Story Time with Santa
and Mrs. Claus
Every child loves a story, especially Christmas stories which stimulate their imagination and keeps alive the wonderful thoughts of the coming holiday season, leading up to the big day—Christmas! This is that special time of the year for children and stories help add to the magic of the season. They enjoy listening to everything from the great classics including Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” to newer stories such as the Dr. Seuss tale, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” to the famous Chris Van Allsburg book, “The Polar Express” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by Charles M. Schulz”. Very few people remember “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was first a story written by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward in 1939—ten years before the song came out. And of course, who can forget everyones all-time favorite, Clement Clarke Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas”.
Listed are events in the Chicago area that have Story Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus or in some cases just Story Time with Mrs. Claus. These are places where kids can enjoy the books they love the most.
Story Time with Santa is a favorite for children
photo courtesy Bob Yingst www.bobyingst.com
Barrington
Holiday Bedtime Stories with Mrs. Claus and Santa
Tuesday , December 6th and Wednesday , December 7th, 2011
Sponsor: Barrington Park District
Event at: Citizens Park–Pavilion
511 Lake Zurich Road
Barrington, IL 60010
www.barringtonparkdistrict.org
For information: (847) 381-0687
Pre-registration required
Times: Both Days 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm and 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm
Cost: $10 residents - $12 non-residents, parents are free
For children ages 1–7 with parent
The little ones can wear their pajamas and enjoy a night they won’t soon forget. Mrs. Claus will be reading some of your favorite Christmas stories by the fireplace. There will be milk and cookies—and don’t be too surprised if old Santa Claus shows up. Be sure to bring a camera.
Crystal Lake
Christmas Bedtime Stories with Mrs. Claus
Tuesday, December 6th & 13th
Friday, December 9th & 16th 2011
Sponsor: Crystal Lake Park District
Event at: Rotary Building
Veteran Acres Park
431 N. Walkup Road
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
www.crystallakeparks.org
reservations required
To book: (815) 459-0680, ext 218
Time: 7 pm - 8pm
Cost: $13 residents - $19 non-residents
Note: For children ages 2-7 only. Children must be at least two years old.
Wear your pajamas and bring a blanket for a night of Christmas songs and stories with Mrs. Claus. Refreshments will be served. Santa will also be stopping by.
Stories with Mrs. Claus at the Crystal Lake Public Library
Monday December 5th and Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Sponsor: Crystal Lake Public Library
Event at: 126 W. Paddock Street
Ames Room
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
www.crystallakelibrary.org
For information: (815) 459-1687
Registration & tickets required
tickets are available at the Youth Services Desk.
Times: 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm both nights
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Come to the library and meet Mrs. Claus who will be reading Christmas stories. There will be songs and treats for everyone.
Elk Grove Village
Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Elk Grove Village
Tuesday, December 13th 2011
Sponsor: Elk Grove Park District
Event at: Garden Terrace Room
1000 Wellington Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
www.elkgroveparks.org
reservations required
(847) 437-9494
Time: 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Cost: $5 child; $3 adult, if purchased in advance
Note: tickets at the door are $2 more per person
An exciting evening has been put together by the Elk Grove Park District. Mrs. Claus will be reading some of her favorite holiday stories, all the children get to make a craft and have some hot chocolate and everyone gets to talk to and have a picture with Santa Claus.
Elmhurst
Storytime with Santa in Elmhurst
Saturday December 18th 2010
Sponsor: Serene Teaz
Event at: 8 West Park Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
www.sereneteaz.com
registration required
For information or to register: (630) 833-8329
Time: 10 am - 11:30 am
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Come in and listen as Santa Claus, a gifted storyteller reads the children some of the holiday classics.
Glenview
Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Glenview
Saturday December 3rd 2011
Sponsor: The Book Market at Hangar One
Event at: 2651 Navy Boulevard
Glenview, IL 60026
www.theglentowncenter.com
For information : (847) 904-7304
Time: 10 am - 11 am
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the Book Market at Hanger One where Mrs. Claus will be reading some of the holiday classics. Santa will also be there to hear what the children would like to find under the tree and for picture taking. Be sure to bring a camera—every child will receive a special gift.
Gurnee
Share a Story with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Gurnee
Thursday December 15th 2011
Sponsor: Rink Side Family Entertainment Center
6152 West Grand Avenue
Gurnee, IL 60031
www.rink-side.com/
For information : (847) 856-1064
Time: 11:30 am
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Both Santa and Mrs. Claus will be here in December for pictures and to read a holiday story. A slice of pizza or a hot dog and Kool-Aid, plus 10 game tokens will be available for $3.
Joliet
Santa at Holiday Fun at the Joliet Public Library
Friday, November 25th 2011
Sponsor: Joliet Public Library
150 North Ottawa Street
Joliet, IL 60432
www.joliet.lib.il.us
For information: (815) 740-2660
Time: 12 Noon to 5 pm
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
The Library’s activities include crafts, a sing along, plus you’ll also receive a pair of free “Light Up the Holidays” commemorative glasses. There will be “Reading with Santa” at noon, 2 pm and 4 pm. Remember to bring a camera to get the kids pictures with the bearded man.
Storytime with Santa in Joliet
Wednesday, December 14th 2011
Sponsor: Joliet Public Library
3395 Black Road
Joliet, IL 60431
www.joliet.lib.il.us
For information: (815) 740-2660
For pre-schoolers
Time: 1 pm to 2 pm
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Come and listen to holiday stories, enjoy cookies and snacks and then it's time for the kids have a chat with Santa and for you to get pictures of them with the old guy. Don't forget to bring a camera.
Lisle
Story Time and Cookies with Mrs. Claus in Lisle
Saturday, December 10th 2011
Sponsor: Lisle Park District
Meadows Center
Board Room
5801 Westview Lane
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 969-0992
www.lisleparkdistrict.org
Registration required
For children ages 4 to 8
Time: 1 am to 1 pm
Cost: Residents: $25; non-residents: $40
The little ones will love this event—Mrs. Claus is going to read the Night Before Christmas, then the kids are going to help her decorate and eat cookies and drink cocoa. They will also make a Christmas ornament to take home and put on the tree and sing Christmas songs.
Mrs. Claus in Lisle
Lombard
Story Time with Mrs. Claus at Yorktown Shopping Center
Tuesday, November 29th, December 6th & 20th 2011
Sponsor: Yorktown Shopping Center
Lower Level - Center Court
Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 629-7330
www.yorktowncenter.com
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Come and bring the little ones to meet Mrs. Claus who is going to read stories on three Tuesdays during the holiday season.
Mundelein
Story Time with Santa
Sunday, December 4th, 2011
Sponsor: Mundelein Park & Recreation District
Event at: Community Park Chalet
888 Dunbar Road
Mundelein, IL 60010
www.mundeleinparks.org
For information: (847) 566-0650
Pre-registration required
Time: 1 pm
Cost: $7 residents - $10
For children ages 1–8 with parent or supervision
No need to wait in line at a mall—bring the kids in for snacks and a story with Santa. Santa will read “The Night Before Christmas” in front of our real fireplace. There will be plenty of time to get your holiday photos so remember to bring your camera.
Oak Forest
Mrs. Claus Story Hour and Visit with Santa in Oak Forest
Sunday, December 4th, 2011
Sponsor: Oak Forest Park District
Event at: Central Park Building
15601 S. Central Avenue
Oak Forest, IL 60452
www.oakforestparks.org
For information: (708) 687-7270
Registration by November 28th required
Time: 1 pm to 3 pm
Cost: $10 per family
Enjoy a delightful and entertaining afternoon of holiday stories with Mrs. Claus while having cookies and milk. Santa Claus will be there as well, so be sure to have your camera with you.
Park Ridge
Stories and Cookies with Mrs. Claus
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Sponsor: Park Ridge Park District
Event at: Maine Park Leisure Center
2701 W. Sibley Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Reservations required
For information: (847) 692-5127
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: $12 residents; $23 non-residents
Note: This event is for children ages four to nine
It’s ok to wear your pajamas, or to bring a favorite animal and a blanket for this special evening of stories, songs and cookies with Mrs. Claus in Park Ridge.
Plainfield
Hear the Polar Express Story and Visit with Santa
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Sponsor: Plainfield Park District
Event at: Four Seasons Park
Lockport Street
Plainfield, IL 60435
For information: (815) 436-8812
www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com
Registration required
Times: There are 10 one half-hour programs running from 4:30 pm until 9:30 pm
Cost: $7 residents - $10.50 non-residents
This isn’t exactly a train trip, actually it’s a hay wagon ride to the North Pole! The story of The “Polar Express" the book by Chris Van Allsburg is read along the way. When the children arrive they are met by Santa Claus and his elves. Pictures can be taken and every child receives a gift of a silver bell. In addition, cookies and cocoa are served by the campfire before the journey .
Shorewood
Stories with Santa in Shorewood
Thursday, December 15th 2011
Sponsor: Shorewood-Troy Public Library
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404
http://www.shorewood.lib.il.us/
reservations required
For information: (815) 725-4368
Time: 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Note: Event is for children ages nine and under
Be sure to bring the children out for a great evening of stories with Santa, craft making and holiday treats. Santa Claus will be at the library to read a holiday classic as well as to hear what the little ones would like for Christmas. There will be time for picture taking, so don’t forget your cameras.
Stories with Santa in Shorewood
St. Charles
Candy Cane Hunt & Mrs. Claus Reads The Night Before Christmas
Saturday, December 17th, 2011
Sponsor: St. Charles Park District
Event at: Pottawatomie Community Center
8 North Avenue
St. Charles, IL 60174
www.st-charlesparks.org
Reservations required
For information: (630) 513-6200
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
Cost: $15 residents; $22.50 non-residents
Note: This event is for children ages two and up
There will be a whole lot of excitement this morning. There will be a candy cane hunt, cookie decorating, hot chocolate and time for a holiday craft. Then the children visit with Mrs. Claus who will read everyone's favorite, “The Night Before Christmas”. Be sure to bring a camera.
Tinley Park
The Mrs. Claus Story Hour in Tinley Park
Sunday, December 18th 2011
Sponsor: Tinley Park Park District
Event at: Tony Bettehhausen Recreation Center
8125 W. 171st Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477
www.tinleyparkdistrict.org
reservations required
For information: (708) 342-4200
Time: 3 pm
Cost: $5 per person
$7 for each 5 x 7
Bring the family and listen to Mrs. Claus who will be reading some of your favorite holiday and Christmas classics. There will be milk and cookies and a whole lot of fun.
Winfield
Storytime with Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus in Winfield
Thursday, December 8th 2011
Winfield Public Library
0S291 Winfield Road
Winfield, IL 60190
www.winfield.lib.il.us
Additional information: (630) 653-7599
To book: Tickets at circulation desk in Library
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Storytime with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Come and listen to wonderful holiday stories read by Mrs. Claus and have your picture taken with Santa Claus.
Woodridge
Santa's Bedtime Stories in Woodridge
Sunday, December 18th, 2011
Sponsor: Woodridge Park District
Event at: Community Center
2600 Center Drive (Hickory-Oak)
Woodridge, IL 60501
www.woodridgeparks.org/
reservations required
To book: (630) 353-3300
Age: 1 - 8 years old
Times: 6 pm to 6:45 pm and 7:15 pm to 8 pm
Registration required
Cost: $9 residents $13 non-residents
It’s ok to wear your pajamas, when you come to Santa’s Bedtime Stories. There will be a candy cane hunt and the kid’s will listen to their favorite Christmas stories, plus there will be a snack of milk and cookies. Every child gets to tell Santa his Christmas wishes and then has a picture taken with the jolly old elf.
Please note—all of the above events are subject to change without notice