Escaping to Tranquility on a Spa Getaway at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin

Relaxation and Rejuvenation During a Spa Respite at The Abbey Resort on the Shores of Geneva Lake

**Disclosure: Thank you to The Abbey Resort for accommodating my stay and services so I could bring this review to my readers. No other compensation was received. Opinions are 100% my own.

The welcoming entry and lounge decor of The Abbey Resort immediately sweep guests away to their escape -- the design and architecture quickly awes. Recently, I ventured to the shores of Geneva Lake to rejuvenate at The Abbey Resort. I certainly was swept away on a much needed recharge. Join me to learn more about this haven of renewal and relaxation just a short drive from the Chicago area:

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Weekend Wind Up {Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs December 1-3, 2023}

 

Happy weekend!!! Plenty of cheer is packed into this weekend, here are my picks:

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2023 Holiday Light Shows in the Chicago Suburbs Including Large Scale and Awesome Home Displays

Holiday Light Shows and Awesome Home Displays in the Chicago Suburbs 2023

Holiday light shows and displays sparkle magically throughout the Chicago suburbs every year! This year promises to be one of the most brilliant yet, so be sure to catch some of these 2023 Chicago suburban holiday light shows (please note I will be updating this list as more information becomes available):

Holiday Light Shows in the Chicago Suburbs:

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden now through January 7, 2023; Lightscape has returned for the 5th season complete with new designs, old favorites, and reimagined experiences. Tickets go fast. So, purchase them soon!

Illumination Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, now-January 8, 2023.  Enjoy interactive holiday cheer along 1-mile hiking path where you will see the Arboretum's trees highlighted with lights and music as you have never seen them before! See website for more details and tickets. 

Santa's Rock N Lights, Lake County Fairgrounds, Grayslake -- Now through December 31, 2023 enjoy Chicago's longest running, synchronized drive-through light show. See website for more information and to purchase tickets. Tickets may be purchased online only. 

Willow Hill Lights, Northbrook, drive-through light event featuring over a million lights, ongoing through January 6, 2024 starting at 5PM nightly. Currently, there is a promotion for a free flatbread at Pinstripes when you order tickets.

November 17 - December 31 Christmas Lights Show, Sonny Acres Farm, West Chicago

Be sure to check the Road Trip section below to see some additional nearby displays in Wisconsin!

All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory in Rockford, November 25-January 7; beautiful free outdoor light display in the outdoor gardens, donations appreciated. The stars and candy cane displays have been loving crafted by the staff!

Holiday Magic, more than 2 million lights will dazzle visitors during Brookdale Zoo's 42nd year of Holiday Magic, November 24-26, 30 December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31, see website for more info on ticketing, times and prices, must reserve tickets. This is the longest running show in the area! There will be interactive displays, ice carving, roaming carolers, and more.

Festival of Lights Cosley Zoo, Wheaton; November 24 -December 30 (closed Christmas Day), AM-9PM, 9AM-12PM December 24. Pick up your fresh Christmas trees and garland at the Christmas sale! Light displays interspersed with animal exhibits will decorate the zoo. See website for more info, event is free and donations are very much appreciated.

Holiday Festival of Lights, Phillip's Park Zoo, Aurora, Northern Illinois' largest drive-thru display, November 24 - December 25, 5PM-9PM, free but donations accepted.

North School Park, Arlington Heights, November 24 - early January, free!

Holiday Lights Lilacia Park, Lombard, December 2-January 1, enjoy a winding path through magical light displays in the park. Daily 4:30PM-10PM. See website for info on Santa visits. The tree lighting is on December 2. December 17 5PM-7PM is Polar Express Night - all participants receive a bell when they visit Santa.

McCormick House and Garden: Lights and Music December 1-23 at Cantigny Park features dazzling light displays throughout the garden. The first floor of the historic McCormick Mansion will be decorated. New ice rink. Pop-up attractions certain days. $10 parking, $15 per adult, $5 per child. Tuesdays-Saturday. Tickets available online.

Naper Lights -- Thanksgiving - New Years, enjoy wandering through light displays on Water St.

Sparkle Light Festival, Rosemont, through December 31, Impact Field, walk through light displays, two story ice slide, train, ice skating, more, general admission $24 pp for 13+, $18 ages 2-12, see website for tix and more options. The Alpine Ice Slide is a separate fee.

Lights Around Wheeling, starts November 19

Goebbert's Winter Wonderland, Pingree Grove, November 23 - January, Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 5PM-10PM, Fridays & Saturdays 5PM-11PM, not open Mondays and Tuesdays until 12/18, $25/car, online tix required

Larsen Drive Up Light Show November 23 - January, Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 5PM-10PM, Fridays & Saturdays 5PM-11PM, not open Mondays and Tuesdays until 12/18, $30/car, online tix required

Festival of Lights Show, The Promenade, Bolingbrook, through December 31, tree lights will dance to music at 5PM, 6PM, 7PM, 8PM and 9PM, run time about 20 minutes.

Kohlights, Kohl's Children's Museum, Glenview, Dec 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, interactive outdoor display, with indoor experiences, $37 per person, $15 off for members, must purchase timed entry tickets

Winter Wonderland at Usher Park in Itasca,  free

Night of Lights, Adams Park, Wheaton, through 1/7/24

Illuminated at Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, open Thursday-Sunday November 30-December 10, Daily December 14-30 (closed Christmas Day), 5PM-8:30PM, Non-Member:  Adult $13 | Senior $12 | Student & Military $11 | Five & Under FREE

Basic Member: $8 | Premium Member:  FREE

Impressive Home Displays

    Rolling Meadows-Schaumburg-Elk Grove Village-Elmhurst

• Christmas on Tiffany, Schaumburg, November 25-December 31, 3 different synchronized shows, shows at 6, 7, and 8, free.
• Hoffman Christmas Light Show, Schaumburg, November 25
• Schaumburg Holiday House Decorating Contest & Tour, see website for updates
• Road Rallye Christmas Lights Tour December 9 -December 25 in Schaumburg; by the Wheels Rallye Team in Schaumburg, $20 per car, pre-register, course will take you through some of the best home and municipal light displays (over 60) in the suburbs, cars head out at 6:30PM on December 9 *cars can be in sightseeing mode!* The race is competitive on December 9 but can be run anytime after December 10.
• Schaumburg Christmas Lights -- waiting to see status
• Lights on Auburn, Schaumburg, expected to start December 1
• Boxwood Lightshow, Schaumburg, see FB
• Sandberg  Christmas Display in Elk Grove Village, 4PM-10PM every night through January 1.
• Olaf's Light Show, Elmhurst

    Carol Stream-Hanover Park-Roselle

• Great Madison Lights in Hanover Park
• Carol Stream Holiday Lights Decorating Contest
• Candy Cane Canyon, Carol Stream, December 2 - January 1
• 2020 Christmas Lights in Roselle -- have not confirmed for 2023

    Naperville-Wheaton

• The Believe House Naperville -- check Facebook for details on this display; they will also share a map of other holiday displays in Naperville
• Merry Swiftmas -- aka the Taylor Swift House - 1228 Atlas Lane in Naperville
• Riparian Lights Naperville -- not confirmed for 2023
• Wheaton Christmas Lights -- not confirmed for 2023
• Wheaton Venetian Lights
• Light Up Wheaton Contest, List of Houses after December 8

    Elgin-South Elgin-Gilberts-South Barrington-Streamwood

• Lights on Rockville in Gilberts -- a six house display running through January 1; see website for times
• Juniper Lane, South Elgin
• Mays Family Light Show, South Elgin
• Wagner Lights, Elgin
• The Angelic Christmas Spectacular, Elgin
• Lights on Revere, South Barrington, starts 11/24
• South Barrington Lights -- no lights this year, returning in 2024
• Skellington Manor of Sterling Oaks, Streamwood, see FB for opening

    Libertyville-Mundelein- Lake Forest

• Williams Family Lights in Libertyville, not confirmed for 2023
• Lights in Tahoe Court in Mundelein, not confirmed for 2023
• Once Upon a Christmas Light Show, Mundelein

    Lombard-Villa Park

• Hughes Digital, Lombard -- maybe combine with a visit to Lilacia Park
• Jingle's Holiday Decorating Contest in Lombard, 12/02-12/17 lights on starting at 4:30PM; check website for map
• Willowcrest in Villa Park, over 100 figures, not confirmed for 2023 
• Fillipp Family Exterior Illuminations, Villa Park

    Fox River Grove-Cary-Crystal Lake

• Gandor Family Light Show in Lake Zurich -- through 1st weekend in January
• Mack Manor in Fox River Grove -- check FB for opening
• Cimi Lights, Fox River Grove, not confirmed for 2023
• Candy Lane Way, Cary, there is a 2023 show -- watch  FB for starting day
• Reichman Lights, Crystal Lake, not confirmed for 2023
• Shulfer Lights, Crystal Lake, not confirmed for 2023

    Wheeling-Buffalo Grove-Palatine-Hainesville

• Kolman Family Christmas Lights, Hainesville, check Facebook
• Woodland Light Show, Wheeling, see Facebook
• Mills Family, 1512 Chippewa Trail, not sure if this is running this year
• Storozhuk Family Light Show in Buffalo Grove, watch FB for start date
• Jahn Christmas in Buffalo Grove, not confirmed for 2023
• FE Light Show, Shady Dr, Palatine, watch FB
• Magical of Christmas, 1426 N Whispering Springs Circle, Palatine, Dec 1-January 1, Dusk to 9pm, till 10PM on weekends

    Woodstock

• Woodstock Holiday Lights

    Antioch - Lindenhurst

• Tarkowski Family Light Show, Antioch
• Grass Family Light Show, Antioch
• The Borgetti Holiday Light Show, Lindehurst

    Aurora-Batavia-Oswego-Yorkville

• Aurora Symphony of Lights
• Lights on Eckman, Batavia
• Oswego Lights https://www.facebook.com/Oswegolights/
• The Arch's Christmas Light Show, Yorkville

    Lemont-Homer Glen

• Chuchla Family Lights, Lemont, check Facebook for start
• Lemont Holiday Lights on Thornberry
• Lit Lemont Light Show, Lemont
• Christmas on Oak, Homer Glen, starts December 2

    Wilmette

• Christmas Lights on Cleveland Street, Wilmette, already running

Road Trip Ideas

Christmas Holiday Lights Tour in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, December 12-26. Pull up Pleasant Prairie's online map of dazzling home holiday light displays, sip some hot cocoa and enjoy a holiday light tour. Vote for your favorites! Winners will be announced on December 30. This is a free, fun and festive tour!

Jerry Smith Holiday Light Walk in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the farm is decorated with light displays, November 24-December 17, Santa visits on weekends, live reindeer, a cozy fire, s'more kits and more, open daily 5PM-9PM, $7 pp above age of 2.

Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights in Caledonia, Southeastern Wisconsin's largest light show; November 18-January 1 enjoy 2 million lights over a 1.6 mile drive through path, $30 for passenger car, $45 for large passenger van, $55 for limo/camper, must reserve tickets online, add-ons available. Rent a sleigh on certain days. Golf cart rental also available.

Christmas in the Country at Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva Wisconsin, indoor and outdoor light displays, gingerbread house contest, free, there are other events associated so check the website. Trolley tours are free for guests and $10 pp for nonguests. They fill up, so reserve a spot soon.

Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville is back for its 27th year! November 26-December 30 on certain days -- November 30 - December 3, 7-10, 14-23, 26-30. Stroll through a magical wonderland of over 1.5 million lights including themed light displays and animations! Check website for latest details and to purchase tickets. $12 per person ages 13+; $5 per person ages 3-12; 2 and under free.

47th Annual Lake Geneva Electric Christmas Parade, December 2 5:00PM, down Broad and Main St.

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Petroglyphs, Views, Lizards, and Roadrunners at Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico

 

Petroglyph National Monument protects a sacred, culturally significant site featuring petroglyphs as well as an ancient volcanic landscape. The blending of the history of the site, the desert environment, and the volcanic remains crafts a unique adventure full of learning and appreciation.

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Weekend Wind Up {Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs November 24-26, 2023}

Happy weekend! Lots of fun is certainly popping up here in the Chicago suburbs! Here are my picks for fun this weekend:

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15 Ways to Celebrate an Old Fashioned Christmas in the Chicago Suburbs and Nearby

Old fashioned Christmas celebrations radiate the joy and magic of the holidays in a comforting, wistful,  nostalgic way. We have quite a number of charming Christmas events in the Chicago suburbs and nearby to transport us back a time long ago. Today, I am sharing 15 of my favorites:

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Weekend Windup {Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs November 17-19, 2023}

 

Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs November 17-19, 2023

Happy weekend! Things are really starting to sparkle this weekend! Here are my picks:

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Downtown Highland Park Home Sweet Home for the Holidays Adds Special Whimsy to the 2023 Holiday Season

 

Highland Park continues to be an epicenter of delightful family activities year after year, season after season including this holiday season! During November and December, Downtown Highland Park Alliance invites families to several events adding extra magic to the holidays.

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