Illinois’ oldest outdoor free Christmas display opened Sunday, Dec. 14, in Aurora.
The 74th annual Lehnertz Avenue drive-thru event featured a 6 p.m. blessing of the nativity crib by Fr. Godwin Asuquo, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Aurora. After he returned to give the blessing, Lehnertz Avenue Association president Lisa Hardekopf briefly welcomed visitors. Music by a children’s choir from St. Joseph and live streaming of the blessing were canceled due to frigid weather.
The blocks-long display features lawn signs and cut out figures of religious and secular figures placed on homeowners’ lawns.
The display on Lehnertz Avenue and Lehnertz Circle to the east, featuring Charlie Brown characters, is open 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily through January 2, 2026.
The lights will glow all night on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
The display is sponsored by a nonprofit association of neighborhood residents on Aurora’s far East side.
Lehnertz is recognized as the oldest, free traditional Christmas display in Illinois.
Visitors should enter Lehnertz Avenue via Sheridan Street, go through Lehnertz Circle and exit via Ohio Street.
—Al Benson