Because of the pandemic, this is the year of the drive-thru event! One thing that COVID has brought us are events that we can attend from the comfort of our own cars! The Christmas season is no different! Drive-thru events are a great way to stay safe and have fun with your family this holiday season. There are several drive-thru Christmas events happening in Rockford throughout December. Here are a few tips you should know before you go: Use the bathroom, sometimes there is a wait to see the Christmas light displays, so grab some snacks for the wait, do your business, and set the mood with some hot cocoa! See our growing list of Christmas light displays in the Stateline, below.

 

Festival of Lights

1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, IL

Friday 12/11 – Sunday 12/13, 5pm – 11pm
Friday 12/18 – Wednesday 12/23, 5pm – 11pm

Christmas Eve 12/24, 24 Hours
Christmas Day 12/25, 24 Hours (shuts off at Midnight)
Saturday 12/26 – Sunday 12/27, 5pm – 11pm

Thursday 12/31, 5pm – 12am (FINAL NIGHT / New Years Eve)

Hours are subject to change.
There is NO CHARGE to drive through the displays. Donations accepted and appreciated!
Santa & Christmas Letters
Santa’s Festival of Lights Schedule:
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday 12/11 – Sunday 12/13
Friday 12/18 – Sunday 12/20

Santa Claus will be in the center of Sinnissippi Park to wave and say hello to your family as they roll through this year’s Festival of Lights. Santa is Sponsored by WHEELS BY R.T.!

Right before you get to Santa, there will be a red mailbox where you can put your letters to Santa. They have a special delivery courier that will deliver them to the North Pole. Make sure to include your return address so Santa and his elves can write you back!
Postage not required…the spirit of Christmas is all the postage you need.
Make sure to get those letters put in the special mailbox by December 19th so that your child will receive a response!

 

All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

1354 N 2nd Street in Rockford, IL

Saturday 11/28 – Sunday 01/10, 2021

From dusk until dawn

All Aglow is FREE, but donations are welcome at the purple donation poles in the garden on their website.

 

City First Church Community Christmas Spectacular

5950 Spring Creek Road in Rockford, IL

Dates & Times:

Thursday 12/10 – Saturday 12/12 from 6-9 PM
Thursday 12/17 – Saturday 12/19 from 6-9 PM

It’s FREE! So invite your family and all your friends!
The entrance is off of Mulford Road
It’s a full drive-thru experience from the warmth of your car!

 

Christmas Drive Thru Event at GPS Faith Community

10714 N. 2nd St in Machesney Park, IL

Dates & Times:

Saturday 12/12 from 5 pm – 7 pm

Drive through the GPS Faith Community parking lot and see some of your favorite characters from your car.

 

Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Light Show

1455 Palmer Drive in Janesville, WI

12/10 – 12/13, 2020 from 4:30 pm – 9 pm (lights go dark at 9:30 pm)
12/17, 2020 – 12/23 from 4:30 pm – 9 pm (lights go dark at 9:30 pm)
12/26 – 12/30 from 4:30 pm – 9 pm (lights go dark at 9:30 pm)

This annual holiday event is a seasonal escape into a winter wonderland of more than one million twinkling lights and family-friendly fun, unparalleled in the region. Last entrance at 9 PM, lights go dark at 9:30 PM. Tickets will be available online and in RBG’s Cottage Garden Gallery and advance ticket purchase for a specific night is required, as are masks, both inside and outside.

 

Striegel Light Show

3767 Stone Ridge Drive in Janesville, WI

 

Drive-Thru Live Nativity at St. Mark Lutheran Church

675 N. Mulford Road in Rockford, IL

Dates & Times:

Saturday 12/19 from 6 pm – 9 pm

Enter from Featherstone Road entrance to see live animals, actors in costume, and music.

 

Goebbert’s Farm Christmas Lightshow

42W813 Reinking Rd., Pingree Grove, IL

Dates & Times:

Friday, 11/20 – Sunday 01/03, 2021
Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday from 5 pm – 10 pm
Friday and Saturday from 5 pm – 11 pm

Cost:$5 per person or $20 per car
$50 per car with 10+ people inside

Goebbert’s is a large light show through the farm with a light tunnel and displays, the drive time is about 45 minutes.

Purchase your tickets in advance here or at the entrance.

 

Happy Holiday Roadway

7000 Olson Road in Union, IL

Friday 11/27 – Sunday 12/20

Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 5 pm – 8 pm

$10 a car, you can purchase when you get there.

Drive-thru the museum campus and see a fully-illuminated freight train.

 

Christmas Musical Light Display

Divine Drive off of Rote in Rockford

If you’re looking for a cool holiday lights display, check this out. The video’s cool, but you should see it in person too!

 

 

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