You've discovered the ultimate guide to the holidays in Lisle! Let us show you the best festive events and attractions. For Lisle regulars and holiday explorers, this guide is your companion for festive fun.
Popular events include the stunning Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, where dazzling light displays transform the landscape into a magical winter wonderland. Another highlight is Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, featuring enchanting animal encounters and dazzling holiday lights throughout the zoo. And the Christkindlmarket offers a taste of traditional German holiday markets, complete with authentic crafts and festive treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Lisle Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Lisle
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
- Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield)
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
- Lights of Lisle
- Happy Holiday Railway (Union)
- Annual Kristkindlmarkt (Peoria)
See these and even more events listed below!
Lisle Holiday Light Displays
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and temperature-activated ceramic mugs.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of The Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular light and sound display. The 2024 exhibition features 17 displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. Enjoy immersive installations, including a secluded glade strung with fairy lights and kinetic LED tall grasses honoring Midwest native species. Warm up by a crackling fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, or stop at one of the concession tents for snacks and beverages along the Illumination trail.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with giant animal sculptures.
Description:
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic features over two million twinkling LED lights, giant illuminated animals, and immersive light displays, including a 300-foot light tunnel and a 41-foot-tall tree adorned with colored LED lights.
Where: Brookfield | More Info: Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Lights of Lisle
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Join downtown Lisle for a holiday celebration featuring a Santa Parade, holiday crafts, hot chocolate, and the annual tree lighting ceremony. Enjoy luminaria displays and festive activities throughout the downtown area.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Lights of Lisle
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations merging nature with creative expression.
Description:
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden features an illuminated trail with dazzling installations, including a 110-foot tunnel of 100,000 lights and interactive displays, set to music and color.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Happy Holiday Railway
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday train ride with Santa and animated light displays.
Description:
Embark on a 40-minute train ride through the winter countryside with Santa Claus. Enjoy treats and hot chocolate while seeing holiday lights and an animated light show. Gifts will be given to children on Santa's good list.
Where: Union | More Info: Happy Holiday Railway
Lisle Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Authentic German-style holiday market with international vendors and festive activities.
Description:
The Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style holiday market offering a unique shopping experience with international and local vendors, festive live entertainment, and a variety of food and beverages. Visitors can explore vendor products, participate in special events, and enjoy a cozy atmosphere filled with the smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, and hot spiced wine.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christkindlmarket
Annual Kristkindlmarkt
What to Expect:
Traditional German food and handmade crafts.
Description:
The Annual Kristkindlmarkt at Expo Gardens in Peoria features over 35 vendors offering handmade crafts, jewelry, toys, and more. Enjoy traditional German food like bratwurst, schnitzel, and glühwein. Admission is free.
Where: Peoria | More Info: Annual Kristkindlmarkt
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Downers Grove (3 miles)
- Naperville (4 miles)
- Woodridge (4 miles)
- Wheaton (5 miles)
- Westmont (5 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (5 miles)
- Darien (6 miles)
- Lombard (6 miles)
- Bolingbrook (7 miles)
- Villa Park (8 miles)
- Glendale Heights (8 miles)
- Carol Stream (8 miles)
- West Chicago (9 miles)
- Elmhurst (10 miles)
- Addison (10 miles)
- Romeoville (11 miles)
- Bloomingdale (11 miles)
- Roselle (13 miles)
- Batavia (13 miles)
- Aurora (13 miles)
- Maywood (13 miles)
- Melrose Park (13 miles)
- Geneva (13 miles)
- Plainfield (14 miles)
- Hanover Park (14 miles)
- St. Charles (14 miles)
- Bartlett (15 miles)
- Lockport (15 miles)
- Berwyn (15 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (15 miles)
- Homer Glen (16 miles)
- Burbank (16 miles)
- Oak Park (16 miles)
- Streamwood (16 miles)
- Orland Park (16 miles)
- Oswego (16 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (17 miles)
- Cicero (17 miles)
- Crest Hill (17 miles)
- South Elgin (17 miles)
- Oak Lawn (17 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (18 miles)
- West Lawn (18 miles)
- North Lawndale (19 miles)
- Des Plaines (19 miles)
- Park Ridge (19 miles)
- South Lawndale (19 miles)
- Joliet (19 miles)
- Ashburn (19 miles)
- Portage Park (19 miles)
- Brighton Park (19 miles)
- Wasco (19 miles)
- Elgin (19 miles)
- Gage Park (20 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (20 miles)
- Mount Prospect (20 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (20 miles)
- East Garfield Park (20 miles)
- Irving Park (20 miles)
- Niles (21 miles)
- New Lenox (21 miles)
- Avondale (21 miles)
- West Englewood (21 miles)
- Logan Square (21 miles)
- Lower West Side (21 miles)
- Albany Park (21 miles)
- Palatine (21 miles)
- New City (22 miles)
- West Town (22 miles)
- Tinley Park (22 miles)
- Oak Forest (22 miles)
- Bridgeport (22 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (22 miles)
- Chicago (22 miles)
- Englewood (22 miles)
- Morton Grove (22 miles)
- Morgan Park (22 miles)
- Blue Island (23 miles)
- North Center (23 miles)
- Lincoln Square (23 miles)
- Chicago Loop (23 miles)
- Near South Side (23 miles)
- Lincoln Park (23 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (24 miles)
- Douglas (24 miles)
- Near North Side (24 miles)
- Glenview (24 miles)
- Skokie (24 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (24 miles)
- West Ridge (24 miles)
- Carpentersville (24 miles)
- Chatham (24 miles)
- Uptown (25 miles)
- Wheeling (25 miles)
- Woodlawn (25 miles)
- Edgewater (25 miles)
- Hyde Park (25 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (25 miles)
- Rogers Park (25 miles)
- Harvey (26 miles)
- South Shore (26 miles)
- Northbrook (26 miles)
- Wilmette (26 miles)
- Dolton (27 miles)
- South Chicago (27 miles)
- Algonquin (28 miles)
- South Holland (28 miles)
- Vernon Hills (29 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (29 miles)
- Park Forest (30 miles)
- Highland Park (30 miles)
- Chicago Heights (30 miles)
- Calumet City (31 miles)
- Huntley (31 miles)
- Lansing (32 miles)
- Mundelein (32 miles)
- Crystal Lake (33 miles)
- Munster (33 miles)
- East Chicago (34 miles)
- Libertyville (34 miles)
- DeKalb (36 miles)
- Highland (36 miles)
- Grayslake (38 miles)
- McHenry (38 miles)
- North Chicago (38 miles)
- Schererville (39 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (39 miles)
- Gary (40 miles)
- Gurnee (40 miles)
- Woodstock (40 miles)
- Merrillville (44 miles)