# Cosley Zoo Festival of Lights & Christmas Tree Sale > Event for families in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin area (IL / IN). Times are Central Time. - When: Nov 27 – Dec 30 · 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM - Where: Cosley Zoo, 1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187 - Ages: All ages (completely free zoo admission; compact 5-acre flat grounds ideal for toddlers and strollers) - Price: Free admission during Festival of Lights; fresh Christmas trees, wreaths, hot cider, and holiday treats sold on-site. - Organizer: Cosley Zoo & Wheaton Park District - Official page: https://cosleyzoo.org/festival-of-lights/ - Last checked: Wed, Nov 4 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/cosley-zoo-festival-of-lights-and-christmas-tree-sale--listing-01e5a5122981d36969df51cc ## About Nestled in suburban Wheaton, the 5-acre Cosley Zoo lights up for the holidays with more than 20,000 brilliant LED lights transforming the charming historic farm grounds into a dazzling winter wonderland. Visitors can marvel at glowing light displays shaped like farm animals, native wildlife, and holiday symbols while meeting the zoo's resident sheep, goats, foxes, bobcats, owls, and horses bundled up for winter. Admission to Cosley Zoo is completely free throughout the Festival of Lights, making it one of the most accessible and affordable holiday outings in the western suburbs. Families can purchase fresh Fraser fir, balsam, and Douglas fir Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, warm apple cider, and homemade baked goods at the zoo's annual benefit sale supporting zoo conservation. ## Similar picks in Chicago - [The Morton Arboretum: Illumination: Tree Lights](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/the-morton-arboretum-illumination-tree-lights--listing-7385975c329f3010fefcd4d6) — Nov 14 – Jan 2 · 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM · The Morton Arboretum, Lisle · All ages · From $22 · checked Nov 4. Now in its 14th year, Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum in west-suburban Lisle turns 50 acres of majestic living trees into a breathtaking wonderland of light… - [A Marvelous Christmas Light Show](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/a-marvelous-christmas-light-show--listing-e04ae0dff47a0721366cb815) — Sun, Nov 22 · Cantigny Park, Wheaton · checked Nov 9. Walk through the holiday light show with music inspired by superhero films. The gardens and lights feature an alternate version of Christmas at Cantigny. - [Festival of Lights & Tree Sale at Cosley Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/festival-of-lights-and-tree-sale-at-cosley-zoo--listing-55eaaafc52f66e78892d92da) — Nov 27 – Dec 30 · 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM · Cosley Zoo, Wheaton · All ages · Free · checked Oct 28. Cosley Zoo in Wheaton becomes a winter wonderland for the holidays, with thousands of twinkling lights (switched on at 3 p.m.), Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery for sale… - [Illumination: Tree Lights 2026–2027](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/illumination-tree-lights-2026-2027--listing-2351caabf422cee46897c1c2) — Nov 14 – Jan 2 · The Morton Arboretum, Lisle · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 11. 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