The Aurora Festival of Lights is an annual event held from Thanksgiving to after Christmas. However, it is an ongoing operation which begins as early as July when volunteers donate their time and energy to tackle unloading the semi-trailer storage units containing the equipment needed to transform Phillips Park in Aurora into an illuminated display.
Displays are removed, tested, and repaired, hundreds of strings of lights tested and replaced, and plans are created for display locations. Team captains are prepared to assemble their crew for set-up.
All this preparation leads up to the delivery of one of the most spectacular free outdoor light displays in northern Illinois. The sponsoring Noon Rotary Club of Aurora invites everyone to enjoy the lights of the holiday season at Phillips Park, 615 S. Smith Boulevard, Aurora, Friday, Nov. 29 through Thursday, Dec. 26 displays on open every day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., presented and organized by the Noon Aurora Rotary Club in partnership with the city government of Aurora.
—Larry Byers, Aurora Noon Rotary