Where To See Santa Around Winnetka This Christmas Season

WINNETKA, IL — Santa Claus will be back in the Winnetka area 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.

Families have several chances this December in the Winnetka area:

Visit with Santa
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11, Chalet, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
Santa will be on hand at Chalet in Wilmette and available for photos with no appointment required.

Breakfast With Santa
8:30-10:30 a.m., Dec. 3, 10, 17, Allgauer's on the Riverfront, 2855 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook
In addition to photos with Santa and a breakfast buffet, tickets include the opportunity for families to decorate their own holiday cookies.

Santa's Mailbox
Through Dec. 20, Winnetka Park District, 540 Hibbard Road, Winnetka
Kids can mail their letters to Santa by dropping them off prior to Dec. 20 at the Winnetka Park District before elves will drop off the contents with Santa. Letter-writers were asked to include their names and return address to ensure the elves know where to send the response.

Santa at Lincolnwood Town Center
Through Dec. 24, 3333 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood
Reservations are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome at Lincolnwood Town Center for the traditional Santa experience. Santa is available Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a break from 2-3 p.m., on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. with a break from 2:30 to 3 p.m. and on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 1-2 p.m. break.

Photos with a Christmas Story Santa
Through Dec. 24, Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills
Santa will be available for photos at Hawthorn Mall through Christmas Eve, usually from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a lunch break from 2 to 3 p.m. Special pet nights are planned Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 and a sensory-friendly Santa is scheduled for Dec. 4.

Photos with Santa at Northbrook Court
Through Dec. 24, Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook
Santa Claus will be stationed neat the Neiman Marcus for photos by appointment.

Santa's Rock N' Lights
Through Jan. 1, Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake
The pop-up event includes about 1,000 feet of dancing light tunnels, including dinosaurs, reindeer, polar bears, an obstacle course, ornament-making, ax-throwing and photos with Santa.

Santa’s Wonderland arrived last month at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, including the Gurnee Mills location at 6112 W. Grand Ave. in Gurnee, and lasts through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Orlando and Chicago, where reservations are available through Christmas Eve.

Santa is also coming to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in Seattle and New York City. Customers elsewhere can purchase a personalized video message from a Nordstrom Santa.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Vernon Hills, Algonquin, Niles and Schaumburg, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.