11 suburban, Chicago light displays to check out over the holidays

The winter holidays are synonymous with light - from candles to strings of twinkling bulbs. So there are plenty of public displays worth checking out at zoos, parks, museums and more.

Here's a look at some suburban and city holiday light shows to help brighten your season.

Aurora

Aurora Festival of Lights, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, through Monday, Dec. 26, at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora. Outdoor drive-through holiday light display features more than a mile of lights, animated displays and winter scenes. Presented by the Rotary Club of Aurora and the City of Aurora. Free, but the Rotary Club welcomes donations to benefit local charities. (630) 408-5381 or aurorafestivaloflights.com.

Bolingbrook

The Festival of Lights Holiday Tree Light Show runs on the hour from 5 to 9 p.m. daily, through Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. The show features 250,000 LED lights set to music. Free. (630) 296-8350 or shoppingpromenade.com.

Brookfield

Holiday Magic runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, and daily from Monday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Dec. 31, at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. The event features more than 1 million twinkling LED lights, ice carvings and more. Regular zoo admission and parking fees apply. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org.

Chicago

Lincoln Park Zoo's Zoo Lights runs from 4:30 to 9 p.m. nightly through Friday, Dec. 23, and again from Monday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 1. Family-oriented celebration features musical light shows and holiday activities throughout the zoo grounds. Lincoln Park Zoo is at 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. Free. Visit lpzoo.org.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light runs through Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. See more than 50 trees decorated with traditions from across the globe and thousands of lights. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Extended hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday through Friday, Dec. 17-23, and Monday through Friday, Dec. 26-30. Closed Sunday, Dec. 25. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Regular $11-$18 museum general admission prices apply. (773) 684-1414 or msichicago.org.

Elburn

Larsen's Light Show runs from 5 to 11:30 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 1, at 42W891 Beith Road, Elburn. This 25-minute light show features more than 1 million LED lights, 2,400 strobes, lasers, shooting stars, large and small decorated trees, dancing hoops and poles, life-size nutcrackers and more, all accompanied by holiday music. On Saturday evenings, Santa Claus meets with guests. Free. (630) 365-3412 or larsenlightshow.com.

Lisle

Illumination: Tree Lights runs from 5 to 9 p.m. daily through Monday, Jan. 2, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Last admission accepted at 8:30 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 24-25. See trees in a different light while strolling on a milelong paved path through the woods featuring lights and projections. Guests can hug or sing to the trees and the trees will respond with light. Lights are accompanied by excerpts from “The Nutcracker,” recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. $7-$17 members or $12-$22 nonmembers. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Lombard

Lights in Lilacia Park runs from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily through Monday, Jan. 2, at 150 S. Park Ave., Lombard. The event features colorful holiday lights and music. From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16-18, guests can meet Santa Claus. Other highlights include a giant gingerbread house, rides on the Gold Medal Express train, hot cocoa, cookies and more. Free. (630) 620-7322. For a schedule, see lombardparks.com.

Mooseheart

The Seventh Annual Mooseheart Holiday Lights display runs from 5 to 9 p.m. daily through Saturday, Dec. 31, on Route 31, two miles north of I-88, on the grounds of Mooseheart Child City and School, Mooseheart. This drive-through lighted route is approximately 1.8 miles and has more than 80 displays. Santa Claus will be on hand in the evenings Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16-18. Santa will sit for free photos starting at 5:30 p.m., and the line will be closed at 8:30 p.m. Visitors can also take part in crafts, hear holiday music, and have hot chocolate and cookies in the field house. $10 per car. Visit mooseheart.org.

Naperville

Naper Lights runs through Saturday, Dec. 24, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Special holiday hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 19-23. Light show closes at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. Naper Settlement is decorated with thousands of holiday lights and animated displays. Music for the light show is broadcast over “SantaFM,” 88.5 FM. The Christkindlmarket is also at Naper Settlement. Free; donations are welcome. (630) 420-6010 or naperlights.com.

Wheaton

Cosley Zoo's Festival of Lights and Christmas trees runs from 3 to 9 p.m. nightly through Friday, Dec. 30, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 North Ave., Wheaton. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days; lights come on at 3 p.m. Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 24 and 31. Closed Sunday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Festival features more than 20,000 twinkling lights. Visitors can purchase Christmas trees, which help support the zoo, plus hot chocolate and holiday gifts. Free admission during the festival. (630) 665-5534 or cosleyzoo.org.