Glow Time! Can’t-Miss Holiday Light Extravaganzas

Chicago is ready to flip the switch—and you can be there when it happens. Here are the most brilliant light displays around town.

By rtlisasnart October 17, 2015

Chicago is ready to flip the switch. You’ll hear oohs and aahs when streets, shopping centers and parks light up for the holidays — and you can be there when it happens. If you can’t make the kick-off ceremonies, don’t worry: these hotspots will stay brilliantly lit through the end of December. Click through our guide to the best and brightest.

Festival of Lights in East Peoria

Road trip! Travel an hour-and-a-half south to East Peoria's huge festival of lights and luminescent float parade (think Disney World's Electric Light Parade on a smaller scale). The cavalcade of light-up floats rolls 3 miles down Washington through downtown. Expect a wide range of floats, from Rudolph to the Starship Enterprise. The displays stay on show at Folepi’s Winter Wonderland Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. For more info, call 309-698-5437.

Nov. 21
Parade launches at 5:45 p.m.
E. Washington St. and Dolans Ln.
East Peoria
Online: cityofeastpeoria.com