Santa Houses in Chicagoland
and Northern Illinois
In recent years “Santa Houses” have grown in popularity in many cities and towns. The reason for this is chambers of commerce and business organizations have found having a Santa in a house in the downtown business district is a good way to keep families shopping locally rather than losing the business to a malls in a neighboring city. You’ll find fourteen Chicagoland and Northern Illinois cities and towns that have well publicized Santa Houses. Some of these have been in operation for many years and are a great favorite with area families.
Antioch
Santa at His Home in The Enchanted Castle in Antioch
Toft Street
Antioch, IL 60002
(847) 395-2233
Santa Castle location:
downtown on Toft Street
it can be reached from Lake and Orchard Streets
Santa Enchanted Castle Days and Hours 2011:
Friday, November 25th through Friday, December 23rd
Monday through Friday 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday 1 pm - 4 pm
Note: On Friday, November 26th, Santa will visit children 7 pm until 8 pm following the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - There is a photographer and a charge for photos with Santa which is used to cover the cost of maintaining Santa's Castle or you can take own.
On Friday, November 25th, children can meet with Santa following the Holiday Parade and tree lighting ceremony which begins the Christmas season in Antioch. The parade starts at 6:30 pm and ends at Santa’s Enchanted Castle on Toft Street with the lighting of the tree at the village hall. Santa will be seeing the kids at his home in the Enchanted Castle all the way through December 23rd.
Chicago
Santa and Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza
Daley Plaza
50 W. Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602
www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/mose/santa_house.html
UL Santa House Days and Hours: November 23rd - December 24th, 2011
Santa House Days and Hours: 2011 November 23th - Dec. 24th
Wednesday - November 23rd - 6 pm - 8 pm
Thursday - November 24th Thanksgiving Day - 11 am - 4 pm
Fridays, Saturday s, and Sunday s November 25th through December 23rd
11 am - 8 pm—Santa takes a break from 3 pm to 4 pm on these days only
Saturday - December 24th Christmas Eve - 11 am - 4 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - UL is offering free photos in the Santa House. You can take your own pictures.
You’ll find jolly old St. Nick in the heart of downtown Chicago in the gaily decorated Santa House near the 85-foot tall Christmas tree in Daly Plaza. Santa’s house shares the Plaza with the authentic Christkindlmarket, a month long open air traditional German holiday market, where you can enjoy native foods, crafts and shopping from over forty vendors in timber booths. There’s plenty of holiday entertainment and cheer for both adults and children at this winter wonderland.
More information on the Christkindlmarket can be found at their website: http://www.christkindlmarket.com/
Santa and Christkindlmarket at Daly Plaza is a TOP 10 SANTA EVENT IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
Santa Claus at the Santa House, Daley Plaza - Photo courtesy Mayor's Office of Special Events
Crystal Lake
Santa House at the Brink Street Market Crystal Lake
Downtown Crystal Lake/Main Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(815) 479-0835
downtowncl@sbcglobal.net
Santa House location
Brink Street Market
near the clock at Brink & Williams Streets
in Downtown Crystal Lake
Santa House Days and Hours 2011:
The Crystal Lake Santa House opens the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 25th 2011 and will remain open through Friday, December 23rd as follows:
Thursdays & Fridays - 6 pm - 8 pm
Saturdays 10 am - 3 pm
Sundays noon - 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - There is no photographer on site so be sure and bring a camera.
Where do you think you’ll find Santa in Crystal Lake—at the Santa House, where else? Stop by and see the guy who brings all the presents in his great little place. He’s ready for the kids to visit him and naturally Santa just can’t wait to all their their wants and desires.
Santa Claus his House at Brink Street Market
Photo courtesy Downtown Crystal Lake
DeKalb
Santa at the Santa House in DeKalb
Sponsor: Re:New Dekalb
Santa's House Van Buer Plaza
Corner of North 2nd & East Locust Streets
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 748-7788
www.renewdekalb.com
Santa House Days and Hours 2011:
Saturday December 3rd, 10th & 17th
11 am to 2 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT- Be sure and bring your camera, there is no photographer on site.
Santa will be at his house in DeKalb for three Saturdays in December waiting to see the children and to find out what they would like to find under the tree on Christmas morning.
Downers Grove
Santa at the Santa House Downers Grove Downtown
Sponsor: Downers Grove Downtown
Santa's House
Corner of Main & Curtiss Streets.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 725-0991
www.downtownDG.org
Santa House Days and Hours 2011:
Saturday and Sunday November 26th & 27th, December 3rd & 4th, 10th & 11th, & 17th & 18th - 12 Noon to 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Be sure and bring your camera, there is no photographer on site.
If your are planning to be in Downers Grove, remember to bring the children to see Santa in his downtown home . In addition to Santa, every Saturday, there will be Christmas carolers and other groups performing downtown.
Fox Lake
Santa at Santa's Christmas Cottage in Fox Lake
Millennium Park
Grand & Rollins Rds.
Fox Lake, IL 60020
(847) 587-3944 free event
www.foxlake.org/Parks
Santa House Days & Hours 2011:
Weekends - December 2nd
through Sunday, December 18th
Fridays - 5 pm - 8 pm
Saturdays - 1 pm - 3 pm
Sundays - 12 noon to 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - A photographer is not available at the Santa House so be sure and bring a camera.
Visit with Santa during the Christmas season and have children's pictures taken.
Geneva
Santa’s Gingerbread House in Geneva
Sponsor: Geveva
Chamber of Commerce
Corner of James & 3rd Streets
Geneva, IL 60438
(630) 232-6060
www.genevachamber.com
Santa House Days & Hours 2011:
Santa’s house opens on Friday evening December 2nd, at 6:30 pm and he will be there starting Tuesday, December 6th, through Tuesday, December 20th as follows:
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Saturdays 11 am - 3 pm
Sundays 1 pm - 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
Don’t forget to bring the kids to Santa’s Gingerbread House in Geneva. There is no photographer on site so be sure to have your camera with you.
Lansing
Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Santa House in Lansing
Sponsor: Lansing
Chamber of Commerce
Lake & Henry Sts.
Lansing, IL 60438
(708) 474-4170
Santa House Days & Hours 2011:
Santa opens the house on Friday, November 25th, at 6 pm and he will be there through Monday, December 20th.
Mondays & Fridays: 6: pm - 8 pm
Saturdays December 3rd & 17th1 pm - 3 pm
The Santa House will be closed on Saturday, December 10th - Santa & Mrs. Claus will be at Thornton Fractional South High School Breakfast with Santa that day.
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - There is no charge to see Santa, photographs are $4 each .
Children who come to see Santa and Mrs. Claus at their house will receive a special treat.
Santa Claus at the Santa House in Lansing
Photo courtesy Lansing Chamber of Commerce
Lombard
Santa's House in Lombard
Sponsor: Lombard Park District
Lilacia Park
150 S. Park Avenue
Lombard, IL 60148
620-7322
www.lombardparks.org
Santa House Days and Hours 2011:
Friday, December 9th & 16th; Saturday, December 3rd,10th & 17th and Sunday, December 11th & 18th - 6 pm to 8 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
You’ll find Santa Claus in Lilacia Park in the Coach House waiting for the children and anxious to find out what they would like for Christmas. The trees in the park will be aglow with thousands of holiday lights, you’ll find animated light shows, a huge gingerbread house, as well as train rides for the kids on the Gold Medal Express. Be sure to have your camera with you.
Mundelein
Santa & Mrs. Claus at Santa's Cottage in Mundelein
Sponsor: Mundelein MainStreet
Park Street & Seymour Avenue
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 970-9235
www.mundeleinmainstreet.org
Santa House Days & Hours 2011: Opens 6:30 pm - 8 pm, Friday, December 2nd
(after tree lighting ceremony)
Saturday, December 3rd, 10th & 17th: 12 noon - 3 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - A photographer is not available at the Santa House so be sure and bring a camera.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet children and guests of all ages in his unique Cottage in Mundelein.
Naperville
Santa at Riverwalk in Naperville
Naperville IL 60540
(630) 848-5000
www.napervilleparks.org
Santa House location
Jackson Ave. & Webster St.
(along the Riverwalk)
Santa House Days and Hours 2011:
Fridays December 2nd, 9th & 16th - 5 p.m. - 8 pm
Saturdays December 3rd, 10th & 17th - Noon - 6 pm
Sundays December 4th, 11th & 18th - Noon - 6 pm
Thursday December 15th - 5 p.m. - 8 pm
Monday through Thursday December 19th - 23rd - 2 pm - 8 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Photos are available for purchase in the Santa House for $8 or two for $15, cash or check only or you can take your own pictures.
Naperville residents and families from surrounding communities flock to the little red, white and green house at the Riverwalk every December. This is where they will find Santa ready to meet the little ones and listen to their Christmas wishes.
Every year two favorite events are Special Needs Nights and Pet Night. Special Needs Nights at Santa House, an evening for children with special needs and their families, will be held on Monday, December 5th through Thursday, December 8th 2011 from 5 pm - 8 pm Visits are arranged by appointment to ensure a minimal wait time and an enjoyable experience for the entire family. Reservations, which are required, can be made by calling 630-848-5000. Please note that space is limited.
Pet Night at Santa House, presented by Naperville Animal Hospital, will be held on Thursday, December 1st, 2011 from 5 pm - 8 pm This is your chance to make your dog or cat part of the family holiday celebrations this year. Santa has a treat for each pet. Reservations also are required for this event. Please call 630-848-5000 to reserve your space.
Santa at Riverwalk in Naperville is a TOP 10 SANTA EVENT IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
Sycamore
Santa’s House in Sycamore
Sponsor: Discover Sycamore
DeKalb County Courthouse Lawn
At the intersection of Route 64 & Route 23
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 985-3456
Santa House Days and Hours 2011: Fridays 5 pm to 7 pm, Saturdays 11 am to 2 pm; Sundays 12 Noon to 2 pm, December 3rd through December 19th
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - A photographer is not available at the Santa House so be sure and bring a camera.
You’ll find Santa in Sycamore on three weekends in 2011 waiting to talk to the kids and wanting to hear what they would like for Christmas.
Wheaton
Santa's Playhouse in Wheaton
Playhouse 111
111 N. Hale Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
1-630-682-0633
www.downtownwheaton.com
Santa House Days and Hours 2011: Saturday, November 26th
& December 3rd, 10th & 17th 10 am - 1 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT - Photos are available for purchase in the Santa House or you can take your own pictures.
Children can whisper their wishes in Santa's ear while having their picture taken.
Please note—all of the above events are subject to change without notice