Top 10 Santa Events in Chicagoland and Northern Illinois 2018
It's an almost impossible task to pick out the top 10 Santa Events in Chicago and Northern Illinois in 2018 from the many hundreds listed in this web directory. We think you'll agree all of the events chosen are major happenings and both children and adults will agree they are all-time Chicago area favorites. Also be sure to take a look at the "Top 10 Christmas Events in Chicagoland and Northern Illinois", that don't include Santa Claus.
Photo © Santa Claus Inc.
Brookfield
Santa at Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 688-8000
http://www.czs.org/czs/events
Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways.
Santa at Holiday Magic Days and Hours: 2018
Saturday & Sunday, December 1st & 2nd, 8th & 9th, 15th &16th. 22nd & 23rd. The Zoo opens at 10am the lights are on from 4 pm to 9 pm
Please note Santa will not be at Holiday Magic after Christmas, he is there through Sunday, December 23rd.
Admission: Regular zoo parking and admission fees apply. Holiday Magic is free for Zoo members. Photos are available for purchase or you can take your own pictures.
Brookfield Zoo is lit up in a blaze of close to a million beautiful lights during the Holiday Magic weekends when Santa and Mrs. Claus can be found there visiting with children. Besides the old guy , who will be at Candy Cane Corner, just some of the things to see and do include ice-carving demonstrations, live musical performances, the Elf Express mini train, storytellers, costumed characters and magicians. Holiday Magic includes over one-hundred gigantic light displays—and remember you’ll be at the zoo so don’t forget to look for some of your favorite animals! Many of the animal exhibits remain open during Holiday Magic.
On weekends in December there are Breakfasts with Santa at at the Brookfield Zoo for details click on the link above and scroll down to "Brookfield".
Mrs. Claus and Santa at Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Chicago
Santa at The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Presented by BMO Harris Bank
on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago
The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association
625 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 401
Chicago, IL 60505
(312) 642-3570
www.themagnificentmile.com
The Magnificent Mile on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue is a world renowned mile of shopping, hotels, dining, culture and entertainment. Every year in November “The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival®” is one of the premier holiday events in the Chicago area.
Date of Festival - Saturday, November 17th, 2018
Schedule of Events 2018:
11 am - 5 pm - Lights Festival Lane - Pioneer Court, 401 North Michigan Avenue - Get a picture with Santa, decorate a slice of cheesecake and more.
11 am - 3:45 pm - BMO Harris Bank stage - Pioneer Court, 401 North Michigan Avenue - Stop by for an afternoon of musical performances by top artists.
5:30 pm - 7 pm From Oak Street to Wacker Drive - Tree Lighting Parade and Procession down Michigan Avenue when the street comes to life, with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, marching bands, colorful floats and Santa Claus in all his glory.
6:57 pm - The Allstate Fireworks Spectacular over the Chicago River.
7 pm to 10 pm - Extended shopping hours at many of the Magnificant Mile stores.
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
When more than a million lights go on on the trees on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago you know the country's largest evening holiday celebration is officially under way. While there are so many competing festive happenings to experience all day, don’t forget to take the children to see Santa Claus at his booth in Pioneer Court.
Santa at The Magnificant Mile Lights Festival in Chicago
Santa at the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago
State Street from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Fax: (866) 397-4037
http://www.explorechicago.org/
The McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade date and times: 2018
Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 from 8 am to 11 am
The McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade is a: FREE SANTA EVENT
The Thanksgiving Parade has been a festive Chicago tradition since the Great Depression in 1933. You’ll find Santa and Mrs. Claus coming down State Street on their magnificant sled. there will be Ronald McDonald, holiday floats, marching bands, gigantic balloons, colorful entertainers, traditional carolers and much more, all making their way down the street in Chicago’s biggest holiday parade.
Santa on State Street at The McDonalds Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago
Santa Claus at Merry, Merry Chicago
Merry, Merry Chicago Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall Symphony Center 220 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 294-3000 cso.org
Welcome Yule! Performance Dates and Times: 2018
Dates and times T/B/A
Admission: Check with the CSO Box office for ticket prices & availability Note: This program recommended for children 5 and over - infants are not admitted
Merry, Merry Chicago is a wonderful way to get the children and the entire family in the Christmas spirit. Featured are members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and special guest Ashley Brown. Included in this festive celebration is the 160-member Chicago Children’s Choir, who will be performing holiday favorites. The children will love the sing-along and the beloved Christmas favorites. Of course Santa will be part of the joyous merriment. This concert will be approximately two hours and have an intermission.
© Todd Rosenberg Photography/Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Santa House at Millennium Park in Chicago
Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St. Chase Promenade (northeast corner)
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 744-3315
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/santa.html
Santa House Days and Hours: November 16th - December 16th, 2018
Friday - November 16th (Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony) - 12 Noon - 6pm
Saturday, November 17th & Sunday, November 18th - 12 Noon-6pm
Thursday, November 22nd (Thanksgiving Day) - 12 Noon-3pm
Saturdays & Sundays, November 24th - December 16th - 12 Noon-6pm
(The above Days and Hours are subject to change)
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - UL is offering free pictures with Santa or you can take your own pictures.
You’ll find jolly old St. Nick in the heart of downtown Chicago in the Santa House in Millennium Park on the days listed above.
Santa at The Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Millennium Park Near the intersection of Michigan & Washington
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 742-1168
www.millenniumpark.org
Date and time: 2018 of Tree Lighting: Friday, November 16th, 4:30pm
The Tree Lighting is a FREE SANTA EVENT For additional information click on this LINK
For over one hundred years the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Chicago has been a major holiday happening. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there with the mayor for the festive occasion. This gala event now in Millennium Park, is a great way to celebrate the official opening on the holiday season in Chicago.
Photo credit City of Chicago - laffy4k
Santa at Lincoln Park Zoo Zoolights
in Chicago
2200 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
www.lpzoo.com
Lincoln Park Zoo is located off Lake Shore Drive at the Fullerton Parkway exit, just minutes north of downtown Chicago. From I-94, exit at either Fullerton Parkway or North Avenue and go east.
Santa Days and Hours: 2018
• Friday, November 23rd to Sunday, November 25th: 4:30pm to 9pm
• Friday, November 30th to Sunday, December 2nd: 4:30pm to 9pm
• Friday, December 7th though Friday, December 21st: 4:30pm to 9pm
(The above Days and Hours are subject to change)
Note—while Santa is mostly at the Zoo on weekends, ZooLights festivities runs nightly November 25th through January 1st.
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - admission to the Lincoln Park Zoo is always free, including visits with Santa, photos are available for purchase or you can take your own pictures. Paid parking is available. Santa can be found inside the Kovler Lion House.
Tell Santa your wish list as lions and tigers watch. Come see the jolly old guy at Lincoln Park Zoo which transforms into a dazzling wonderland with a series of free seasonal festivities. Enter a winter wonderland illuminated by more than two million lights at Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco. This holiday classic has become one of the Windy City’s must-see seasonal events. Watch live ice carving then get out of the cold and into the climate conditions found in Africa, Asia, South America and Australia at the Regenstein Small Mammal Reptile House. Animal exhibits stay open late as guests roam the beautiful grounds, prepare family crafts and enjoy the zoo’s incredible animals immersed in an atmosphere unlike any other.
Santa at Lincoln Park Zoo - photo credit Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo Lights - photo credit Lincoln Park Zoo
Santa at Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier in Chicago
Family Pavilion Stage
(West End of Pier close to Imax)
600 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 606011
(312) 595-7437
www.navypier.com
Santa Days 2018
Saturday, December 1st - through December 24th
Packed with family fun, the annual Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier is Chicago’s biggest and best indoor winter playground featuring 170,000 square feet of rides, giant slides and Chicago Blackhawks Indoor Ice Skating Rink. General Admission and Activity Tickets on sale soon! Visit www.winterwonderfest.com for full event details.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at Navy Pier
Starting Saturday, December 1st, 2018 Santa and Mrs. Claus can be found at their home inside Winter WonderFest at the foot of the giant tree. Families and the kids will find them ready for photos and wish lists right through Christmas Eve.
Santa will be available for photos and wish lists:
December 1st through December 24th
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays 11 am to 6 pm
Mondays through Thursdays 11 am to 4 pm
Special Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve - Monday, December 24th - 10 am – 5 pm
Christmas Day - Tuesday, December 25th - CLOSED
(Days and Hours are subject to change)
Admission: Admission to Navy Pier is free - General admission tickets to Winter Wonderfest which includes visits with Santa are Available Here.
There is a professional photographer at the event who charges for photos, however you are allowed to take your own pictures if you don’t wish to purchase photos.
Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
In addition to Santa Claus at Navy Pier, 2018 is the 18th anniversary of Winter WonderFest which runs from December 1st through January 6th at Festival Hall.
Location: Navy Pier Festival Hall A & B
Winter WonderFest admission is $10. Ticket purchase required for rides and attractions. This is a great place for the kids to enjoy indoor fun and entertainment including ice skating, rides, along with spectacular Christmas lights and trees throughout.
Santa’s home at Navy Pier - photo courtesy
Mayor's Office of Special Events
Elmhurst
Santa at Special Kids Holiday Event
Wednesday, December 5th, 2018
Time: 3:30 pm - 8 pm
Sponsor: Special Kids Day Events
Event at: Wilder Mansion
211 Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
www.skd.org
Reservations are not required - for additional information email rich@specialkidsday.org
(630) 530-7700
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
Every year since 1990, on the first Wednesday in December over six hundred and fifty special needs children, with physical and developmental disabilities, and their families are treated to a delightful afternoon and evening where they get to bond with Santa Claus. The children have their picture taken, enjoy cookies and activities. There is a quiet room, a craft to make and take home, music, plenty of handicapped parking and trained volunteers to help everyone to enjoy all the festivities. This event has been growing in size and popularity every year.
photo courtesy Special Kids Holiday Event
Please note—all of the above events are subject to change without notice
