One of the largest free outdoor holiday light displays in the Chicago area, the Festival of Lights, opens on Friday for its ninth season at Aurora’s Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive.

Sponsored by the Aurora Rotary Club, in partnership with the city of Aurora, this signature winter event is a drive-through of more than one mile of spectacular lighted displays, many of which are animated.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, and running through Sunday, Dec. 27, the light show is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“Tens of thousands of visitors were drawn to Phillips Park last year, and I am pleased that the city of Aurora is able to, once again, partner with the Aurora Noon Rotary Club to showcase such a premiere event,” said Mayor Tom Weisner.

Returning displays include The Elf Village, Santa’s Toy Factory, Old Man Winter, holiday trains, gigantic snowflakes, lighted holiday trees and so much more. Visitors can tune their car radios to the station listed at the festival’s entrance and sing-a-long with classic holiday favorites as they travel the magnificent mile of lights.

The festival is free. However, volunteers are at the end of the route to accept donations that benefit local charities.

The Aurora Rotary Club distributes the funds collected at the festival to organizations most in need including those that serve the homeless, youth, seniors, domestic shelters, and the physically and developmentally challenged. More than 45 local community organizations have benefited from the Festival of Lights since it began in 2007.

The Festival of Lights is sponsored by more than two dozen local companies, organizations and individuals whose support has allowed the event to expand every year since its inception. Hundreds of community members setup and dismantle the festival every year and volunteer for other duties during the course of the event.

“The true value of the Festival of Lights is more than its amazing entertainment value. lt is the value that comes from civic-minded groups and volunteers working together to make something exciting and uplifting happen in our community,” Weisner said. “As the Aurora Noon Rotary Club continues to enhance the Festival of Lights, I know that the festival will grow to become a tradition that families will enjoy and pass down to their children.”

For more information, visit www.aurorafestivaloflights.com.

About the City of Aurora, IL

Located 35 miles west of Chicago, Aurora is the second largest city in Illinois with a population of 200,456. Aurora is known as the “City of Lights” because it was one of the first in the nation to illuminate its streets with electric lights.  Situated along the Fox River and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88), the city extends 46 square miles encompassing Kane, DuPage, Kendall and Will counties.  Aurora also is home to six public school districts and seven townships. For the latest news, access to an archive of past news releases or to follow the city on Facebook or Twitter, visit the city’s website at www.aurora-il.org.