Christmas Lights Limo Tour in Chicago: 2026 Routes, Rates and Tips
Christmas Lights Limo Tour in Chicago: 2026 Routes, Rates and Tips
Quick answer: A Christmas lights limo tour in Chicago usually lasts 3 to 4 hours. At our starting rates, a 10-passenger stretch limo costs about $675 for 3 hours, an 18-passenger Hummer stretch about $1,050 to $1,400, and our 30-passenger party bus about $1,050 to $1,400, before gratuity. Split across a full vehicle on a 4-hour tour, that works out to about $47 to $107 per person for a warm, door-to-door night of holiday lights with no parking and no one stuck driving.
Written by the Emily’s Limousine Service team. We are based in Orland Park and have driven families, friends and office teams to Chicago’s holiday light displays for more than 25 years. The prices below are our real starting rates.
Chicago in December is beautiful and cold. A lights tour in a limo or party bus solves the hard parts: the icy parking lots, the long walks back to the car, and deciding who drives home. Your chauffeur drops you at the entrance, waits nearby with the heat running, and takes you to the next stop. This guide covers the best displays to visit from the south suburbs, sample routes, what each vehicle costs and when to book.
Christmas Lights Limo Tour Cost in Chicago
| Vehicle | Seats | Starting Rate | 3 Hours | 4 Hours | Per Person at 4 Hours (Full) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator | 6 | $160 / hour | $480 | $640 | About $107 |
| MKT Stretch Limo | 10 | $225 / hour | $675 | $900 | $90 |
| 14 Passenger Party Sprinter | 14 | $250 / hour | $750 | $1,000 | About $71 |
| Hummer Stretch Limo | 18 | $350 / hour | $1,050 | $1,400 | About $78 |
| Freightliner Party Bus | 30 | $350 / hour | $1,050 | $1,400 | About $47 |
| 35 Passenger Coach | 35 | $450 / hour | $1,350 | $1,800 | About $51 |
All totals are before gratuity (18 to 20%), tolls and parking. Stretch limos, party buses and coaches have a 3-hour minimum, while SUVs and Sprinters have a 2-hour minimum. December weekends are peak dates, so rates and minimums can be higher. See our pricing page for the full fleet, or our limousine rental cost guide for more on how limo pricing works.
Best Holiday Light Displays to Visit From the South Suburbs
Hours, dates and ticket rules change each season, so check each venue’s website before you book your tickets. Drive times below are from Orland Park in normal evening traffic.
Illumination at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle
About 35 minutes away. Illumination lights up the arboretum’s trees with color, music and interactive displays along a walking trail. Entry is by timed ticket, so buy tickets first and then book your vehicle around your entry time. The trail is outdoors, so dress warmly and plan about 90 minutes on site.
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
About 30 minutes away. Brookfield’s holiday event fills the zoo with light displays and seasonal activities, which makes it one of the easiest family stops from the south suburbs. It pairs well with a dinner stop for a 3-hour evening.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
About an hour away. ZooLights is a long-running Chicago tradition on the north side. Because street parking near the zoo is tight on December evenings, it is one of the stops where a chauffeured drop-off at the gate saves the most time.
Downtown Chicago: Magnificent Mile, State Street and Millennium Park
About 45 minutes to an hour away. Downtown is a lights tour you can mostly enjoy from the vehicle: the lights along Michigan Avenue, the holiday windows on State Street and the tree at Millennium Park. Add the Christkindlmarket for mulled drinks and ornaments, and the chauffeur can circle or wait while your group walks.
Neighborhood Displays Close to Home
Some of the best lights are on residential streets in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Homer Glen and Frankfort. Send us the addresses you want to see and we will build them into your route, so you spend the night looking at lights instead of reading a map.
Sample Christmas Lights Tour Routes
Route 1: South Suburbs Family Night (3 Hours)
- Pickup at home in the south suburbs
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, about 90 minutes on site
- Drive-by tour of neighborhood light displays on the way home
- Best vehicle: MKT stretch limo for up to 10, about $675
Route 2: Downtown Classic (4 Hours)
- Pickup in the south suburbs
- Slow drive along Michigan Avenue and State Street windows
- Walk through Millennium Park and the Christkindlmarket
- Optional ZooLights stop before heading home
- Best vehicle: Hummer stretch for up to 18, about $1,400
Route 3: Illumination and Dinner (4 Hours)
- Pickup timed to your Illumination entry ticket
- About 90 minutes on the Illumination trail
- Dinner reservation nearby or back in the south suburbs
- Best vehicle: 14-passenger Party Sprinter, about $1,000
Limo or Party Bus for a Lights Tour?
- Couples and small families (up to 6): A Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator is warm, quiet and easy to get in and out of at each stop.
- Families and friend groups (up to 18): A stretch limo or Hummer stretch makes the night feel like an event, with room to stretch out between stops.
- Bigger groups and office teams (up to 30): Our party bus rental gives everyone room to stand, play music and enjoy the ride. It also has the lowest cost per person when it is full.
- Company outings and church groups (up to 57): A coach bus keeps a large group together all night.
Still deciding? Our guide to limousine vs. party bus compares both side by side, and you can see every vehicle in our fleet.
December Booking Timeline
| When | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Early to mid November | Pick your date and buy timed tickets for any ticketed displays |
| 4 to 6 weeks before a Friday or Saturday | Book your limo or party bus to secure the vehicle you want |
| 1 to 2 weeks before a weeknight | Weeknight tours can often be booked on shorter notice |
| 1 week before | Send your final headcount, pickup address and the neighborhood addresses you want to see |
| Day of the tour | Dress warmly, bring your tickets and be ready at your pickup time |
What Your Lights Tour Quote Includes
| Cost Item | How It Is Handled |
|---|---|
| Vehicle and chauffeur | Billed hourly for the full tour, including time the chauffeur waits at each stop |
| Minimum hours | 3 hours for stretch limos, party buses and coaches, 2 hours for SUVs and Sprinters |
| Gratuity | 18 to 20%, added unless it is already included in your quote |
| Parking and tolls | Added when your route or venues charge them |
| Display tickets | Purchased by your group directly from each venue |
| Deposit | Required to reserve your vehicle and lock in your rate, with the balance due before or on the day of service |
Tips for a Great Holiday Lights Night
- Buy timed tickets first. For ticketed displays, lock in your entry time, then book the vehicle around it.
- Book early for Fridays and Saturdays. The weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas fill first. Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead for those dates.
- Go on a weeknight to save. Monday through Thursday evenings are easier to book and the displays are less crowded.
- Dress for the walk, not the ride. The vehicle stays warm, but walking trails at the arboretum and the zoos are outdoors.
- Plan one or two main stops. Three hours goes quickly. Two stops with a relaxed pace beat four rushed ones.
- Ask about the beverage policy. If adults in your group plan to bring drinks, ask about our onboard policy when you book. No one under 21 drinks onboard.
For what to expect from your chauffeur and how tipping works, read our limousine etiquette guide.
Plan the Whole Holiday Season
Many groups pair a lights tour with other December plans. Companies treating their team to a lights tour can set up invoicing through our corporate limousine service. If you are organizing the office celebration, see our holiday party car service guide. For the big night at the end of the month, read our New Year’s Eve limo and party bus guide. Our special events transportation covers every other celebration in between.
Christmas Lights Limo Tour FAQ
How much does a Christmas lights limo tour cost in Chicago?
At our starting rates, a 3-hour tour costs about $675 in a 10-passenger stretch limo and $1,050 in an 18-passenger Hummer stretch or 30-passenger party bus, before gratuity.
How long should a Christmas lights tour be?
Three hours works for one main display plus neighborhood lights. Four hours is better for downtown or for a ticketed display combined with dinner.
Can the chauffeur wait while we walk through a display?
Yes. Your vehicle and chauffeur stay with you for the whole booking, so the chauffeur waits nearby while your group walks through and picks you up at the exit.
Can we choose our own route?
Yes. Send us the displays and neighborhood addresses you want to see, and we will plan the order and timing for you.
When should I book a holiday lights tour?
Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead for December Fridays and Saturdays. Weeknights can often be booked 1 to 2 weeks out.
Is a lights tour a good option for kids?
Yes. Family lights tours are some of our most popular December bookings. Let us know the ages of the children in your group when you book so we can plan the right vehicle.
Is gratuity included?
A standard chauffeur gratuity of 18 to 20% may be added unless it is already included in your quote. Your quote shows the full total before you book.
Are display tickets included in the price?
No. Your quote covers the vehicle and chauffeur. Buy tickets for ticketed displays directly from each venue, then share your entry time with us.
What is your deposit and cancellation policy?
A deposit reserves your vehicle and locks in your rate, and the balance is due before or on the day of service. Cancellations made with sufficient notice are eligible for a refund of the deposit, while late cancellations may be subject to a fee.
How can we pay?
We accept major credit cards and cash. Companies booking a team outing can be invoiced through a corporate account.
Can you pick up guests from more than one address?
Yes. We can collect guests from several homes before the tour starts. Each pickup adds a little time, which we include in your quote.
Can we add a dinner stop?
Yes. Many groups pair a lights tour with dinner. Book a 4-hour tour so you have time for one display, dinner and a drive past neighborhood lights.
What happens if it snows?
Our chauffeurs drive Chicago winters every year. On snowy nights, we allow extra time between stops so your group can still enjoy the tour safely.
How many people fit in a Hummer stretch limo?
Our Hummer stretch limo seats up to 18 passengers, which makes it a popular choice for extended families and friend groups.
Book Your Christmas Lights Tour
December evenings book quickly. Tell us your date, group size and the displays you want to see, and we will build a route and quote that fits. Request a free quote or call Emily’s Limousine Service in Orland Park at (312) 446-7505. We are available 24/7.
