Offbeat, Unusual & Fascinating Chicago Area Santa Events
Santa on a Harley Stella Singleton Photo
Arlington Heights
Santa Sleigh 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk
Arlington Heights Rotary Club
Event Starts at: South Middle School
400 S. Highland Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
www.rotaryah.org/RotaryAH.nsf
Santa Event and Hours 2009:
Saturday, December 5th: 10 am
Entry Fees: $23 for those 12 and younger - $33 for anyone over 13 years old
The Rotary Club of Arlington Heights “Santa Sleigh 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk” is in its second year. This fund raising event will have up to four hundred Santa Clauses running and walking through the streets, something you won’t want to miss. One of the requirements is that everyone who participates wears a Santa outfit, yes that includes a white beard, which they receive before the fun begins. Seeing all those red suits at one time is sure to confuse young children watching the race—how will they ever know who is the real Santa? Anyone interested in being part of this event can find an on-line entry form at the Arlington Heights Rotary site listed above.
Chicago
Meet with Santa at Miracle on 34th Street
Theatre Building Chicago
Porchlight Music Theatre
1225 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL 60657
Single Ticket Purchases (773) 327-5252
Group Sales (312) 423-6612 or (866) 809-3075
Santa Holiday Show Days and Hours 2009 - 2010
November 22th through January 3rd, 2010
The show previews on Friday, November 20th
Opens Sunday, November 22nd with performances: Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays, 2:30 pm and 8 pm and Sundays 2:30 pm
Ticket Prices: Single tickets are $40.00, with student
and senior discounts available
Porchlight Music Theatre has created a new stage production of Miracle on 34th Street, based on the 1947 movie—one of the all time Christmas classics. The production combines the story about an old gentleman with a white beard, hired by Macy’s, who claims to be the real Santa Claus. With traditional Christmas music added to the mix , this show could be a real hit. What should give the show a real boost with the public is after each performance, children will be allowed to go on stage and meet and give Santa a hug. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera so they can get a picture. Anyone attending a performance will be able to sign up for a place in line before the show begins.
Breakfast with Tomten in Chicago
(Sweden's version of Santa)
Swedish American Museum
5211 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-8111 reservations required
www.samac.org
Santa Event and Hours 2009:
Saturday, December 12th - 9 am
Sunday, December 13th - 9 am
Admission: $15.00 for both children & adults - museum members, $10.00 for members and their children - Be sure and bring your camera, there is no photographer on site. Children under one are free.
Every Christmas Season, The Swedish American Museum and The Brunk Children's Museum's in the Andersonville area of Chicago host an annual Christmas Bazaar that features traditional Scandinavian and modern handicrafts, entertainment, and Breakfast with Tomten for the children. Tomten is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore and much like Santa Claus is a legend that grew, changed and expanded over time. The modern Swedish version comes from Viktor Rydberg's 1881 poem Tomten, where the Tomte is alone on a frosty Christmas evening pondering life’s universal mysteries. In the poem which was originally published in the Swedish magazine Ny Illustrerad Tidning the Swedish artist, Jenny Nyström created a picture of warm Tomten to go along with Rydberg's poem. He was an old man with a white beard who just happened to wear a red cap. Since that time Tomten has been part of the Swedish Christmas tradition in the same way that Clement Clarke Moore’s, “The Night Before Christmas” has shaped the American legend of Santa Claus. There will be a Swedish pancake breakfast, and of course, a special visit with Tomten at this event.
Santa at JASC’s Holiday Delight and Kodomo Matsuri
(Children's Festival) in Chicago
Japanese American Service Committee of Chicago
4427 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-7212
www.jasc-chicago.org
Santa Event and Hours 2009:
Saturday, December 5th, 10:30 am - 4 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
East meets West at the JASC’s Holiday Delight and Kodomo Matsuri. Santa is at this annual festival to see the children, have pictures taken and listen to what they would like for Christmas. At the same time the young ones can experience first hand Kodomo Matsuri, a traditional Japanese children’s festival. Here the kids get to learn about Japanese classical cultural performances and enjoy hands-on craft workshops. This holiday event offers a wide variety of Japanese and unique handcrafted goods and other gift items. You’ll find homemade baked foods and Japanese favorites such as teriyaki beef sticks, sushi and other gourmet delights.
Crete
Pictures with Santa at Balmoral Park
Racetrack in Crete
Balmoral Park
26435 S. Dixie Highway
Crete, IL 60407
(708) 672-1414
www.balmoralpark.com
Santa Event and Hours 2009:
Saturday, November 28th, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
Do you think Santa is trying to pay for all those toys by putting a few dollars down on the nags? Maybe he’s just tired of dealing with all the elfs making toys at the North Pole. Well sure enough you’ll find him at the track, but he’ll be listening to what the kids want on the big day. Doors open 5:30 p.m., first race at 7:20 p.m. Here's a great chance for the children to meet Santa while you enjoy an evening at the track.
Oak Park
Breakfast Lunch or Tea with Santa at the Elizabeth F. Cheney Mansion in Oak Park
The Cheney Mansion
220 North Euclid
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 383-2612
www.cheneymansion.com/
Santa Event and Hours 2009:
Saturday, December 5th, 2009, Breakfast - 9 am; Lunch - 11:30 am; Tea - 2:30pm
Admission: $20 per person adults and any age children
Want to go to a Santa event that’s offers something different for the kids? Younger children may not appreciate this as much as the older ones. Take them to a breakfast, lunch or even a tea at the Elizabeth F. Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. Designed by the architect Charles E. White, Jr. in the style of a gracious old English Country home, it is located in the historic district of Oak Park. While the Santa events are a little pricey this is a good chance to see how the “upper crust” lived and experienced Christmas. The event includes live music, as well a model train layout. Of course you will have breakfast, lunch or even sip tea with Santa in very elegant surroundings.
The Cheney Mansion at Christmas time
Palatine
Photos with Santa on a Harley in Palatine
City Limits Harley-Davidson
2200 North Rand Road
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 358-2112
www.citylimitshd.com
Santa Event and Hours 2009:
Sunday, December 20th, 2009 Times T/B/A
Admission: FREE SANTA EVENT
Has Santa traded in his sleigh and reindeer for a Harley? Come and bring the kids to see the Big Old Guy and find out. He will be will be in Palatine for photos on an all new 2009 Harley-Davidson. There will be treats and your chance to get a great photo.
St. Charles
Sing-Along with Santa in St. Charles
Steel Beam Theatre
Childrens Stage
111 W. Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
587-8521
www.steelbeamtheatre.com/09_santa.htm
Santa Event and Hours 2009:
Saturday November 21st, 28th, December 5th, 12th & 19th
Sunday November 22nd, 29th, December 6th, 13th & 20th
Times: 10:30 am and 1 pm
Admission: $12 adults & $10 children
Have you heard Santa and his elves sing? This is a show where everyone gets to join in the fun—weekends in late November through December 20th. You’ll get to talk with the old guy and the kids will leave with a bag full of holiday treats.
Please note—all of the above events are subject to change without notice
“Santa Photographers” and get some free gifts from Santa.