Get those wishlists ready because Santa is in Chicago! As kids tell Santa what they want for Christmas, it’s a great time to get some great photos for your holiday cards, photo albums, and to post on social media. Many locations even offer special events for things like holiday pj’s, ugly sweaters, and pets for some extra special photos.
Unless otherwise indicated, visiting with Santa is free. Most locations offer photography packages and do not allow you to take photos with your own camera. Please keep in mind that Santa takes breaks; where the information was available I included scheduled break times, but if they are not listed please inquire with the location regarding break times.
There is also a Special Needs Santa Guide, a guide of specially designated times for children with special needs and their families to visit with Santa.
900 North Michigan Shops, 900 N. Michigan, Chicago
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday from noon-6:00 pm; Sunday from noon-5:00 pm
- Virtual queue; must be present to register. Queue may fill up, but you can not register for the next day.
- Photo packages available for purchase.
Bass Pro Shops, 709 N. Janes Avenue, Bolingbrook, 6112 Grand Avenue, Gurnee
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Friday
- 3:00 pm-8:00 pm from December 1-8
- 10:00 am-8:00 pm from December 8-23
- Saturday 10:00 am-8:00 pm
- Sunday 10:00 pm-5:00 pm
- Special hours:
- Tuesday, December 24 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm
- Photos daily including December 24.
- FREE pictures with Santa, additional activities available.
- Bass Pass gives you a virtual place in line. A limited number of Bass Passes are available each day.
CherryVale Mall, 7200 Harrison Avenue, Suite 5, Rockford
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday 10:00 am-9:00 pm, with breaks from 1:00-2:00 pm and 5:00-6:00 pm.
- Sunday 11:00 am-6:00 pm, with a break from 2:00-3:00 pm.
- Special hours:
- Sunday, December 22 from 11:00 am-8:00 pm
- Monday, December 23 from 9:00 am-10:00 pm
- Tuesday, December 24 from 8:00 am-5:00 pm
- Photos daily through December 24.
- Purchase a FastPass online to save time.
- Photography packages are available for purchase.
- Pet nights on Monday, December 2, 9, and 16 from 6:00-9:00 pm. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.
- Santa Cares on December 8 from 9:00 am-11:00 am. Register online.
Chicago Ridge Mall, 444 Chicago Ridge Mall, Chicago Ridge
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday
- 10:00 am-8:00 pm (with breaks from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm) through December 8
- 10:00 am-9:00 pm (with breaks from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm) after December 9
- Sunday
- 11:00 am-6:00 pm (with breaks from 2:30 pm-3:00 pm) through December 9
- 10:00 am-8:00 pm (with breaks from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm) after December 9
- December 24 from 9:00 am-6:00 pm
- Photography packages are available for purchase.
- Pet nights on Friday, December 6 and 13 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.
- Soothing Santa on Sunday, December 8 from 9:00 am-11:00 am; reservations required.
- Signing Santa on Monday, December 16 from 9:30 am-11:30 am.
CTA Holiday Train, various locations
- See website for detailed schedule.
Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont
- Read about our experience at Santa HQ at Fashion Outlets of Chicago in 2017.
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Thursday 11:00 am-8:00 pm.
- Friday-Saturday 10:00 am-9:00 pm.
- Sunday 10:00 am-7:00 pm; 10:00 am-9:00 pm after December 14.
- Special hours:
- Tuesday, December 24 10:00 am-6:00 pm.
- Pet photos with Santa on December 2, 9, & 16 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Cats and dogs only; must be on a leash or in a carrier.
- Reservations are available but not necessary. Photo packages are available. Free gift from Santa.
- Santa HQ is an interactive experience.
Golf Mill Shopping Center, 239 Golf Mill Center, Niles
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Saturday
- November 30 and December 7 from 10:00 am-8:30 pm (break 3:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- December 14 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm (break Noon-1:00 pm)
- December 21 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm (break Noon-1:00 pm and 4:00 pm-5:00 pm)
- Sunday
- 11:00 am-6:00 pm (break 2:30 pm-3:00 pm) through December 8
- December 15 from 10:00 am-7:00 pm (break 2:30 pm-3:00 pm)
- December 22 from 10:00 am-7:00 pm (break 3:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- Monday-Thursday
- December 2-5 from 10:00 am-8:00 pm (break 3:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- December 9-12 from 10:00 am-8:30 pm (break 3:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- December 16-19 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm (break Noon-1:00 pm and 4:00 pm-5:00 pm)
- Friday
- December 6 from 10:00 am-8:30 pm (break 3:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- December 13 from 10:00 am-9:00 pm (break 3:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- December 20 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm (break Noon-1:00 pm and 4:00 pm-5:00 pm)
- Special dates:
- Monday, December 23 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm (break Noon-1:00 pm and 4:00 pm-5:00 pm)
- Tuesday, December 24 from 8:00 am-6:00 pm (break 1:00 pm-2:00 pm)
Gurnee Mills Mall, 6170 Grand Avenue, Gurnee
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Friday from 11:00 am-8:00 pm.
- Saturday
- 10:00 am-8:00 pm
- December 7 & 14 from 10:00 am-8:30 pm
- Sunday
- Noon-6:00 pm
- December 8 from 11:00 am-6:00 pm
- Monday-Thursday
- 11:00 am-8:00 am
- Special times:
- December 16-23 10:00 am-8:30 pm.
- December 24 from 8:00 am-6:00 pm.
- Reserve a FastPass online to save time in line.
- Photography packages available for purchase.
- Pet Photos with Santa on Sunday, December 15 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
- Caring Santa on Sunday, December 8 from 9:00 am-11:00 am. Register online.
Harlem Irving Plaza, 4104 N. Harlem Avenue, Norridge
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am-9:00 pm, Sunday from 11:00 am-6:00 pm.
- Photography packages available for purchase.
Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Photo packages available for purchase. Fast Pass available.
- Soothing Santa on December 1 from 9:00 am-10:30 am. Register online.
- Pet photos on December 5 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm.
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 23, 2019.
- Friday through Sunday until December 14; daily from December 15-23.
- 4:30 pm-9:00 pm.
Lincolnwood Town Center, 3333 W. Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Photos available through December 24. Hours vary.
- Photography packages available for purchase.
- Sensitive Santa on December 1 & 8 from 9:00-11:00 am.
Louis Joliet Mall, 3340 Mall Loop Drive, Joliet
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday
- 10:00 am-8:00 pm (breaks 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm) through December 8.
- 10:00 am-9:00 pm (break from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm) after December 8.
- Sunday
- 11:00 am-6:00 pm (break 2:30 pm-3:00 pm) through December 8.
- 10:00 am-8:00 pm (break 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm) after December 8.
- December 24 from 9:00 am-6:00 pm.
- Photo packages available for purchase.
- Pet photos on Friday, December 6 and Friday, December 13 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.
- Signing Santa on Monday, December 16 from 5:00 pm-6:30 pm.
- Soothing Santa on Sunday, December 8 from 9:00 am-11:00 am
Macy’s Santaland, 111 North State Street, Chicago
- Santa has arrived and will be around through December 24, 2019.
- Saturday
- 8:00 am – 8:00 pm through November 30
- 9:00 am-9:00 pm on December 7
- 8:00 am-9:00 pm on December 14
- Sunday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm through December 1
- 9:00 am-7:00 pm on December 8
- 8:00 am-9:00 pm on December 15
- Monday
- 10:00 am – 7:00 pm through December 2
- 10:00 am-8:00 pm on December 9
- 8:00 am-9:00 pm on December 16
- Tuesday-Thursday
- 9:00 am – 8:00 pm until December 12
- 8:00 am-9:00 pm from December 17-19
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 9:00 pm until December 13
- 8:00 am-9:00 pm on December 20
- Special hours:
- Saturday, December 21-Monday, December 23 from 7:00 am-9:00 pm
- Tuesday, December 24 from 7:00 am-4:00 pm.
- Photo packages available for purchase.
Northbrook Court, 2171 Northbrook Court, Northbrook
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday from Noon-8:00 pm (break from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- Sunday from Noon-6:00 pm (break from 2:30 pm-3:00 pm)
- Special hours:
- December 14-23 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm (break from Noon-12:45 pm and 3:45 pm-4:30 pm)
- December 24 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm (break from 12:30 pm-1:30 pm).
- Photography packages available for purchase. Reservation available with purchase.
- Pet photos on Mondays from December 16 through December 17 from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm.
Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
- Read about our experience visiting Santa’s pavilion at Oakbrook Center in 2017.
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am-8:00 pm (break from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm).
- Sunday from 11:00 am-6:00 pm (break from 3:00 pm-3:45 pm).
- Special hours:
- November 30 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm (break from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm)
- December 14-21 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm (break from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm)
- Sunday, December 23 from 9:00 am-9:00pm (break from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm)
- Monday, December 24 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm (break from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm)
- Photo packages available for purchase.
- Pet photos on Monday, December 16 from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm.
Orland Square Mall, 288 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Thursday
- 10:00 am-8:30 pm through December 3
- 10:00 am-9:00 pm after December 3
- Friday
- 10:00 am-9:00 pm through December 6
- 9:00 am-9:00 pm on December 13
- Saturday from 10:00 am-9:00 pm
- Sunday
- 11:00 am-7:00 pm through December 1
- 11:00 am-8:00 pm on December 8
- Special hours:
- December 15-23 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm.
- December 24 from 8:00 am-6:00 pm.
- Photography packages available for purchase.
- Reservations available.
- Caring Santa on December 1; register online.
- Pet photos on December 8 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.
Santa House at Naperville River Walk, Jackson Avenue & Weber Street, Naperville
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Open to the public on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 16; and December 14-21.
- Friday from 4:30 pm-8:00 pm.
- Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 pm-6:00 pm.
- December 14-21 from 4:30 pm-8:00 pm.
- Special needs reservations are full.
- Military/First Responders on Tuesday, December 10 from 4:30 pm-8:00 pm. Reservations required.
- Photographs available for purchase.
Santa Hut in Woodstock Square, Woodstock Square, Woodstock
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Limited hours to be announced soon.
- No photographer on site; bring your own camera.
Spring Hill Mall, 1072 Spring Hill Mall, West Dundee
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday 10:00 am-9:00 pm (break from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm)
- Sunday 11:00 am-6:00 pm (break from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm)
- Tuesday, December 24 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm (break from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm)
Stratford Square Mall, 152 Stratford Square, Bloomingdale
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday
- Noon-7:00 pm (break from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm) before December 14
- Noon-8:00 pm (break from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm) beginning December 16
- Sunday from Noon-6:00 pm (break 3:00 pm-3:30 pm) before December 14
- Saturday-Sunday from 10:00 am-8:00 pm (break Noon-12:45 pm and 3:45 pm-4:30 pm) beginning December 21.
- Tuesday, December 24 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm (break 12:30 pm-1:30 pm).
- Photography packages available for purchase.
- Pet Night on Mondays from through December 16 from 5:00 pm-close.
Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center, Aurora
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am-9:00 pm (break from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm and 5:00 pm-6:00 pm)
- Sunday from 11:00 am-6:00 pm (break 2:00 pm-3:00 pm)
- Photo packages available for purchase.
- Soothing Santa on December 1 from 9:30 am-11:00 am.
Winter Wonder Market at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago
- Santa arrives November 30 and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Thursday from 11:00 am-5:00 pm.
- Friday-Sunday from 11:00 am-6:00 pm.
- Tuesday, December 24 from 11:00 am-3:00 pm.
Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Monday-Friday
- 10:00 am-9:00 pm through December 5
- 9:00 am-9:00 pm from December 9-12
- 9:00 am-10:00 pm from December 16-19
- Friday
- 10:00 am-9:00 pm through December 6
- 9:00 am-10:00 pm on December 13
- 8:00 am-11:00 pm on December 20
- Saturday
- 8:00 am-9:00 pm through November
- 9:00 am-9:00 pm on December 7
- 9:00 am-10:00 pm on December 14
- Sunday
- 11:00 am-6:00 pm through December 1
- 10:00 am-7:00 pm on December 8
- 9:00 am-8:00 pm on December 15
- Special hours:
- December 20-23 from 8:00 am-11:00 pm
- December 24 from 8:00 am-4:00 pm
- Photography packages available for purchase.
Yorktown Center, Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road, Lombard
- Santa arrived and will be available through December 24, 2019.
- Santa is available during normal mall hours.
- Pet photos with Santa on Mondays through December 16. (Visitors with allergies should visit Tuesday-Sunday.)
- Santa Cares on December 8 from 7:30 am-9:30 am.
