Light displays / Illinois / Holiday Magic

Holiday Magic

Walk-through light display at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Brookfield, Illinois

2026 dates

November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027

Open days

Nov 21-25 and 27-29; Dec 3-6, 10-13, 17-23, 26-31; Jan 1-3

Hours

3pm-9pm

How you see it

Walk-through

Price

Paid. Tickets starting at $29.95; free with membership at the Main-North Gate

Christmas Eve and Day

Closed Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day

What stands out

• More than 40 years running
• Giant light-up maze, light tunnels and a star walk-through
• Sensory Friendly Holiday Magic night on Dec 3 with dimmed lights and lower music
• Rentable heated igloos Dec 18 to 20

Note: No public nights on Nov 26, Dec 24 or Dec 25

Source

Everything above comes from brookfieldzoo.org, checked October 14, 2026. Confirm on the official site before you go; light shows can close for weather or sell out on busy nights.

Dates, hours and prices come from the source named on this page and can change, and some sites still show last season's details. Check with the organizer before you go. How we check

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us. We check every change on the official site before we update this page.

Other light displays in Illinois

• Illumination: Tree Lights, Lisle: Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027
• Lightscape, Glencoe: 2026 dates not announced
• ZooLights, Chicago: Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027

Comparing zoos? Every zoo lights show on our list, with 2026 dates and ticket types.

Also in Illinois: 5 Christmas markets and 5 tree farms.