Visiting Santa at a crowded mall can be overwhelming for any child (or even adults), and especially challenging for children with special needs. These events are designed with children with special needs and their families in mind. Events vary, but they attempt to accommodate sensitivities to crowds, noise, and lights as well as physical needs. Most require registration so plan ahead and it’s always a good idea to call before you go even if registration is not required.
Caring Santa – Orland Square Mall – Upper Level, Carson’s Court, 288 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park
- Sunday, December 1
- 8:00 am-9:30 am
- Registration required
Sensitive Santa – Lincolnwood Town Center, 3333 W. Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood
- Sunday, December 1
- 9:00 am-11:00 am
- Register online
Soothing Santa – Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center, Aurora
- Sunday, December 1
- 9:30 am-11:00 am
- Registration required
Soothing Santa – Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills
- Sunday, December 1
- 9:30 am-11:00 am.
- Register online
Special Kids Day – Wilder Mansion, 211 Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst
- Wednesday, December 4
- 3:30 pm-8:00 pm
- Free, no registration required
- Meet Santa for photos and gifts, face painting, music, activities
Santa Cares – Yorktown Center, Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road, Lombard
- Sunday, December 8
- 7:30 am-9:30 am
- Reservations can be made online.
Sensitive Santa – Lincolnwood Town Center, 3333 W. Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood
- Sunday, December 8
- 9:00 am-11:00 am
- Register online
Caring Santa – Gurnee Mills Mall, 6170 Grand Avenue, Gurnee
- Sunday, December 8
- 9:00 am-11:00 am
- Reservations required
Soothing Santa – Louis Joliet Mall, 3340 Mall Loop Drive, Joliet
- Sunday, December 8
- 9:00 am-11:00 am
- Reservations required
Santa Cares – CherryVale Mall, 7200 Harrison Avenue, Suite 5, Rockford
- Sunday, December 8
- 9:00 am-11:00 am
- Reservations required.
Soothing Santa – Chicago Ridge Mall, 444 Chicago Ridge Mall, Chicago Ridge
- Sunday, December 8
- 9:00 am-11:00 am
- Reservations required
Signing Santa – Chicago Ridge Mall, 444 Chicago Ridge Mall, Chicago Ridge
- Monday, December 16
- 9:30 am-11:30 pm
- Signing Santa will meet children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Signing Santa – Louis Joliet Mall, 3340 Mall Loop Drive, Joliet
- Monday, December 16
- 5:00 pm-6:30 pm
- Signing Santa will meet children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Special Needs nights at the Santa House – Naperville Riverwalk, Jackson & Weber, Naperville
- Reservations are full for 2019 season.
