santa events

See Santa when you pick out your tree

tree cutting

The perfect time to see Santa is when you pick up your tree this year. See where you can do both at the same time here.

More santa events

Say “cheese” with Santa

Have your picture taken with Santa this year. Don't miss the opportunity to capture an image with Santa that you won't forget anytime soon. Find Places

Santa's Favorite Cookies
Sign up and get recipes for Santas favorite cookies. Just enter your name and email address below and they will be emailed to you.

Free Santa Events in Chicagoland and Northern Illinois

Santa in Chicago

There are hundreds of free Santa events all over the Chicago area and Northern Illinois. To make it easy to find any free events when you are scanning through the the Santa listings look for the headline: FREE SANTA EVENT . Please note, while events may be free often you’ll have to pay for parking, pictures—if a photographer is present, and many other things you may not have considered.

While all shopping malls have free Santas to attract shoppers, they underwrite the cost by charging you for photographs and videos. While most malls and other Santa events allow you to take your own pictures, there are a few that ban personal camera and video equipment. It’s always a good idea to check things out ahead of time. If you are on a tight budget, go to an event where free pictures are allowed. Also, keep in mind, not every event offers Santa photos so it’s always a good idea to have a camera with you.

Two of the free Santa Events that we recommend are:

Santa and Christkindlmarket
at Daley Plaza

Photo Courtesy Chicago Office of Tourism

Santa at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Photo Courtesy Lincoln Park Zoo