2025 Holiday Lights Guide: 11 can’t-miss spots in and around southwest Illinois
December marks the beginning of the Christmas season for many in the metro-east, and the region is home to a variety of fun, festive light displays for those looking to celebrate.
From festivities at cultural institutions to cheerful displays from your neighbors, here’s where to see holiday lights this season in southwest Illinois. Some are paid, while others are free to appreciate.
You may want to bundle up before heading out to view the lights, as Belleville will see temperatures below freezing this week, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast.
If we missed your favorite local holiday light display, please email the address and a photo we can publish to mhoward@bnd.com so we can get it added into the guide, or fill out our Google Form.
Belleville neighborhood display
The Korves’ Belleville home puts on a festive holiday lights display, including characters from popular children’s show Bluey, colorful Christmas tree lights, Santa Claus decorations and more.
Location: 1927 Llewellyn Road in Belleville
Christmas Wonderland
This holiday light display at Rock Spring Park in Alton features more than 4 million lights, according to tourism bureau Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois.
Admission is $10 for a car or small van, or $1 per person for vehicles with 10 or more passengers. You can call 800-258-6645 with any questions about the event.
Location: 2116 College Ave. in Alton
When to see it: Now through Sunday, Dec. 28, with hours from 5 to 9 p.m. weekends and 6 to 9 p.m. weekdays.
Coulterville Holiday Light Display
You can enjoy the free Coulterville Holiday Light Display by car or foot, with an 18-block drive-thru display, as well as a lighted park walk-thru. The drive-thru display includes 2 million lights and 600 figurines, and the walking option features 1 million lights, hundreds of decorated trees and animated scenes.
A new children’s activity zone will offer live reindeer visiting the park from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, as well as a farm animal display from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13.
Location: 102 W. Grant St. in Coulterville
When to see it: Dusk to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 to Friday, Dec. 26
Garden Glow
The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Glow includes more than 2 million lights, with many exhibits synced to music and some interactive elements. Admission varies depending on the day, attendees’ ages and membership status.
Location: Missouri Botanical Garden
When to see it: Now through Saturday, Jan. 3, closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Thursday, Dec. 25 (times vary by day; staff recommend buying tickets in advance)
Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland
Lebanon’s “Winter Wonderland” holiday light display is held at Horner Park and features colorful Christmas lights, wooden cutout characters, a new waving Santa light and more.
This year will mark the display’s 18th year in operation, and organizers are honoring Rick Schmitt, a founding member of the display, fireman and former township supervisor. Schmitt died in October.
Location: Horner Park, 11113 Widicus Road in Lebanon
When to see it: Now through Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, weather permitting
Millstadt neighborhood display
Millstadt resident Michael Kempf puts up a holiday display featuring colorful string lights, Christmas tree lights, Santa crawling down the chimney and more.
Location: 116 W. Laurel St. in Millstadt
O’Fallon neighborhood display
O’Fallon resident Brian Evans has a festive holiday display, including an inflatable Minion, a large inflatable Santa and many other characters. Evans said most of the homes in his cul-de-sac have decor.
Location: 376 and 380 Macon Court in O’Fallon
Seventeenth Street Santa
This popular neighborhood display has been going for 10 years and features an appearance from Santa from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, beginning after Thanksgiving, Jamie Hauver said in an email to the News-Democrat.
Belleville residents have dubbed the home “Belleville’s Christmas House,” Hauver said, and the display features nearly 100,000 Christmas lights, more than 30 inflatables, a walk-thru tunnel, an igloo and many popular Christmas Characters.
The Hauvers are accepting donations of new or gently used toys to give out to the children who visit Santa at the display.
“Please stop by to walk through our lighted tunnel on your way to free Santa pictures! Each child receives a candy cane as well as a gift from Santa. Afterwards, feel free to explore the display where you can listen to a story inside of the igloo read by one of our elves or Mrs. Clause as well as check out our 2 train displays. Kids of ALL ages are welcome, as well as pets! As always, everything is 100% FREE!!! The display will be lit up from sundown through 9PM everyday, starting Thanksgiving, weather permitting. We look forward to seeing all of our Seventeenth Street Fam and making new friends this year!”
Location: 1616 Berkley Lane in Belleville
When to see it: Lights are on every day, starting Thanksgiving, from sundown until around 9 p.m., weather permitting
Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
The shrine’s Annual Way of Lights Christmas Display is free to see, although donations are accepted.
The visitor center hosts other displays and performances that may have attendance fees, as well as concessions for purchase. The shrine has hosted events since the 1940s, and many metro-east residents consider visiting the Christmas lights an annual tradition.
Location: 442 S. DeMazenod Drive in Belleville
When to see it: 5 to 9 p.m. now through Dec. 31, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, though the outdoor light display remains open
Wild Lights
The Saint Louis Zoo’s Wild Lights includes 1 million lights, select animal exhibits including penguins, the Insectarium and sea lions, a holiday market and more.
Admission varies by the day, but typically ranges from $15 to $18 for nonmembers. Children younger than 2 enter free.
Location: Saint Louis Zoo
When to see it: Select nights now through Sunday, Dec. 28 from 5 to 8:30 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m. Sensory friendly night is Monday, Dec. 8.
WonderLight’s Christmas
This display at World Wide Technology Raceway in Fairmont City includes more than 1 million lights, synchronized to Christmas music played through your car.
Driving through WonderLight’s Christmas display costs $30 per car for up to eight passengers. Organizers recommend buying tickets in advance to minimize wait times.
Location: 1905 Collinsville Road in Fairmont City
When to see it: 5 to 10 p.m. now through Sunday, Jan. 4
Do you have a question about living in the metro-east or Illinois for the News-Democrat? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.
This story was originally published December 2, 2025 at 4:45 AM.
