Rockford, Illinois is home to a garden Christmas lights display that belongs on every individual’s bucket list. Make your holiday season even more magical with a visit to this annual attraction. Scroll on for more details and to see why The Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens’ holiday exhibit, All Aglow, features some of the best Christmas lights in Illinois.

The Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in northern Illinois spans 11,000 square feet along the Rock River and is open year round for locals and tourists to explore exotic plants.
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During the holidays, both the inside and outside are illuminated with a myriad of holiday lights. This event is known as All Aglow and it is a true sight to behold.
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The event typically takes place between the end of November and the beginning of January. Be sure to check their website for exact hours and admission prices. All Aglow is included in your general admission.
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Depending on member and veteran status, as well as age, the price to enter is usually between $2 and $8 while children below the age of 2 are admitted for free.
The indoor portion of this garden Christmas lights display is the most spectacular of all. Twinkling strings of lights, as well as orbs, hang among the tropical plants in the greenhouse.
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Other events going on alongside this garden Christmas lights display include a Christmas train ride, breakfast with Santa, and a choir show.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens - Rockford Park District
There is so much to explore at this festive garden that you may go through it a few times making sure you've seen it all, and there's nothing wrong with that.
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Enjoy the wonders at this lovely conservatory for as long as you please when you visit - and don't forget to bring a camera.
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Learn more about All Aglow on the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens website or Facebook page and plan your visit for this holiday season.

For more like this, check out the Japanese Gardens nearby in Rockford, Illinois.

If you’ve ever seen these garden Christmas lights, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.

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Christmas in Illinois

Katie Feldkamp | October 24, 2022

Are there any Christmas train rides in Illinois?

The short answer to this question is yes! The Chicago Union Station has one of the best Christmas train rides in Illinois. You can imagine you’re headed to the North Pole on any of their magical journeys and if you are lucky, you may catch a view of Santa!

Where are the best Christmas towns in Illinois?

Every state loves to feel festive and bright during the holiday season. We have compiled a list of the best Christmas towns in Illinois you’ll want to be sure to visit. From a reindeer farm in Canton to a Holiday Lights and Sights competition in Effingham, there’s no shortage of Christmas cheer when you visit these places. Perhaps the most festive town of all is Rockford, Illinois. The Holiday Pops have their annual concert of favorite Christmas carols, the Rockford River lights leave the river glowing, and at the Midway Village Museum, you can go back to the 1800s and enjoy a Victorian Christmas celebration.

Are there any unique things to do at Christmastime in Illinois?

Every year, the town of Belleville, Illinois hosts a German Christmas market like no other. Inspired by the markets in Germany, Christkindlemarket is an annual outdoor market full of plenty of stands to help with your holiday shopping. If you work up an appetite from all your shopping, enjoy some authentic German foods and drinks. Don’t miss all the other festivities included in the market such as a parade, tree-lighting celebration, and live music.

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Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, North 2nd Street, Rockford, IL, USA