Chicago Area Special Needs Santa Guide

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

Sensitive Santa – Lincolnwood Town Center, 3333 W. Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood

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

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

Caring Santa – Gurnee Mills Mall, 6170 Grand Avenue, Gurnee

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

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. 

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