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Paradise Bay Water Park will cool you down all day. Photo courtesy of the Lombard Park District
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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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Pictures with Santa in Chicago: Where to See Santa in Chicagoland

Take your pictures with Santa at the 900 N Michigan Shops. Photo courtesy of the shops
Take your pictures with Santa at the 900 N Michigan Shops. Photo courtesy of the shops
11/25/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Ready for some classic pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus this holiday season? You can get pictures with Santa in Chicago at Wrigley Field or catch a movie with him in Woodridge. If you prefer the traditional mall Santa pictures, you can find him at Water Tower Place, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, and so many more spots (see below for our favorites!). City dwellers seem to love getting their pictures with Santa taken at Macy's, while suburbanites flock to Bass Pro Shop for their Santa photos experience. 

While you're making your holiday schedule, don't forget to check out one of our favorite light shows or Nutcracker performances throughout the city and suburbs. There are plenty of free ways to celebrate the holidays in and around Chicago, and lots of other seasonal ideas in our Guide to Holidays and Christmas Activities. 

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Meet with an old-fashioned Santa! Photo courtesy of the Driehaus Museum
Meet with an old-fashioned Santa! Photo courtesy of the Driehaus Museum

Take Pictures with Santa at These Experiences

Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival at Cantigny

Saturday, December 3—Wheaton
Holiday fun is growing at Cantigny, where families can enjoy holiday decorations throughout the park, or pop in to the Education Center to snap a photo with Santa. Mrs. Claus will be telling stories at the Visitors Center Theater. Listen to Christmas, classical, and fiddle music selections performed by Wheaton College students at the First Division Museum. Sleigh rides will take visitors on a tour of the grounds. READ MORE

Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Deer Park Town Center

Saturday, December 3 and Saturday, December 10—Deer Park
Reserve a time to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Deer Park Town Center during the first two Saturdays in December. Each child will get a pair of reindeer antlers to take home. Please take your own pictures; a photographer is not on hand. READ MORE

Santa at the Driehaus Museum

Saturday & Sunday, December 4 & 5—Downtown
The Driehaus Museum hosts visits with Santa so kids can tell him if they are naughty or nice and take a selfie. Join Aunt Holly and Elf Amy next door at the Murphy Auditorium, who will lead you in a round of story and song. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Pizza with Santa

Friday, December 9—Burr Ridge
Santa is coming to Burr Ridge! Kids can visit with Santa while eating pizza, decorating a sugar cookie, making crafts, and playing games. Santa will be available for pictures from 6pm to 7:30pm. READ MORE

Storytime & Cookies

Saturday, December 10—Niles
Family and friends can join together to celebrate the start of Christmas season with magical storytime, music from a DJ, facepainting, a balloon twister, crafts, and activities. Take a free photo with Santa Claus. READ MORE

Cookies with Santa at Cheney Mansion

Sunday, December 11—Oak Park
Santa joins families for cookies at Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. Bring your wish list and a camera to snap a selfie with Santa. READ MORE

Movie with Santa at Hollywood Boulevard

Sunday, December 11—Woodridge
Families can enjoy a screening of Elf with their favorite elf: Santa Claus. This year, Santa will be joined by Rudolph, Clarice, and the Abominable Snowman. Kids can write a letter to Santa and receive a response, enjoy holiday decorations, and have a professional photo taken with Santa. READ MORE

Santa Spectacular

Friday, December 17—Burr Ridge
Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit Burr Ridge Village Center to visit with families. Hot cocoa, donuts and live reindeer will entertain kids as they wait to meet the man in red. READ MORE

Santa's Wintery Wonderland

Friday, December 17—Glendale Heights
Santa will visit with kids in his wintery wonderland by the fireplace at the Glen, where he will listen to Christmas wishes. While kids wait their turn to visit Santa, they can have a snowball fight with elves and visit Santa's workshop to view decorative windows. READ MORE
Santa's Winterland Workshop photo courtesy of Gallagher Way
Santa's Winterland Workshop photo courtesy of Gallagher Way

Best Pictures with Santa at Local Malls

Santa's Winterland Workshop at Gallagher Way

Daily through December 18—Wrigleyville
Santa visits the friendly confines each weekend in December. Kids can meet Santa for a photo near the Marquee Gate, participate in wreath-making workshops, or bring their pets to meet Santa. READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Oakbrook Center

Daily through December 23—Oak Brook
Visit Santa on The Lawn at Oakbrook Center where his elves have decorated for the holidays so that families can take pictures! Reservations are encouraged. READ MORE

Santa at Bass Pro Shops Bolingbrook

Daily through December 24—Bolingbrook and Hoffman Estates
Santa is meeting kids in a safe and fun environment at Bass Pro Shops this holiday season. Families can schedule their visit with Santa, which will include photo packages and a craft kit to take home. READ MORE

Santa at Chicago Ridge Mall

Daily through December 24—Chicago Ridge
Santa is available in a merry setting to take photos and for kids to share their Christmas lists this year at Chicago Ridge Mall. Santa will be at Kohl's Court with picture packages starting at $33.99. READ MORE

Santa Photo Experience at Orland Square Mall

Daily through December 24—Orland Park or Schaumburg
Orland Square Mall hosts visits with Santa. Parents should make reservations in advance for this ultimate holiday tradition READ MORE

The Santa Experience at Yorktown Mall

Daily through December 24—Lombard
Santa will be sitting in his big chair at Yorktown Center for pictures during regular shopping hours. There is no fee to sit with Santa, but professional photo packages are available starting at $34.95.  READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Fashion Outlets of Chicago

Daily through December 24—Rosemont
Santa is coming to town this holiday season and he's vaccinated! Families can take photos with Santa on a  set at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. The experience offers guests a variety of photo packages in addition to a mailbox where children can drop off their letters to Santa.  READ MORE

Santa Visits at the 900 N Michigan Shops

Daily through December 24—Downtown
Santa visits the 900 N Michigan Shops for reserved time slot photo sessions with kids. Visits include a digital picture download and special treat from Santa. Santa will give each child a special gift while supplies last in the winter wonderland set where pictures are taken. READ MORE

Santa Pictures at Water Tower Place

Daily through December 24—Downtown
Visit the decked halls of Water Tower Place and get a picture with Santa. Reservations are encouraged, but there is no need to decide which photo package to order in advance. READ MORE

Visit with Santa at Macy’s State Street

Daily through December 24—Downtown
Bring your list to visit with Santa at Macy's on State Street. Travel through Santaland on the fifth floor to get to the man in red for your photo. Macy's can even accommodate special requests for children with a specific vision of Santa-- Black Santa is on hand Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. READ MORE

Santa Photo Experience at Woodfield Mall

Daily through December 24—Schaumburg
Woodfield Mall hosts visits with Santa. Parents should make reservations in advance for this ultimate holiday tradition READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Fox Valley Mall

Daily through December 24—Aurora
Santa will be available for visits, or kids can drop a letter in Santa's mailbox at Fox Valley Mall on the lower level near Macy's. Make reservations to get a free phone call from Santa before your visit.. READ MORE

Santa at Cabela's Hoffman Estates

Daily through December 24—Hoffman Estates
Santa is meeting kids in a safe and fun environment at Bass Pro Shops this holiday season. Families can schedule their visit with Santa, which will include photo packages and a craft kit to take home. READ MORE

Santa at Cabela's Hammond

Daily through December 24—Hammond
Santa is meeting kids in a safe and fun environment at Bass Pro Shops this holiday season. Families can schedule their visit with Santa, which will include photo packages and a craft kit to take home. READ MORE

Santa at Bass Pro Shops Gurnee

Daily through December 24
Santa is meeting kids in a safe and fun environment at Bass Pro Shops this holiday season. Families can schedule their visit with Santa, which will include photo packages and a craft kit to take home. READ MORE

Photos and Visits with Santa at The HIP!

Daily through December 24—Norridge
Sleigh over to Harlem Irving Plaza (The HIP) for a picture with Santa Claus. Photo packages start at $19.99 and each child will receive a backpack. READ MORE

Pictures with Santa at Northbrook Court

Daily through December 24—Northbrook
Santa Claus is in town, embarking on adventures with families at Northbrook Court. Join him for a magical memory. READ MORE

Santa at Spring Hill Mall

November 25 - December 24—West Dundee
Santa arrives the Friday after Thanksgiving at Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee. Receive a free phone call from Santa when you reserve online in advance. READ MORE

Lincolnwood Town Center Photos with Santa

December 1 - December 24—Lincolnwood
Lincolnwood Town Center is offering photo experiences with Santa Claus for kids of all ages on Chicago's northwest side. Reservations are encouraged to prevent crowding, and Santa will designate times for cookie breaks each day. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Walker Park Recreation Center