Santa Houses in Chicagoland
and Northern Illinois
In recent years “Santa Houses” have grown in popularity in many cities and towns. The reason for this is chambers of commerce and business organizations have found having a Santa in a house in the downtown business district is a good way to keep families shopping locally rather than losing the business to a malls in a neighboring city. You’ll find fourteen Chicagoland and Northern Illinois cities and towns that have well publicized Santa Houses. Some of these have been in operation for many years and are a great favorite with area families.
Antioch
Santa at His Home in The Enchanted Castle in Antioch
Antioch, Illinois
www.antiochchamber.org
Santa Castle location:
downtown on Toft St.
(847) 395-2233
Santa Enchanted Castle Days and Hours 2009 :
Friday, November 27th through Wednesday, December 23rd
Fridays Decemer 4th, 11th & 18th - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 pm on weekdays
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Saturday & Sunday.
Note: On Friday, November 27th, Santa will visit children 7 pm until 8 pm following the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - There is a photographer and a charge for photos with Santa which is used to cover the cost of maintaining Santa's Castle or you can take own.
On Friday, November 27th, children can meet with Santa following the Holiday Parade and tree lighting ceremony which begins the Christmas season in Antioch. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at Santa’s Enchanted Castle on Toft Street with the lighting of the tree at the village hall. Santa will be seeing the kids at his home in the Enchanted Castle all the way through December 23rd.
Aurora
Santa at his Home in Phillips Park in Aurora
1000 Ray Moses Dr.
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 978-4774
www.AuroraFestivalofLights.com
Santa’s location:
Phillips Park Visitors Center
Santa in Phillips Park Days and Hours 2009:
Open Saturday and Sunday only starting Saturday, November 28th, through
Sunday, December 20th - Noon to 4 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Be sure and bring your camera, there is no photographer on site.
You can catch Santa Claus in Phillips Park in Aurora, and at the same time take in Aurora’s spectacular Holiday Festival of Lights, (runs from Friday, November 27th through Sunday, December 27th) on the mile long drive through the park. St. Nick will have goodies for the kids, be happy to pose for pictures and listen to what the little ones would like for Christmas. Santa in Phillips Park is part of the Aurora Festival of Lights which is a TOP 10 SANTA EVENT IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
Chicago
Santa and Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza
Daley Plaza
50 W. Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602
www.underthepicasso.us
Santa House Days and Hours: November 25th - December 24th, 2009
Santa’s House will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only 11 am - 8 pm
The exceptions to this are: Wednesday, November 25th, open 6 pm - 8 pm
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th and Christmas Eve, December 24th
open 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Note: Santa takes a break every day from 3 pm to 4 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Photos are available for purchase in the Santa House or you can take your own pictures.
You’ll find jolly old St. Nick in the heart of downtown Chicago in the gaily decorated Santa House near the 85-foot tall Christmas tree in Daly Plaza. Santa’s house shares the Plaza with the authentic Christkindlmarket, a month long open air traditional German holiday market, where you can enjoy native foods, crafts and shopping from over forty vendors in timber booths. There’s plenty of holiday entertainment and cheer for both adults and children at this winter wonderland. Santa and Christkindlmarket at Daly Plaza is a TOP 10 SANTA EVENT IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
Santa House at Daley Plaza and Santa in his House at Daley Plaza- sponsored by
the Mayor's Office of Special Events.
Crystal Lake
Santa House at the Brink Street Market Crystal Lake
Downtown Crystal Lake/Main Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(815) 479-0835
downtowncl@sbcglobal.net
Santa House location
Brink Street Market
near the clock at Brink & Williams Streets
in Downtown Crystal Lake
Santa House Days and Hours 2009:
The Crystal Lake Santa House opens the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27th 2009 and will remain open through Sunday, December 23rd as follows:
Thursdays & Fridays - 6 pm - 8 pm
Saturdays 10 am - 3 pm
Sundays noon - 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - There is no photographer on site so be sure and bring a camera.
Where do you think you’ll find Santa in Crystal Lake—at the Santa House, where else? Stop by and see the guy who brings all the presents in his great little place. He’s ready for the kids to vist him and naturally Santa just can’t wait to all their their wants and desires.
Downers Grove
Santa at the Santa House Downers Grove Downtown
Sponsor: Downers Grove Downtown
Santa's House
Corner of Main & Curtiss Sts.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 725-0991
www.downtownDG.org
Santa House Days and Hours 2009:
Sunday, November 29th, - 11 am - 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday December 5th & 6th, 12th & 13th, & 19th & 20th - 11 am - 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Be sure and bring your camera, there is no photographer on site.
If your are planning to be in Downers Grove, be sure and bring the children to see Santa in his downtown home . In addition to Santa, every Saturday, there will be Christmas carolers and other groups performing downtown.
Fox Lake
Santa at Santa's Christmas Cottage in Fox Lake
Millennium Park
Grand & Rollins Rds.
Fox Lake, IL 60020
(847) 587-3944 free event
www.foxlake.org/Parks
Santa House Days & Hours 2009: Weekends - December 4th through December 20th,
Fridays - 6 pm - 8 pm
Saturdays - 10 am - 3 pm
Sundays - 12 noon to 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - A photographer is not available at the Santa House so be sure and bring a camera.
Visit with Santa during the Christmas season and have children's pictures taken.
Lansing
Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Santa House in Lansing
Sponsor: Lansing
Chamber of Commerce
Lake & Henry Sts.
Lansing, IL 60438
(708) 474-4170
communitylink.com/us/il/lansing/profile
Santa House Days & Hours 2009:
Santa opens the house on Friday, November 27th, at 6 pm will be there through December 22nd
Mondays & Fridays: 6: pm - 8 pm
Saturdays 1 pm - 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - There is no charge to see Santa, photographs are $4 each .
Children who come to see Santa and Mrs. Claus at their house will receive a special treat.
Mundelein
Santa & Mrs. Claus at Santa's Cottage in Mundelein
Sponsor: Mundelein MainStreet
Park Street & Seymour Avenue
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 970-9235
www.mundeleinmainstreet.org
Santa House Days & Hours 2009: Opens 6:30 pm, Friday, December 4th
(after tree lighting ceremony)
Saturday, December 5th & 12th: 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - A photographer is not available at the Santa House so be sure and bring a camera.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet children and guest of all ages in his unique Cottage.
Naperville
Santa at Riverwalk in Naperville
Naperville IL 60540
(630) 848-5000
www.napervilleparks.org
Santa House location
Jackson Ave. & Webster St.
(along the Riverwalk)
Santa House Days and Hours 2009:
Fridays Decemer 4th, 11th & 18th - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturdays Decemer 5th, 12th & 19th - noon - 6 p.m.
Sundays Decemer 6th, 13th & 20th - noon - 6 p.m.
Open Daily December 14th - 17th - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Photos are available for purchase in the Santa House or you can take your own pictures.
Naperville residents and families from surrounding communities flock to the little red, white and green house at the Riverwalk every December. This is they will find Santa ready to meet the little ones and listen to their Christmas wishes.
Every year two favorite events are Special Needs Nights and Pet Day. Special Needs Nights at Santa House, an evening for children with special needs and their families, will be held on Tuesday, December 1 and Thursday, December 3 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Visits are arranged by appointment to ensure a minimal wait time and an enjoyable experience for the entire family. Reservations, which are required, can be made by calling 630-848-3504. Please note that space is limited.
Pet Day at Santa House, presented by Naperville Animal Hospital, will be held on Wednesday, December 2 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. This is your chance to make your dog or cat part of the family’s holiday celebrations this year. Santa has a treat for each pet. Reservations also are required for this event. Please call 630-848-3504 to reserve your space. Santa at Riverwalk in Naperville is a TOP 10 SANTA EVENT IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
St. Charles
Santa’s House in St. Charles
Sponsor: St. Charles Downtown Partnership
First Street Place Plaza
(Behind Za Za’s Trattoria)
St. Charles, IL 60174
(630) 513-5386
www.stcholidayhomecoming.com
Santa House Days and Hours 2009: Saturday & Sunday 12 noon - 4:00 pm
November 28th - December 20th
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - A photographer is not available at the Santa House so be sure and bring a camera.
Come downtown with the kids and get pictures with the old guy at his Lincoln Park House.
Wheaton
Santa's Playhouse in Wheaton
Playhouse 111
111 N. Hale Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
1-630-682-0633
www.downtownwheaton.com
Santa House Days and Hours 2009: Saturday, November 28th
& December 6th, 13th & 20th 2009 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Photos are available for purchase in the Santa House or you can take your own pictures.
Children can whisper their wishes in Santa's ear while having their picture taken.
Zion
Santa at “Kringles Kingdom” in Zion
at Emmaus Avenue & Shiloh Blvd.
(25th Street)
Zion, Illinois
(847) 746-4012
www.city ofzion.com
Santa House inside “Kringle's Kingdom” Days and Hours 2009 :
Daily from Friday, December 4th through Wednesday, December 23rd - 5 pm - 9 pm
Note: While Santa is there through the December 23rd the Festival of Lights runs through December 30th, 2009.
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Be sure to bring a camera,
no photographer on site.
The city of Zion in the far northern corner of Lake County goes all out every year for the holiday season. During their annual Festival of Lights, you can ride the free Holly Trolley through the streets of downtown Zion and see many fabulous animated displays at Shiloh Park and Kringle's Kingdom interspersed among hundreds of lighted evergreen trees. The Santa House opens for the season immediately following “Santa’s Arrival” at the Zion Park District Senior Center, and the “Santa Walk” from the Senior Center to his house in “Kringle’s Kingdom,” on Friday, December 4th. From then until the end of the season, you’ll find the old guy in a big chair waiting to hear from the kids—and of course, he’ll have a treat for them. Santa at “Kringles Kingdom” in Zion is a TOP 10 SANTA EVENTS IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
Please note—all of the above events are subject to change without notice