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Pictures with Santa in Chicago: From Museums to the Mall

Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
11/15/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

There are so many options for classic pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season. You can get pictures with Santa at Wrigley Field or grab some pizza with him in Darien. If you prefer the traditional mall Santa pictures, you can find him at 900 N. Michigan, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, and so many more spots. City dwellers seem to love getting their pictures with Santa at Macy's, while suburbanites flock to Bass Pro Shop for their Santa photos experience. 

While you're making your holiday schedule, don't forget to check out the Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago or Nutcracker performances throughout the city and suburbs. Check out our Must-Do Christmas Events in Chicago, and lots of other seasonal ideas in our Guide to Holidays and Christmas Activities. 

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Meet with an old-fashioned Santa! Photo courtesy of the Driehaus Museum
Meet with an old-fashioned Santa! Photo courtesy of the Driehaus Museum

Holiday Events Featuring Santa Pictures in Chicago

Santa at the Driehaus Museum

Downtown
Saturday, December 14
The Driehaus Museum hosts visits with Santa so kids can tell him if they are naughty or nice and take a selfie. Tickets are required and are sold in 15 minute increments. READ MORE

Sensory Sensitive Cookies with Santa at Cheney Mansion

Oak Park
Wednesday, December 18
Santa joins families of children with special needs for cookies at Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. Bring your wish list and a camera to snap a selfie with Santa. Activities will be available for kids to participate in while they wait for Santa. READ MORE

Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration

Hyde Park
Saturday, December 7
The Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration is back for 2024! The event is presented by the University of Chicago in partnership with Downtown Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, and the South East Chicago Commission. Lots of free events are planned, including an ice carving demonstration, self-guided ice sculpture stroll, free photos with Soul Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday crafts, costumed characters, and dance performances.    READ MORE

Villa Park Joyful Traditions

Villa Park
Saturday, December 7
Families can visit food vendors, meet characters like an elf, Mickey Mouse, or The Cat in the Hat, and ride a trolley. Santa will arrive via fire truck, and kids can visit a petting zoo, take a pony ride, or enjoy food from food trucks. READ MORE

JULMARKNAD

Andersonville
Saturday, December 7- Sunday, December 8
Visit the Swedish American Museum for its annual Christmas Bazaar for a selection of holiday crafts for sale. Santa will be on hand to visit children, who can also watch folk dancers and a St. Lucia procession. READ MORE

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Wheaton's W Tent

Wheaton- FREE
Saturdays, December 7-21
Did you make the nice list this year? If so, come visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at the W Tent in Downtown Wheaton. They visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first two Saturdays of December, and from 2 to 4 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. READ MORE

Tree Lighting at Wilder Park

Elmhurst - FREE
Thursday, December 5
Trees sponsored by community organizations, families, and groups of friends will be lit at the Tree Lighting in Wilder Park. The event also includes a visit from Santa, holiday music and games, and treats from local food trucks. READ MORE

Pizza with Santa

Burr Ridge
Friday, December 9
Santa is coming to Burr Ridge! Kids can visit with Santa while eating pizza, decorating a sugar cookie, making crafts, and playing games. Santa will be available for pictures from 6pm to 7:30pm. READ MORE

A Visit with Santa at Gladstone Park

Rogers Park - FREE
Friday, December 13
Take a picture with Santa. Then, have fun with some holiday crafts, games, and treats. READ MORE

Hot Cocoa with Santa at Valley Forge Park

Garfield Ridge - FREE
Monday, December 9
Take a picture and enjoy a cup of cocoa and a cookie with Santa. The event also includes holiday crafts, games, and arm painting. READ MORE

Breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Deaf Santa at Archer Park

Archer Park
Sunday, December 8
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing or children of deaf and hard of hearing adults can enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they speak American Sign Language. Sibling are welcome! READ MORE
Santa is ready for his close-up at Chicago malls and Santa events. Photo credit: 900 N Michigan Shops.
Santa is ready for his close-up at Chicago malls and Santa events. Photo credit: 900 N Michigan Shops.

Best Pictures with Santa at Chicago Malls

Santa's Winterland Workshop at Gallagher Way

Wrigleyville- FREE
Thursdays through Sundays, December 6-22
Santa visits the friendly confines each weekend in December. Kids can meet Santa for a photo near the CD Peacock entrance lobby or bring their pets to meet Santa. READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Oakbrook Center

Oak Brook
November 15- December 24
Visit Santa on The Lawn at Oakbrook Center where his elves have decorated for the holidays so that families can take pictures! Kids will get a free personalized phone call from Santa when they make a reservation. READ MORE

Santa at Bass Pro Shops Bolingbrook

Bolingbrook
Daily through December 24
Santa is meeting kids in a safe and fun environment at Bass Pro Shops this holiday season. Families can schedule their visit with Santa, which will include photo packages, free reindeer glasses, and a craft kit to take home. READ MORE

Santa at Chicago Ridge Mall

Chicago Ridge
November 17- December 24
Santa is available in a merry setting to take photos and for kids to share their Christmas lists this year at Chicago Ridge Mall. Santa will be at Kohl's Court with picture packages starting at $33.99. READ MORE

Santa Photo Experience at Orland Square Mall

Orland Park
Daily through December 24
Orland Square Mall hosts visits with Santa. Kids will receive a free digital from Santa when their parents make a reservation online. READ MORE

The Santa Experience at Yorktown Mall

Lombard
November 16- December 24
Santa will be sitting in his big chair at Yorktown Center for pictures during regular shopping hours. There is no fee to sit with Santa, but professional photo packages are available starting at $34.95.  READ MORE

Fashion Outlets of Chicago’s Photos with Santa

Rosemont
November 15- December 24
Fashion Outlets of Chicago invites visitors to experience the magic of the holiday season with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland. Santa will be at Fashion Outlets of Chicago beginning Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24, and is located on Level One, near the food court. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase.  READ MORE

Santa Visits at the 900 N Michigan Shops

Magnificent Mile
November 23- December 23
Santa visits the 900 N Michigan Shops for reserved time slot photo sessions with kids. Visits include a digital picture download and special treat from Santa. Santa will give each child a special gift while supplies last in the winter wonderland set where pictures are taken. READ MORE

Visit with Santa at Macy’s State Street

Downtown
Daily through December 24
Bring your list to visit with Santa at Macy's on State Street. Travel through Santaland on the fifth floor to get to the man in red for your photo. Macy's can even accommodate special requests for children with a specific vision of Santa-- Black Santa is on hand Fridays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. READ MORE

Santa Photo Experience at Woodfield Mall

Schaumburg
Daily through December 24
Woodfield Mall hosts visits with Santa. Parents should make reservations in advance to receive a personalized photo from Santa for this ultimate holiday tradition READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Fox Valley Mall

Aurora
Daily through December 24
Santa will be available for visits, or kids can drop a letter in Santa's mailbox at Fox Valley Mall on the lower level near Macy's. Make reservations to get a free phone call from Santa before your visit.. READ MORE

Santa at Cabela's Hoffman Estates

Hoffman Estates
Daily through December 24
Santa is meeting kids in a safe and fun environment at Bass Pro Shops this holiday season. Families can schedule their visit with Santa, which will include photo packages, free reindeer glasses, and a craft kit to take home. READ MORE

Santa at Cabela's Hammond

Hammond
Daily through December 24
Santa is meeting kids in a safe and fun environment at Bass Pro Shops this holiday season. Families can schedule their visit with Santa, which will include photo packages and a craft kit to take home. READ MORE

Santa at Bass Pro Shops Gurnee

Gurnee
Daily through December 24
Santa is meeting kids in a safe and fun environment at Bass Pro Shops this holiday season. Families can schedule their visit with Santa, which will include photo packages and a craft kit to take home. READ MORE

Santa & Me Photos at The HIP!

Norridge
November 16- December 23
Sleigh over to Harlem Irving Plaza (The HIP) for a picture with Santa Claus. Photo packages start at $22 and each child will receive a backpack. READ MORE

Pictures with Santa at Northbrook Court

Northbrook
November 15- December 24
Santa Claus is in town, embarking on adventures with families at Northbrook Court. Join him for a magical memory. Kids will get a free personalized digital message from Santa when their parents make a reservation. READ MORE

Lincolnwood Town Center Photos with Santa

Lincolnwood
December 1- December 24
Lincolnwood Town Center is offering photo experiences with Santa Claus for kids of all ages on Chicago's northwest side. Reservations are encouraged to prevent crowding, and Santa will designate times for cookie breaks each day. READ MORE

Santa's Naperville Workshop

Naperville
December 2- December 22
Santa's outpost at the Naperville Riverwalk is open for guests to visit and take pictures with the jolly old elf. Some nights are designated as special needs nights or veterans' nights and require special reservations. The line queues outside, so please dress for the weather. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Walker Park Recreation Center