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.

A few tips before you go:

  1. Go to the bathroom before you leave! Many of these events do not have bathrooms available, or only have a limited number of Portapotties on-site, so do your business before you leave your house.
  2. Bring snacks, water, games, tablets, or books. These events will likely have waits so prepare some items to keep your kids busy while you wait.
  3. Set the mood with hot cocoa. One of our favorite things to do is make hot cocoa, put it in travel cups, and drive around looking at lights. 
  4. Print off our Christmas Decorations Scavenger Hunt, or save it to your phone, to give the kids something fun to do while they look at the lights!

Here are the drive-thru Christmas events and activities you can attend this year.

Community Christmas Spectacular at City First Church
5950 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford, IL
December 3 – 5, 10 – 12, and 17 – 19 from 6 pm – 9 pm

Cost: Free

Drive through the City First Church parking lot to experience the lights and wonder of Christmas from your car. There will be a 300 ft. mega light tunnel, Olaf and Frozen Land, and Santa Land.

Hometown Christmas Drive-Thru at Belvidere Park
1006 W. Lincoln Ave., Belvidere, IL
December 4 from 5 pm – 8 pm

Cost: Free

Drive through Belvidere Park to see light displays, The Grinch, Elf on a Shelf, Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus too. There will be giveaways and goodies as well. This event is being held instead of the traditional Hometown Christmas events.

Christmas Drive Thru Event at GPS Faith Community
10714 N. 2nd St., Machesney Park, IL
December 12 from 5 pm – 7 pm

Cost: Free

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

Drive Thru Live Nativity at St. Mark Lutheran Church
675 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL
December 19 from 6 pm – 9 pm

Cost: Free

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

Festival of Lights at Sinnissippi Park
1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, IL
November 27 – December 31, 2020
from 5 pm – 11 pm
24 hours on Christmas Eve and Day

Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated!

This is a classic drive-thru Rockford event that’s been socially distanced for the past 30 years! Check out over 50 light displays including a 100 foot light tunnel throughout Sinnissippi Park. Santa will be there from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm every weekend before Christmas. There is a red mailbox to put your letters to Santa. Include your return address so Santa can write you back if you get your letter to him before December 20th. Expect that lines will be long and there will be a wait most days this holiday season. 

Image credit: Goebberts

Up for a drive to see more awesome Christmas light shows?

If you’re in the mood for a really spectacular drive-thru Christmas light show, there are several other large light shows within a 90 minute drive of Rockford, Illinois. Pack up the kids, get some hot cocoa in thermos, and head out to see these awesome shows. Most of these shows require tickets to be bought in advance.

Goebbert’s Farm Christmas Lightshow
42W813 Reinking Rd., Pingree Grove, IL
November 20 – January 3, 2021

Tuesday  – Thursday and Sunday from 5 pm – 10 pm
Friday and Saturday from 5 pm – 11 pm

Goebbert’s is a large light show through the farm with a light tunnel and displays.

Drive time: 50 minutes from Rockford

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

Purchase your tickets in advance here or at the entrance.

Santa’s Rock N Lights
1060 County Fairgrounds and Event Center
November 29 – January 3, 2021

Sunday – Thursday 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday and Saturday from 5 pm – 10 pm

Santa’s Rock N Lights is an animated light show with 700 feet of tunnels and dinosaur world.

Drive time: 95 minutes from Rockford

Cost: $32.99 per car with 6 passengers or less

Purchase your tickets in advance here.

Country Christmas
2810 Golf Rd., Waukesha, WI
November 29 – January 2, 2021

Sunday – Thursday 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday and Saturday from 5 pm – 10 pm

Country Christmas is Wisconsin’s largest drive thru Christmas light display. Admission includes entrance to two buildings located at the end of the trial.

Drive time: 90 minutes from Rockford

Cost: $20 per car or minivan
$30 per large passenger van

Purchase your tickets in advance here.

Happy Holiday Roadway
7000 Olson Rd., Union, IL
November 27 – December 20

Saturday and Sunday from 5 pm – 8 pm

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

Drive time: 45 minutes from Rockford

Cost: $10 per car

No advance tickets are necessary. Purchase when you get there.

Did we miss any Christmas Drive-Thru events that you know of? Email us at hello@statelinekids.com so we can get them on our list!

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