Santa Back In Mokena For Christmas: Where To See Him

MOKENA, IL — Santa Claus will be back in Mokena this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

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. In Mokena, kids have several chances:

Kids will be able to get their photo taken with Santa at his Secret Workshop between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday. The workshop and craft fair will take place at Mokena Elementary School, which is located at 11244 Willowcrest Lane.

Santa will be making an appearance at a breakfast for local kids from 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 11 at Jamo's Live, which is located at 10160 191st St.

Santa will be making appearances at Orland Square Mall at 3 Orland Square beginning on Saturday with photo opportunities available from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Photos will continue at the mall every day through Dec. 15 and on most days, photos will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the exception of Dec. 10 when Santa will be available from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Santa will also be available at a special event called Santa’s North Pole Adventure, which will be held at the Metra Station on 143rd Street. The program is sold out but residents with tickets are able to attend programs from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 and again at the same time on Dec. 10.

Santa arrived on Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged. The closest store is located at 709 Janes Ave. in Bolingbrook.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, and Orlando. In Chicago, Santa will be on the 5th floor of Macy’s at 111 N. State St. until Dec. 24 Reservations are required, by clicking here.

JC Penney stores, including stores at several Chicago-area stores including at Orland Square Mall, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.