When you talk about children with special needs you’ll find that covers a wide range of disabilities that can be mental, physical and so much more. Special needs children have many disorders to deal with. They can include such things as epilepsy, autism, blind and vision impairment, deafness and hearing loss, down syndrome, spina bifida, mitochondrial disorders, ADD/ADHD, and numerous other conditions little ones have to endure.
Kids with special needs not only require lots of physical care but also lots of love. It’s really difficult for parents of these children to have to stand in line and wait to see Santa Claus, so "special events" really fill a need. These Santas serve every child, with special needs. which is why these events give special meaning to Christmas and the Holiday Season.
While many malls don’t have specific Santa events planned for special needs children, if you call the mall management office normally you can make arrangements with them for visits for children or groups of children.
(Days and Hours for all events listed below are subject to change)
Photo courtesy Special Kids Holiday Event
Aurora
Santa on the Blackberry Farm Holiday Express on Special Needs Night Friday December 6th, 2019
Sponsor: Fox Valley Park District
Train is located at: Blackberry Farm
100 S. Barnes Road
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 892-1550 for additional information Times: Friday Dec.6th, 5pm to 8pm
tickets online beginning mid-Nov. - avoid lines at the ticket window
www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
Cost: $7.00 admission - under two free
Blackberry Farm is having a Special Need Night just for children with special needs. The farm will be all lit up for the season with thousands upon thousands of twinkling lights. Families and the special needs children can ride on the “Blackberry Farm Holiday Express.” Enjoy a great trip on the train which chugs its way around Lake Gregory before returning to the old-fashioned depot where you will meet Santa at the Early Streets Museum. Please note, this event is now sold out.
Santa at the Special Needs Holiday Celebration for the
Autism Family Foundation
Saturday, December 21st, 2019
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Sponsor: Autism Family Foundation
Event at: Stonebridge Country Club 2705 Stonebridge Blvd Aurora, IL 60502 On-line registration begins and closes Nov. 20th Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT www.autismfamilyfoundation.net (630) 803-8471 This is a special event for special needs children and their siblings to visit with Santa Claus, enjoy refreshments, make crafts and celebrate the holiday season. The first 100 local special needs children—including siblings that RSVP will receive a confirmation that they have a reserved spot for this event which is held on a Saturday in December every year.
Berwyn
Santa on the Polar Express Storytime Train
for Families with Children who have Special Needs
Saturday, December 14th, 2019
Time: 12:45pm to 3:15pm (Train departs at 12:55pm)
Trips departs: Berwyn Metra Train Station
6801 Windsor Avenue - Oak Park Avenue & Windsor
Berwyn, IL 60402
between Grove and Oak Park Avenues
Sponsor: WSSRA - West Suburban Special Recreation Association
(847) 455-2100
www.wssra.net
Pre-registration required - tickets are limited
Cost: $15.30 - 11 years & older; $8.15 - 10 years and younger
This train trip is only for families of children who have disabilities and are members of West Suburban Special Recreation Association. Children take a real train ride, but make an imaginary trip to the North Pole (actually the Aurora train station). The delightful Polar Express story is used as the basis for the trip and will be read. Santa will join everyone at the North Pole and will be part of the joyful ride home. Light refreshments will be served and wheelchair seating is available. This popular trip fills up quickly.
Calumet City
Sensitive Santa at River Oaks Center
Sunday, December 3rd, 2017
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Sponsor: River Oaks Center
River Oaks Center Drive
Calumet City, IL 60409
(708) 868-5574
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT Sensitive Santa, held on the first Sunday in December is an opportunity for children with special needs and their families to enjoy a photo session with Santa. Extra care has been taken to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children so they can enjoy this wonderful holiday tradition. While the event is free, there is a charge for photo packages.
Elmhurst
Santa at Special Kids Holiday Event
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(630) 530-7700
Cost: 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. Santa at the Special Kids Holiday Event is a TOP 10 SANTA EVENT IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
Photo courtesy Special Kids Holiday Event
Gurnee Mills
Caring Santa at Gurnee Mills Mall
Sunday, December 8th, 2019
Time: 9am - 11am
Sponsor: Gurnee Mills Mall
6170 Grand Avenue
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 263-7500
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Caring Santa, held on a Sunday in December, provides a subdued and welcoming environment at Gurnee Mills for children with special needs and their families to visit Santa. While the event is free, there is a charge for photo packages.
Graphic courtesy Simon Malls
Naperville
Santa at Special Needs Nights at Riverwalk in Naperville
December 2nd, 3rd & 4th and December 12th, 2019 Time: 5 pm - 8 pm Sponsor: Naperville Park District Santa House location
Jackson Ave. & Webster St. (along the Riverwalk)
Naperville IL 60540
www.napervilleparks.org
Advance reservations must be made: (630) 848-5000
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
One of the most important events at the Riverwalk Santa House is the Special Needs Nights. This is three evenings set aside for children with special needs and their families where they can visit Santa by appointment, so that there is no long wait. Santa and his helpers go all out to make this a special time for the children and their families. Space is limited and this event is very popular. Reservations are now full for all nights.
Santa Claus at the Riverwalk in Naperville Photo courtesy Naperville Park District
Orland Park
Caring Santa at Orland Square
Sunday, December 1st, 2019
Time: 8am - 9:30am
Sponsor: Orland Square Mall
428 Orland Square Drive
Orland Parke, IL 6462
(708) 349-1646
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Caring Santa, held on the first Sunday in December, provides a subdued and welcoming environment at Orland Square for children with special needs and their families to visit Santa. While the event is free, there is a charge for photo packages. This event is sold out.
Graphic Care of Orland Square Mall
Schaumburg
Caring Santa at Woodfield Mall
Sunday, December 8th, 2019
Time: 8am -10am
Sponsor: Woodfield Mall
Event at: the multi-sensory Ice Palace
Woodfield Mall
Golf Road at Route 53
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 330-1537
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT - photo packages available for purchase -This event is sold out
Sometimes, the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season isn't the best thing for special-needs children. Woodfield Mall has set aside a special time and days for families with special needs who want to have a more calm encounter & visit with Santa. While the event is free, there is a charge for photo packages.
Graphic courtesy Simon Malls
