Where To See Santa In The Chicago Area

ILLINOIS — Santa Claus is coming to a town near you this season. The holiday season is in full swing and if your little one wants to share their wish list — and even snap a photo — with jolly St. Nick, there are lots of places in Illinois to do it.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

Here's where you can see Santa in the Chicago area.

Cook County

Chicago

• Reservations are open now to see the Big Guy at Santaland at Macy's on State Street. Make a reservation five days before your visit and check Santaland's hours here.
• Photos with Santa are available at ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Dec. 23.

Chicago Ridge Mall: Santa will be at Chicago Ridge Mall through Dec. 24, so bring the family to create memories with a photo. Families can save time by reserving their visit in advance through VIP Photos. Hours and pricing vary. Questions or reservation concerns? Contact VIP Holiday Photos at customerservice@viprec.com or by phone at 1-866-980-8693.

Orland Park: Santa photos are available through Dec. 24 at Orland Square Mall. Receive a free phone call from Santa when you book online. Private photos with Caring Santa in a sensory friendly environment are also available. Pet Night will also offer photos with Santa and pets on Dec. 11. Reservations are highly recommended.

Rosemont: Visits with Santa are free and photo packages are available at Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Santa will be at Fashion Outlets through Dec. 24. View hours and make a reservation online.

DuPage County

Aurora: Photos with Santa are available through Dec. 24 at Fox Valley Mall. Reservations and pre-purchased photo packages available. Pet photo nights from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 8 and 15. Sensory-friendly Santa will be there from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

Downers Grove: Complimentary visits with Santa in his gingerbread house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18 in downtown Downers Grove.

Lombard: Yorktown Center is hosting visits with Santa through Dec. 24. Check website for hours and photo pricing.

Naperville: Santa's workshop will come to the Riverwalk Cafe through Dec. 22. Registration is $10 per family for residents and $15 per family for non-residents. Advance registration is required. Remember to bring your camera. Pet night is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29. Special needs night is from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1.

Oak Brook:Have photos taken with Santa through Dec. 24 at Oakbrook Center. Receive a free phone call from Santa when you book online.

Wheaton: Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at the "W" tent in downtown Wheaton Saturday through Dec. 17. Hours vary.

Kane County

Geneva:

• Photos with Santa are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 18 at Geneva Commons.
• Visits with the jolly old elf at Santa's house in downtown Geneva from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18. $10 per visit. Make a reservation online. Don’t forget to drop your letter to Santa in the mailbox on the Courthouse lawn or in the visitor center.

Lake County

Gurnee: Book photos with Santa through Dec. 24 at Gurnee Mills. Private photos with Caring Santa in a sensory friendly environment are also available. Santa's arrival parade is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30.

Vernon Hills: Take photos with Santa at Hawthorn Mall through Dec. 24. Guests strongly encouraged to make reservations. A sensory friendly Santa visit is set for 10 to 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Pet nights are from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12.

Will County

Bolingbrook: Kids can see Santa for free at Bass Pro Shops, 709 Janes Avenue. Reservations are recommended.

Homer Glen: Santa will visit R.P. Home & Harvest, 15830 S. Bell Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Event is free.

Joliet: Santa will be at the Louis Joliet Mall through Dec. 24. Prices vary. Free digital download with paid reservation. Pet visits with Santa every Monday.