# Jingle Jam Nights with Santa at Lightscape

> Event for families in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin area (IL / IN). Times are Central Time.

- When: Wed, Dec 9 (+1 more date) · 4:30 PM
- Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
- Ages: Families; all ages
- Price: Plan-ahead pricing by date and entry time (many dates currently under $30); $3 service fee per paid nonmember ticket; nonmember parking $18 in advance or $25 on arrival
- Organizer: Chicago Botanic Garden
- Official page: https://secure.chicagobotanic.org/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=2050&C=22129
- Last checked: Tue, Oct 27

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 2, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-01), 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/jingle-jam-nights-with-santa-at-lightscape--listing-b28e8a795eb15be5ccd84c43

## About

On two Wednesday evenings in December the Chicago Botanic Garden turns its Lightscape light trail into Jingle Jam Nights, when families can meet Santa and other festive characters along the route. Lightscape itself is an after-dark walking trail of large light installations set to music, including a walk-in snow globe and a ballerina of light that dances across the sky; Jingle Jam Nights add the character meet-and-greets to the usual trail. It is aimed at families with children who want a Santa visit folded into an evening of holiday lights rather than a separate photo appointment. Tickets are sold for timed entry in 15-minute windows and prices vary by date, so buying ahead gives the best choice. Strollers are welcome. Hot cocoa, snacks and kids' food are sold at stands along the trail. Plan for cold weather: the event runs rain or shine and is cancelled only when conditions are hazardous.

## Similar picks in Chicago

- [Cookies with Santa at Cheney Mansion](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/cookies-with-santa-at-cheney-mansion--listing-d16f01973c0d5291f702d60e) — Wed, Dec 9 · 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Cheney Mansion, Oak Park · All ages · checked Oct 16. On Wednesday, December 9, children can share cookies with Santa at Cheney Mansion before he leaves on his round-the-world trip. Bring a wish list and a camera for a selfie with…
- [Santa Express Train Ride — Wheaton](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/santa-express-train-ride-wheaton--listing-17c9a29ae2ee94af5c60fd87) — Thu, Dec 10 (+3 more dates) · 9:45 AM · Wheaton Train Station (departure) and DuPage County Historical Museum · From $35 · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 30. The DuPage County Historical Museum's Santa Express is a special Metra train ride from the Wheaton Train Station. Santa travels through the car posing for photos and asking each…
- [Elf Meetup at Santa's Mailbox in Mallinckrodt Park — Wilmette](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/elf-meetup-at-santa-s-mailbox-in-mallinckrodt-park-wilmette--listing-1de7938408bb0ddbebe8c8a8) — Thu, Dec 10 · 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Mallinckrodt Park — Gazebo, Wilmette · Free · checked Oct 20. Kids can hand-deliver their letters to Santa at the Elf Meetup on Thursday, December 10, from 4 to 5 pm at the gazebo in Wilmette's Mallinckrodt Park, 1041A Ridge Road. One of…
- [Pizza with Santa — Wheaton](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/pizza-with-santa-wheaton--listing-7bb7ba6ed077e5be20f56646) — Thu, Dec 3 (+1 more date) · 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM · Ray Morrill Community Center, Wheaton · From $20 · checked Oct 16. Ray Morrill Community Center hosts Pizza with Santa on Thursday, December 3, and Friday, December 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Kids eat pizza, make a craft and have their photo taken…
- [Holiday Lights Tree Lighting and Santa Visits — Homewood](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/holiday-lights-tree-lighting-and-santa-visits-homewood--listing-7bb955cb1aa4ed9212abc0fa) — Fri, Dec 4 · 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM · Irwin Park, Homewood · checked Oct 30. Homewood's annual tree-lighting ceremony at Irwin Park, followed by Santa visits and reindeer-food making, with festivities across downtown Homewood.
- [Merry Museum with Santa](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/merry-museum-with-santa--listing-812165d21352aaafdb65212a) — Fri, Dec 4 (+1 more date) · 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM · DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville · From $15 · checked Oct 28. An evening of holiday making and play with an optional Santa visit.

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids at Chicago Botanic Garden](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/venues/chicago-botanic-garden) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/venues/chicago-botanic-garden.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Glencoe, IL](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/towns/glencoe-il) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/towns/glencoe-il.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Cook County, IL](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/counties/cook-county-il) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/counties/cook-county-il.md)
- [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in Chicago](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/christmas.md)
- [This weekend in Chicago](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Chicago](https://grassyknees.com/chicago) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/chicago.md)
