The big man in red is back in town, and considering he’s checking his list not once but twice, it might be worth you checking, ahem, this list a few times to orchestrate a very special meeting between your kiddo and Kris Kringle. That’s right: the season of wonder calls for a visit with Mr. Claus—if only to ensure that you’re off the naughty list for 2022 (if you need some help with that, consider this list of feel-good volunteer opportunities!). Whether you want a few Instagram-worthy photos or a quick check-in with the North Pole’s toy manufacturer-in-chief, here’s where to find Santa Claus this holiday season in Chicago

Related: Timber Time! Christmas Tree Farms to Spruce Up Your Holiday

1. Santa at the Gazebo in Aurora

Santa will be visiting Millennium Plaza in Aurora on the first two Saturdays in December. Stop by Santa at the Gazebo from 1-3pm and receive a free photo download.

Dates: Dec. 3 & Dec. 10

21 S. Stolp Ave.
Aurora
Online: auroradowntown.org

2. Santa at the 900 North Michigan Shops

Santa loves hanging out in his cozy cottage on Level 3 of the 900 North Michigan Shops, and welcomes kids to share their wish lists every day throughout the holiday season. 2022 visits with Santa will be by reservation only, 11-6pm daily, and cost $50.

Dates: Nov. 19-Dec. 24

900 N. Michigan Ave., Level 3
Mag Mile
Online: shop900.com

3. Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops is once again offering the Santa’s Wonderland Christmas-themed events including a free 4x6 studio-quality photo with Santa and a free digital video greeting card to share on social media plus free giveaways. Advance reservations are required for all stores. 

Dates: Nov. 5-Dec. 24

Various locations around Chicagoland
Online: basspro.com

4. Santa at Fashion Outlets of Chicago

Santa’s winter wonderland is landing at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, near the food court, so you can meet the man in red and holiday shop ‘til you drop. Visits with Santa are always free at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago (with photo packages available for purchase.) Reservations are recommended to help reduce wait time. Pre-book now and received a free personalized call from Santa powered by the Portable North Pole. All guests who pre-book and purchase a photo package get a free, personalized video from the North Pole after the visit. Pet nights are Nov. 21, 28, and Dec. 5 from 4-7pm.

Bonus: Join Santa at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Sun., Dec. 4, 10-11:15am for a sensory-friendly visit with Santa for all ages and abilities, without sensory triggers like lights, music or crowds.

Dates: Nov. 18-Dec. 24

5220 Fashion Outlets Way
Rosemont
Online: fashionoutletsofchicago.com

5. Photos with Santa at Gallagher Way

As part of Gallagher's Winterland festivities, kids can take photos with Santa in his workshop for free. The experience is even open to pets on Sundays.

Dates: Nov. 25-Dec. 18

3635 N. Clark St.
Lakeview
Online: gallagherway.com

6. Lunch with Santa Cruise on Lake Michigan

Delight the whole family with a special lunch with St. Nick himself. Everyone will love holiday music, kid-friendly treats and endless onboard entertainment that brings the magical season to life.

600 East Grand Ave.
Navy Pier
Online: cityexperiences.com

7. Meet Santa at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Zoolights

ZooLights returns Sat., Nov. 19, transforming Lincoln Park Zoo into a twinkling winter wonderland. This treasured Chicago holiday tradition illuminates the zoo with dazzling lights and dynamic displays. General admission for Zoolights is $5. Tickets to free admission Mondays will be released the Tuesday prior at 11am each week.

Dates: Select dates, Nov. 19-Jan. 1

2001 N. Clark St.
Lincoln Park
Online: lpzoo.org

Related: The Ultimate List of Free Things to Do in Chicago with Kids This Month

8. Santa at Macy's State Street

Santa is a busy, busy man this time of year, so make a reservation to meet and snap a pic with him at the iconic Macy's State Street. If you can't join in person, set off on an interactive online journey through the North Pole with Santaland At Home, beginning Nov. 25.

Dates: Nov. 5-Dec. 24

111 N. State St.
Loop
Online: macys.com

9. Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier

Kids can jump on the Enchanted Choo-Choo to explore Santa’s Merry Main Street, where they can share their holiday wishes with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and meet Santa’s friends, neighbors, street performers, and toymakers. Photo opportunities abound. Huts throughout make up a European-style market of seasonal wares, novelties treats, and unique holiday gifts. Visit Jolly Olde Post Office, where they can post a letter to Santa.

Dates: Nov. 25-Jan. 7

600 E. Grand Ave.
Navy Pier
Online: navypier.org

10. Santa at North Riverside Mall

The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s workshop. Santa will be located in Center Court. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase.

Dates: Now through Dec. 24

7501 W. Cermak Rd.
North Riverside
Online: northriversideparkmall.com

11. Santa Visits at Oakbrook Center

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa loves shopping at Oakbrook Center when he’s not busy at work in the North Pole. Take a moment to share your wishlist with him. Pet nights on Nov. 21, 28, and Dec. 5 from 4-7pm. Santa Cares sensory-friendly visits on Dec. 4 from 9-10am (reservations required.) Book online to receive a free phone call from Santa too.

Dates: Nov. 17-Dec. 24

100 Oakbrook Center
Oak Brook
Online: oakbrookcenter.com

12. Magical Christmas at Santa’s Village

Begin your holiday season with a drive-thru light show experience at Santa’s Village. Drive through the park and enjoy over 2 million lights synchronized to music plus dazzling displays and meet Santa’s real reindeer. At the end of the route, you’ll have the opportunity to park, take photos with Santa Claus, and dig into delicious funnel cakes and hot chocolate.

Dates: Select dates, Nov. 25-Dec. 30

601 Dundee Ave.
West Dundee
Online: santasvillagedundee.com

13. Breakfast with Santa at Soldier Field

Families will feast on a lavish breakfast, visit with Santa to share some of their holiday wishes and participate in other fun activities. Adults ($56), Ages 4-12 ($28), Ages 3 & under (Free.) Bring a new unwrapped toy donation for the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation. To make a reservation, please call (312) 235-7063 or email SoldierFieldBistro@aramark.com

Dates: Dec. 3 at 10 a.m.

1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.
Museum Campus
Online: soldierfield.com

14. Santa's Pajama Jam at Southlake Mall

Southlake Mall is hosting a kids Pajama Party in the Center Court with special guests including Santa, Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf, and Rudolph. Kids are welcome to come in their pjs for a dance party, storytime, goodies, and more.

Dates: Dec. 17 at 2-4 p.m.

2109 Southlake Mall
Merrillville
Online: visitsouthlakemall.com

Related: Small and Local Toy Stores to Support This Holiday Season

15. Swissotel's Santa Suite

Chicago's Swissotel's 9th Annual Santa Suite and Santa Claus is ready to show off his swanky Chicago pad! Each year the Swissôtel Chicago Presidential Suite is transformed into Santa’s home-away-from-the-Pole for the holiday season. The suite offers sweeping views of the city, where Santa can closely monitor the weather patterns before his busy Christmas Eve and provides a cozy retreat for finalizing his naughty and nice list. Book a very exclusive private visit, or have breakfast with the jolly fellow on Dec. 10 or Dec. 11.

Dates: Select dates, Dec. 3-18

323 E Wacker Dr.
Loop
Online: swissotelchicagosantasuite.com

16. Sleigh It with Santa at Water Tower Place

Cap off a day of holiday shopping with a visit with Santa at Chicago's Mag Mile shopping hub. Visits are always free, but you can save 30% on your photos by pre-ordering a package online, where you’ll also receive a coupon for $30 to spend towards Tiny Prints! Pet photos are available on November 28 and December 5 from 4-7pm.

Dates: Nov. 18-Dec. 24

835 N. Michigan Ave., Level 7
Mag Mile
Online: shopwatertower.com

17. Tales From the Chair on Zoom

If waiting in long (and often frigid) lines for a 30-second photo opp isn't how you want to spend your hard-earned holiday time, consider one of the few amazing Christmas experiences to come out of the pandemic: a virtual Santa visit! And if you book with Tales From the Chair, you don't just get an audience with Saint Nick. You also get 20 minutes of one-on-one time with Mrs. Claus and a few elves. What makes this Zoom opportunity so special is that they make it a goal to see all families, no matter their financial situation. This year, they're introducing a sliding scale instead of set prices with a goal to raise enough that they can fund a day of fully-free Santa visits. If you can afford to donate, tip, or pay a little more, those dollars will go directly to financing this mission.

Dates: Select dates, Dec. 7-24

Online: talesfromthechair.christmas

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