Some Visitors Say Holiday Lights Are Worth An Hour In Traffic
The $10 carload show draws complaints about a slow entrance and praise for the displays.
A visitor who went to the East Peoria Festival of Lights in December 2025 reported waiting nearly an hour to move half a mile toward the entrance.
The reviewer, who gave four stars, pointed to a single dedicated entry lane. The lighting displays were very nice, the reviewer wrote, and admission was $10 for a carload, with a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card handed out at the entrance.
That account captures the trade at this drive-through show in East Peoria, Illinois. The wait at the gate can be long, while some visitors say the lights make the trip worthwhile. The festival is rated 4.7 stars from 560 ratings and runs evenings through the holiday season.
A December 2021 reviewer described that payoff after bringing grandsons: “The array of lights and the excitement of my grandsons was worth the trip.”
The same reviewer added: “It was nice introducing another generation to the great display of Christmas lights.” The reviewer also wrote: “Hasn't changed much except the flow of traffic.”
The wait is a recurring complaint. Another visitor wrote about arriving at 5:30 on a Monday, waiting more than an hour, and still calling the visit worth it. Once visitors enter the park, they are not allowed to stop.
A reviewer described returning across generations: “I have been going every year since I was a kid and now I get to bring my children to experience the excitement and awe of all of the beautiful lights.”
Some reviewers praised the effort behind the displays. One December 2025 reviewer wrote that the Christmas season is not complete without a visit. The reviewer who described going every year since childhood thanked organizers for another great year.
Questions people ask
Where is the show and when can I go?
The show is in East Peoria, Illinois, and runs as a drive-through in the evening during the holiday season. The listing gives Monday through Thursday and Sunday hours as 5 to 9 p.m., with Friday and Saturday hours until 11 p.m.
What does it cost?
Reviewers report $10 per car. One December 2025 reviewer also reported receiving a $10 restaurant gift card at the entrance, but the listing does not promise that offer every night.
Can you stop to look at the lights?
No. A reviewer reported that drivers are not allowed to stop once they enter the park. That makes the displays a slow drive past rather than a stop and look visit.