show at Six Flags Great America, featuring over one million colorful lights, a mesmerizing snowflake tunnel, and larger-than-life trees, all choreographed to favorite holiday tunes.
Where: Gurnee | More Info: World of Illumination: Arctic Adventure
Lightscape
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations and immersive art experiences.
Description:
An illuminated trail at the Chicago Botanic Garden featuring light, art, and music installations, including new and reimagined pieces.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Lightscape
Sparkle Light Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with various activities.
Description:
Sparkle Light Festival at Impact Field in Rosemont features five illuminated villages, including the Frozen Forest, Snowflake Circle, Winter Wonderland, the North Pole, and Deck the Walls. Visitors can enjoy free train rides on the Holly Trolly, ice skating, and tubing down the Alpine Slide. Festive food and beverage options are also available.
Where: Rosemont | More Info: Sparkle Light Festival
Willow Hill Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with a 2.5-mile drive.
Description:
Willow Hill Lights is a drive-thru holiday light show featuring over one million LED lights, a 2.5-mile route, and three drive-through tunnels. The event includes a 30-foot Christmas tree and various themed displays like dinosaurs and holiday favorites.
Where: Northbrook | More Info: Willow Hill Lights
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic features over two million twinkling LED lights, giant illuminated animals, and immersive light displays. Guests can explore 300-foot light tunnels, visit Santa, and enjoy festive holiday markets and shopping.
Where: Brookfield | More Info: Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic
Gurnee Holiday Shows and Entertainment
for KING & COUNTRY: A Drummer Boy Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Grammy-winning duo's holiday concert with festive music and storytelling.
Description:
for KING & COUNTRY brings their A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour to NOW Arena, featuring Christmas classics and original hits in a high-energy performance.
Where: Hoffman Estates | More Info: for KING & COUNTRY: A Drummer Boy Christmas Concert
A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theater
What to Expect:
Fresh, heartwarming adaptation with modern staging techniques.
Description:
A heartwarming adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, featuring Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey on Christmas Eve, directed by Jessica Thebus and starring Austin Tichenor and Christopher Donahue.
Where: Chicago | More Info: A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theater
Gurnee Other Holiday Activities
Vintage Holidays in Long Grove
What to Expect:
Nostalgic holiday activities in a quaint, old-world setting.
Description:
Vintage Holidays in Long Grove features horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa in the village, and festive caroling around town. Historic downtown Long Grove is adorned with decorations and special promotions from local merchants.
Where: Long Grove | More Info: Vintage Holidays in Long Grove
Gallagher Way Winter Fest
What to Expect:
Holiday activities and attractions inside historic Wrigley Field.
Description:
Gallagher Way Winter Fest transforms Wrigley Field into a vibrant holiday destination with activities like the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville, Gallagher Ice Rink, and various rides and games.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Gallagher Way Winter Fest
Chicago Botanical Garden's Wonderland Express
What to Expect:
Thousands of hand-carved, LED-lit pumpkins in a festive setting.
Description:
The Chicago Botanic Garden's Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns features hand-carved, LED-lit pumpkins along a festive pathway, with live carvers and entertaining characters.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Chicago Botanical Garden's Wonderland Express
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- North Chicago (4 miles)
- Zion (6 miles)
- Libertyville (7 miles)
- Grayslake (7 miles)
- Mundelein (9 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (10 miles)
- Vernon Hills (11 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (13 miles)
- Highland Park (14 miles)
- Kenosha (15 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (15 miles)
- Wheeling (16 miles)
- Northbrook (17 miles)
- McHenry (19 miles)
- Palatine (19 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (21 miles)
- Mount Prospect (21 miles)
- Glenview (22 miles)
- Wilmette (23 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (23 miles)
- Crystal Lake (23 miles)
- Des Plaines (23 miles)
- Morton Grove (24 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (24 miles)
- Algonquin (25 miles)
- Niles (25 miles)
- Skokie (25 miles)
- Park Ridge (25 miles)
- Carpentersville (25 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (25 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (26 miles)
- Streamwood (28 miles)
- Rogers Park (28 miles)
- West Ridge (28 miles)
- Roselle (28 miles)
- Woodstock (28 miles)
- Hanover Park (28 miles)
- Albany Park (29 miles)
- Lincoln Square (29 miles)
- Portage Park (29 miles)
- Edgewater (29 miles)
- Bartlett (30 miles)
- Bloomingdale (30 miles)
- Irving Park (30 miles)
- Elgin (30 miles)
- Caledonia (30 miles)
- Huntley (30 miles)
- Addison (31 miles)
- Uptown (31 miles)
- North Center (31 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (31 miles)
- Avondale (31 miles)
- Melrose Park (33 miles)
- Glendale Heights (33 miles)
- Logan Square (33 miles)
- Elmhurst (33 miles)
- South Elgin (33 miles)
- Villa Park (34 miles)
- Lincoln Park (34 miles)
- Carol Stream (34 miles)
- Oak Park (34 miles)
- Maywood (34 miles)
- Lombard (34 miles)
- West Town (35 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (35 miles)
- Near North Side (35 miles)
- East Garfield Park (35 miles)
- Oak Creek (36 miles)
- Chicago Loop (36 miles)
- Berwyn (36 miles)
- Wheaton (36 miles)
- Franklin (36 miles)
- North Lawndale (36 miles)
- West Chicago (37 miles)
- Cicero (37 miles)
- South Milwaukee (37 miles)
- Lower West Side (38 miles)
- South Lawndale (38 miles)
- St. Charles (38 miles)
- Chicago (38 miles)
- Near South Side (38 miles)
- Muskego (39 miles)
- Bridgeport (39 miles)
- Downers Grove (39 miles)
- Geneva (39 miles)
- Wasco (39 miles)
- Brighton Park (39 miles)
- Douglas (40 miles)
- Westmont (40 miles)
- Lisle (40 miles)
- New City (41 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (41 miles)
- Gage Park (41 miles)
- Greenfield (41 miles)
- Batavia (42 miles)
- Naperville (42 miles)
- West Lawn (42 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (42 miles)
- West Englewood (43 miles)
- Hyde Park (43 miles)
- Englewood (43 miles)
- Darien (43 miles)
- New Berlin (43 miles)
- Woodlawn (44 miles)
- Woodridge (44 miles)
- Ashburn (44 miles)
- Burbank (44 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (45 miles)
- West Allis (45 miles)