Santa at Illinois Christmas
Tree Farms
A great adventure for children is to go with Mom and Dad to an Illinois Christmas tree farm and pick their own tree, plus have a visit with Santa Claus at the same time. Most of the Illinois Christmas tree farms listed here are an easy drive from the Chicago area, although a couple are further out so you may want to consider making it an overnight excursion. At most of the farms you can get pre-cut trees or if you really want to enjoy the full woodsman’s experience, you can cut your own.
Beecher
Santa at Settlers Pond in Beecher
Santa at Settlers Pond
1301 East Offner Road
Beecher, IL 60401
(708) 946-2448
Email: wjerseylady@earthlink.net
Santa Days and Hours 2009
Saturdays December 5th, 12th & 19th - 11 am - 5 pm
Sundays December 6th, 13th & 20th - 11 am - 5 pm
Location: Settlers Pond Hoofed Animal Shelter & Rescue is located in Beecher, Illinois, less than an hour south of Chicago. They are just west of the Indiana border in the heart of Illinois farm country.
While the farm is open Monday thru Friday 4 pm to 8 pm. Santa is there only on the above weekends from 11 am to 5 pm. Santa and "The Grinch" will be at the farm to visit with children every weekend thru Christmas Eve. The farm has a life size nativity scene with live animals, a kiddie train and an indoor petting zoo. Only precut Christmas trees are available. Christmas wreaths and boughs are also sold. Photos can be purchased in the Santa House or you can take your own pictures.
Harvard
Santa at Ben’s Christmas Tree Farm in Harvard
7720 Ryan Road
Harvard, IL 60033
(630) 279-0216
www.benstreefarm.com
Santa Days and Hours 2009
Saturdays Decemer 5th, 12th & 19th - 9 am - 4:30 pm
Sundays Decemer 6th, 13th & 20th - 9 am - 4:30 pm
Location: On Ryan Road in Harvard. To get there Take I-90 (Jane Addams Tollway) west to US Rte. 20 (Marengo Exit); West on 20 (left) to IL Route 23; North (right) on 23 to Rte. 14 (in Harvard); North (left) on Rte. 14 for one mile to to Rte. 173 West (left) on Rte. 173 about seven miles to Wooster Street (also called Capron Road) in Capron; South (left) on Wooster Street (Capron Road) one mile to the farm.
A wide variety of Illinois Christmas trees are available. Come and see Santa —enjoy free old fashioned horse-drawn wagon wagon rides, as well as free hot chocolate and coffee, doughnuts available while you cut your own tree. Saws and twine provided.
Ben's Christmas Tree Farm has two locations (located within 8 miles of each other) The original farm is located near Harvard, Illinois, while the Fraser Fir farm is located near Capron, Illinois.
Santa and Mrs, Claus at Ben's Christmas Tree Farm
Maple Park
Santa at Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park
1N318 Watson Road
Maple Park, IL 60151
827-5200
www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com
Santa Days and Hours 2009
10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday
Location:
Kuipers farm is located west of Chicagoland. They are ready for the holidays starting in November. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving customers may choose and cut their own Christmas Tree or select a fresh, pre-cut tree. The 2009 harvest will include Scotch Pines, Douglas Firs and Fraser Firs starting at $30. The Orchard Shop and Bakery offers apple cider, cider donuts, home-baked pies, cream & butter fudge, and specialty foods for the holidays. Santa visits start in December. Visit their website for exact dates, hours, coupons and additional information.
Oregon
Santa at Sinnissippi Forest in Oregon, Illinois
3122 South Lowden Road
Oregon, Illinois 61061
(Ogle County)
(815) 732-6240
www.sinnissippiforest.com
Santa Days and Hours 2009
Directions: three miles southeast of Oregon. Off of Rte. 64, go South two miles. Veer off to your right on Lowden Road. Go one mile to Red Holiday Building. You’ll see it on your right.
Open: Friday after Thanksgiving - December 23, Weekdays 10 am - 5:30 pm Weekends 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. including Thanksgiving Friday. Choose and cut fields are only open until 4pm.
Families have been cutting their trees at Sinnissippi Forest since 1948. There are almost 200 acres of Scotch and White Pine, Blue Spruce and a varieties of Firs. On weekends before Christmas the children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, ride in a horse drawn wagon, enjoy apple cider, popcorn, donuts and free candy canes and coloring books.
Santa at Sinnissippi Forest Having a ride with Santa
Rockton
Santa at Williams Tree Farm in Rockton
4661 Yale Bridge Rd.
Rockton, IL 61072
1-800-423-6635
www.williamstreefarm.com
Santa Days and Hours 2009
Saturday, November 21st & 28th - 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, November 22nd & 29th - 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday, December 5th, 12th & 19th - 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, December 6th, 13th & 20th - 10 am - 4 pm
Location: On Yale Bridge Road in Rockton. To get there Take I-90 (Jane Addams Tollway) west through Rockford. Get off at the Rockton Road exit. Turn left at East Rockton Road. Turn right at IL 2. Turn left at Prairie Hill Road. Turn left at South Bluff Road. Turn right at Yale Bridge Road. The farm is about 3.2 miles on the right on Yale Bridge Road.
This is not only a great place to get a Christmas tree, but on weekends leading up to Christmas you can also see Santa, enjoy carolers, take horse drawn hayrides or pony rides, visit the children's farm, ride the kiddy train and much more. On a cold day enjoy some hot apple cider or cocoa. You can then cut your own or get a pre-selected tree or find a beautiful wreath.
Woodstock
Santa at Oney's Tree Farm in Woodstock
16608 Rt. 14
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-4108
Santa Days and Hours 2009
9 am - 4 pm Daily November 29th - December 15th
Precut: Fraser, Balsam, White Pine, Scotch Pine to 14". U Cut: Scotch, White, Red, Austrian Pine; Fraser, Douglas, Concolor Fir; Spruce. Also Trees for planting, wreaths, roping, and center pieces. Live reindeer, arborvitae maze, gift shop. Weekend activities include Santa and Mrs. Claus in the North Pole house, horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, lunch and bakery goodies.
Directions: Located on Hwy. 14 on Route 14, in between Woodstock and Harvard Illinois approximately 7 miles west of Route 47 on the north side of the highway. From Chicago: Take I-90 West to Route. 47. Go North to Route 14. Turn Left (NW and drive 7 miles to the farm on the north side of the highway.
Open: Nov. 28, 2008 (Friday after Thanksgiving)-December 14; Open daily , 9am - 4pm;
Available: White, Scotch, and Austrian Pine; Norway, Blue, White and Green Spruce - also Serbian Spruce, Douglas, Fraser & Concolor Firs; Pre-cut Balsam and Fraser fir. Shaking and netting of most trees available free. Ball and burlap also available. Saws available and twine for tie-down. Also included, pony rides, handmade wreaths (custom decorating available), roping, garland, center pieces and bundles of greens. A gift shop and snack bar are on site.You’ll find, reindeer, horse drawn wagon rides and more. Both Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available on weekends.
Santa at Cal & Shan’s Christmas Tree Farm in Woodstock
9414 U. S. Highway 14
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-8760
Email: dsmith@mc.net
Santa Days and Hours 2009
Saturdays Decemer 5th, 12th & 19th - noon - 6 pm
Sundays Decemer 6th, 13th & 20th - noon - 6 pm
Location: On U. S. Highway 14 between Woodstock & Crystal Lake.
Cal & Shan’s offers weekend visitors in December tractor pulled hayrides, hot cider, cookies, a craft shop and visits with Santa and Mrs. Santa Claus. Wreaths, as well as Christmas trees are available. Both you-choose and cut-your-own tree are offered. Christmas tree varieties include White, Austrian & Scotch pine up to 12 feet, Douglas fir up to 7 feet, Precut Balsam up to 9 feet. All trees $40 including free shaking & netting.
Please note—all of the above events are subject to change without notice