Offbeat, Unusual & Fascinating Chicago Area Santa Events
Santa's preparing to start the 5K Race & 1 Mile Walk in Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights
5th Annual Rotary Santa Run
Arlington Heights Rotary Club
Event Starts and ends at: the South Vail Street Parking Garage
Between West Campbell Street and Sigwalt Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
www.rotaryah.org/RotaryAH.nsf
Santa Event and Hours 2012:
Saturday, December 1st: 10 am - the Reindeer Run starts at 9:15 am
Entry Fees: $23 for those 12 and younger - $33 for anyone over 13 years old if you register online in advance. If you register the day of the event the fee is $35 for those over 13 or $25 for participants 12 and younger. The fee for the Reindeer Run for those 10 and younger is $5.
The Rotary Club of Arlington Heights “Santa Rotary Run is in its fifth year. This fund raising event will have over 1,500 Santa Clauses running and walking through the streets, something you won’t want to miss. One of the requirements is that everyone who participates wears a Santa outfit, yes that includes a white beard, which they receive before the fun begins. Seeing all those red suits at one time is sure to confuse young children watching the race—how will they ever know who is the real Santa? Anyone interested in being part of this event can find an on-line entry form at the Arlington Heights Rotary site listed above.
Chicago
Breakfast with Tomten in Chicago
(Sweden's version of Santa)
Swedish American Museum
5211 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-8111 reservations required
www.samac.org
Santa Event and Hours 2012:
Saturday, December 8th - 9 am
Sunday, December 9th - 9 am
Admission: $15 for both children & adults - museum members, $10 for members and their children - Be sure and bring your camera, there is no photographer on site. Children under one are free. This event can be booked online at the museums website. Note: Pre-paid reservations are required.
Every Christmas Season, The Swedish American Museum hosts a Breakfast with Tomten for children. Enjoy Swedish pancakes, crafts and time on Tomten's lap. Tomten is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore and much like Santa Claus is a legend that grew, changed and expanded over time. The modern Swedish version comes from Viktor Rydberg's 1881 poem Tomten, where the Tomte is alone on a frosty Christmas evening pondering life’s universal mysteries. In the poem which was originally published in the Swedish magazine Ny Illustrerad Tidning the Swedish artist, Jenny Nyström created a picture of warm Tomten to go along with Rydberg's poem. He was an old man with a white beard who just happened to wear a red cap. Since that time Tomten has been part of the Swedish Christmas tradition in the same way that Clement Clarke Moore’s, “The Night Before Christmas” has shaped the American legend of Santa Claus. There will be a Swedish pancake breakfast, and of course, a special visit with Tomten at this event.
Photo courtesy Swedish American Museum
Santa at Holiday Delight and Kodomo Matsuri
(Children's Festival) in Chicago
Japanese American Service Committee of Chicago
4427 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-7212
www.jasc-chicago.org
Santa Event and Hours 2012:
Saturday, November 10th: 10 am - 4 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
East meets West at the JASC’s Holiday Delight and Kodomo Matsuri. Santa is at this annual festival to see the children, have pictures taken and listen to what they would like for Christmas. At the same time the young ones can experience first hand Kodomo Matsuri, a traditional Japanese children’s festival. Here the kids get to learn about Japanese classical cultural performances and enjoy hands-on craft workshops. This holiday event offers a wide variety of Japanese and unique handcrafted goods and other gift items. You’ll find homemade baked foods and Japanese favorites such as teriyaki beef sticks, sushi and other gourmet delights.
Santa Hustle 5K Run and Walk
Adrenaline Sports Management
Event begins at: Soldier Field (SE Side)
Museum Campus Drive & Waldren Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
(847) 829-4536
www.SantaHustle.com
Email: hfrayn@adrenalinesportsmanagement.com
Santa Event and Hours 2012:
Saturday, December 1st: 9 am
Entry Fees: $40
The Santa Hustle 5K Run & Walk, now in its fourth year is an event you have to see with thousands of Santas running through the streets of Chicago. Participants receive a Santa long sleeved shirt, plus a Santa hat and beard. There are plenty of awards for every age group from kids to adults over 80. New this year is the 5K Wheelchair Division and the kids 100 yard dash. The Official Charity of the Santa Hustle is Variety - The Children's Charity of Illinois. Register online through the Santa Hustle website.
Flossmoor
Santa at the Brewery
Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery
1035 Sterling Avenue
Flossmoor, IL 60422
(708) 957-2739 while reservations
are not required, they are recommended
Santa Event and Hours 2012
Sunday, December 16th - Starting at 4 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT Normal dining prices apply
While we don’t think you’ll find Santa downing any brews—he sticks to his milk and cookies—you’ll find him at the Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery for a great evening of holiday fun. “Christmas at the Brewery” is an annual event that offers diners free carriage rides through the downtown streets of Flossmoor. The kids get free pictures with the ol’ guy, with plenty of time to let him know what they would like to find under the tree.
Oak Park
Breakfast Lunch or Tea with Santa at the Elizabeth F. Cheney Mansion in Oak Park
The Cheney Mansion
220 North Euclid
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 383-2612
www.cheneymansion.com/
Santa Event and Hours 2012:
Saturday, December 1st, Breakfast - 9 am;
Lunch - 11:30 am; Tea - 2:30pm
Admission: $22 residents per person adults and any age children;
$25 non-residents
Want to go to a Santa event that offers something different for the kids? Take them to a breakfast, lunch or even a tea at the Elizabeth F. Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. Designed by the architect Charles E. White, Jr. in the style of a gracious old English Country home, it is located in the historic district of Oak Park. This is a good chance to see how the “upper crust” lived and experienced Christmas. The event includes live music, as well a model train layout. Of course you will have breakfast, lunch or even sip tea with Santa in very elegant surroundings. It would be appreciated if you would bring a children's toy or gift which will go to a local charity.
The Cheney Mansion at Christmas time
Palatine
Photos with Santa on a Harley in Palatine
City Limits Harley-Davidson
2200 North Rand Road
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 358-2112
www.citylimitshd.com
Santa Event and Hours 2012:
Sunday, December 16th, 2012 Times11 am to3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
Has Santa traded in his sleigh and reindeer for a Harley? Come in and bring the kids to see the Big Old Guy and find out. He will be will be in Palatine where children get a free photo on a Harley. There will be small Christmas stockings with sweets for the young ones, hot cocoa, cookies and hot apple cider for mom and dad.
Santa knows what this young man would like for Christmas
St. Charles
Sing-Along with Santa in St. Charles
Steel Beam Theatre
Childrens Stage
111 W. Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
(630) 587-8521
www.steelbeamtheatre.com
For additional information or to purchase tickets online click on the above link.
Santa Event and Hours 2012:
Saturday November 17th, 24th, December 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd
Sunday November 18th, 25th, December 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd
Times: Saturdays: 10:30 am and 1 pm; Sundays: check with the box office
Admission: $15 adults & $10 children under 16, seniors over 62 $15
Have you heard Santa sing? This is a very interactive show written and directed by Lori Holm, where everyone is part of the fun. The show runs every weekend starting November 17th through December 23rd. The kids will get to talk personally with the old guy and they are sure to leave with visions of not only sugar plums but of the upcoming holiday as well.
Please note—all of the above events are subject to change without notice