There’s a reason why Christmas has earned a reputation as the happiest season of all. This is your time to get out and make some memories with the people you hold dearest. If you need the best way to make this season feel a little extra memorable, why not take a stroll to see the lights? As a Springfield milestone photographer, I adore working with local families to help them remember all the major milestones. If you are looking for the best way to see the Christmas lights in Springfield, IL, here are the spots to check out!
Make The Holidays Extra Special This Year With A Visit To Christmas Lights In Springfield, IL
Zoo Lights
1100 E Lake Shore Dr, Springfield, Illinois 62712
If your Springfield, IL family is wild about animals, be sure to plan a visit to the Christmas lights at Henson Robinson Zoo this year! Each holiday season, the zoo is transformed with thousands of lights as well as light-up displays. Throughout the evening, you will also have the chance to sip on some hot chocolate or roast some marshmallows over a fire pit. The event happens every Friday through Sunday, starting after Thanksgiving up until Christmas.
Holiday Walks | Downtown Springfield
3 W Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 15, Springfield, Illinois 62701
Holiday Walks is an annual tradition that takes place in Downtown Springfield. Each year, the streets go all out with their holiday decor, giving you a festive backdrop as you shop from the best local stores in the area. You’ll be able to admire dazzling light displays as carolers set the mood. The downtown will also have events such as ice skating, live entertainment, and other special events. It’s the best way to support Springfield businesses!
Shelbyville Festival of Lights
East North 9th Street, Shelbyville, Illinois 62565
Just next door to Springfield, IL in Shelbyville, you can check out the Christmas lights set up by countless volunteers. You can hop into your car, crank the holiday tunes, and take a drive through Forest Park to see the lights. Keep your eyes peeled so you can see sites like the North Pole, Santa’s Shop, and the Little Town of Bethlehem. Each year, they bring back old favorites while finding brand new ways to awe visitors!
Candlestick Lane
Urbana, Illinois
Candlestick Lane is an annual tradition that has been capturing hearts all across the Champaign-Urbana area since it first started over 50 years ago. The displays were born out of a friendly competition that a utility contest held in a local neighborhood, and it has become a favorite site ever since then. The displays are scattered around Grant Place as well as Eastern and Fairlawn Drives. You can take a walk or a drive through the neighborhoods and find out why this town carries on this tradition to this day.
WildLights
1020 S. Morris Ave, Bloomington, Illinois 61701
WildLights is another Springfield, IL area zoo Christmas lights display that lets you spend the holidays with some pretty adorable animals. Over in the Bloomington Miller Park Zoo, there is a yearly festival that takes place each December. During this time, you can walk through the zoo and find tons of light displays. There will be activities for the kids as well as crafts the entire family can do. Oh, and of course there will be smores!
Mattoon Lightworks
500 Broadway Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois 61938
Mattoon Lightworks is a beloved tradition that draws in over 15,000 visitors each and every year. As you take a drive through Peterson Park, you will be treated to an incredible display of animated lights. The park features classic scenes and light tunnels you can walk beneath. Things will kick off at the end of November and last all the way through to Christmas. The event is completely free to attend, though donations are always appreciated!
Jonah’s Lights
2048 Briarcliff Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62704
If you are in the mood for driving around and seeing some local Christmas lights, make sure you take a turn down Briarcliff Drive right here in Springfield. Jonah Hosea is a local Springfield teen who has spent the last four years creating breathtaking light shows using his own radio frequency. When you pull up to the house, you’ll turn the station to 97.5 and watch as the lights sync up to the music. Jonah typically has a playlist of around 6 songs and keeps things going from sunset through 9.
Light Up the Park
698 South Park Avenue, Chatham, Illinois 62629
Light Up the Park is a celebration that takes place in Chatham Community Park. Each year, the department outdoes itself, creating a display you will never forget. Things kick off the night after Thanksgiving as they open up the grounds for a drive-through tour. Each week from Thursday through Sunday, you can go grab some hot beverages before seeing the lights. They also offer special nights where you can tour the parks while cruising on a bicycle.
Walking Through Wonderland
658 Community Park, Effingham, Illinois 62401
About five years ago, the little town of Effingham decided it was tired of missing out on all the Christmas lights fun going on in Springfield, IL. That’s when they decided to start Walking Through Wonderland, and it was immediately a hit. They designed their display to be a family-friendly event that helps you get into the Christmas spirit. You can head out to Community Park in Effingham and take a walk beneath Wonderland in Lights. The walk takes place only one day a year, and the rest of the season lets you view the lights from the windshield of your nice, warm car.
Winter Nights at Prairie Farm
2202 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, Illinois 61821
Winter Nights at Prairie Farm is an annual tradition that runs from the end of November all the way through the end of December. Throughout the season, you can come by Prairie Farm in Champaign and see the lights for free. They start things out on Black Friday with a visit from Santa. You can come out, drink some hot chocolate, and listen to carolers. After that, the park will be open every night from Thursday through Sunday for a holiday show unlike any other!
Your Family Will Never Forget These Spots For Christmas Lights In Springfield, IL
If you are looking for the very best way to get into the holiday spirit, I think you are going to adore these Christmas lights in Springfield, IL! Now, you just need a way to make sure the memories of this season can last forever. I’m there for that, too! As a Springfield milestone photographer, I adore working with parents to make sure they never have to forget a single milestone. If you want to see if I’m the photographer for your crew, I would love to connect! Send me a message today to find out more.
